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Collecting copper wire for scrap isn’t an easy thing to do – nor is it quick.
That’s where wire stripping machines come in.
If you need to strip a lot of wire or you do so regularly, the right machine will save you a lot of time and make the process much more lucrative.
This guide runs you through some of best wire stripping machines on the market today, to help you decide which one is right for your budget.
Quick Picks
Here's 3 products we picked out that thought you would be interested in depending on your budget...
The Best Wire Stripping Machine with Reviews 2024
Here's a list of the best wire stripping machines we found on the market:
1. BLUEROCK Model WS-212 Wire Stripping Machine
- Weight: 200 lbs
- Max Wire Diameter: 1 1/2 in.
- Motor: 110V
- Channels: 9
- Speed: 75 ft/min
Pros
- Self-adjusts to different size wires
- Adjustable tension to extend the life of the blade
- Can cut 2 wires at the same time
- One of the fastest and effective models
Cons
- Expensive
- Much heavier than other options
- Minimal complaints from users
Overview
The best thing about the BLUEROCK Model WS-212 is that is self-adjusts. That means that you don’t have to adjust the settings everytime you change wire settings, which is a huge time saver. You can even cut 2 wires at the same time if you want. The user can adjust the tension to account for the jacket size which helps prolong the life of the blade. It’s designed to cut the tops and bottoms of large wire and the tops of smaller wire.
The BLUEROCK Model WS-212 is a heavy-duty automatic wire stripper. It’s great for a professional or anyone who always has a lot of wire to strip.
2. CopperMine Copper Wire Stipping Machine
- Weight: 6 lbs
- Max Wire Diameter: 1 1/2 in.
- Motor: n/a
- Channels: 1
- Speed: n/a
Pros
- Easy blade changes
- Adjustable wire clamps keep thin wires from slipping out of the blade
- Mounting holes to easily attach it to a workbench
- Works with any size drill
Cons
- Users have minimal complaints.
Overview
CopperMine’s wire stripping machine is the best manual one around. The frame is really durable and will last a really long time. Adjustable wire clamps allow you to keep even thin and soft wires from escaping the blade. You can either use the hand crank or the drill connector to turn the blade. Unlike most other manual strippers, this one is compatible with any size drill. That’s not all, it also includes a 1-year parts replacement warranty.
CopperMine describes this as a beginner’s wire stripping tool but it’s so effective, it works for just about anyone. It also comes with a 30-day satisfaction guarantee. If you don’t like it, they’ll refund the entire purchase price.
3. PENSON & CO. Automatic Motorized Electric Wire Stripping Machine
- Single Phase 1/4HP Motor runs off of any wall outlet
- Strips 14 gauge to 1-1/4" size wires.
- Stripping speed: Approx. 60 feet per minute
- Adjustable for precise and accurate cutting.
- Easy to use. Reliable. Quality guaranteed
Pros
- Works quickly and effectively
- Durable and tough
- Good quality for the price
Cons
- Can be difficult to adjust to the right size
- Very few complaints from users
Overview
The motorized cable stripper from PENSON & CO is perfect for stripping industrial grade wire. It’s fairly lightweight for an automatic wire stripper which makes it more portable than other options. You can easily adjust the distance between the blades depending on the size of the wire you’re working with. It’s really easy to use, too, just slip the wires into the feeding hole and the machine takes care of the rest.
PENSON & CO’s automatic wire stripping machine is powerful, portable, and reasonably priced. It’s great for home use and, if you have enough copper, can pay for itself in a few hours.
4. VEVOR Cable Wire Stripping Machine
Pros
- Excellent value.
- A wide stripping Range: Φ1.5mm~ Φ20mm with 10 Channels of Cutters.
Cons
Overview
Another great manual machine comes from VEVOR. It has 10 channels and 10 blades that can handle wires up to 1 1/2 inches in diameter. The blades are completely enclosed for safety and they’re adjustable so you can account for different types of coatings. This machine is made of durable steel and is a solid piece of equipment. It comes with mounting holes so you can easily attach it to any workbench or table.
The VEVOR Cable Wire Stripping Machine is perfect for anyone looking for a heavy-duty, hardworking manual machine. It’s a great choice for a home workshop and is built to last.
5. Mophorn Computer Wire Stripping Tool
- Weight: 68 lbs
- Max Wire Diameter: 3/4 in.
- Motor: 110V
- Channels: 1
- Speed: 125 ft/min
Pros
- Programmable LCD screen makes it easy to get the settings right
- Versatile
- Adjustable
Cons
- Can't cut wires with diameters larger than about 3/4 inch
Overview
This machine from Mophorn is perfect for PVC, teflon, silicone cables, and wire glass fibers. It’s a great option for anyone working with wires from electronics and even auto or motorcycle parts. The machine is well designed and powered by a micro-computer. Just use the simple LCD display to adjust the settings and you’re ready to go. You can choose cutting style, length, and distance to get the most accurate cuts.
If you want an easy to use machine that’s precise and can tackle a variety of materials, the Mophorn Computer Wire Stripping Machine is a safe bet.
6. Steel Dragon Tools WRA35 Wire Stripper
- Automatic or hand-crank driven bench top wire stripper.
- Features emergency stop button.
- Strips up to 1-1/2-inch wire (38 mm) round or flat cable.
- Suitable for various kinds of round cable and sheath flat cable.
- Features eight (8) round holes and two (2) flat stock cable cutting channels.
Pros
- Automatic machine that can also be used as a manual one
- Has a 10 different channels in all
- Emergency stop button and enclosed blades for safety
Cons
- Instruction manual isn't very clear
- Users had few complaints
Overview
One of the interesting things about this machine from Steel Dragon Tools is that it can be used as an automatic or manual. Plus, it can handle just about anything because it features 8 round holes and 2 flat cable cutting channels as well as tension adjustment to tackle different coatings and insulation. The blades are fully enclosed for safety and there’s an emergency stop button if you should ever need it.
Steel Dragon Tools WRA35 is unique in that it’s an automatic machine that also gives you the option to use it manually. It’s really versatile and can handle just about any wire or insulation.
7. ECO-WORTHY Copper Wire Stripping Machine
- Wire stripping range: Φ1.5mm--Φ25mm).
- Channels: 1
- Estimated strips/min: 450 inches/min.
- The adjustable blade and rollers on the cable wire stripping machine are smoothly and good for any shapes cable.
- Can be connected with drill for automatic wire stripping and recycle scrap copper wire, or use handle for manual stripping.
- Weight: 12.8 lbs
Pros
- Easily connects to a drill for automatic cranking
- All-steel construction will last a long time
- Easily mounts to any workbench
- Adjustable blades and rollers for any shaped cable
Cons
- Users have no complaints.
Overview
One of the best things about this ECO-WORTHY manual wire stripping machine is that it’s portable. At only 12.8 pounds, it’s easy to take it anywhere. The blades are completely enclosed for safety and it’s made of durable steel so it won’t get damaged easily. Adjustable blades and rollers accomodate just about any wire under 0.98 inch in diameter. Plus, if you want a little more power, you can connect it to your drill for more automatic function.
Wire Stripping Machines: Advice & Buying Guide
Before you buy a stripping machine, there are a few things you’ll have to decide. Here are the main features you should consider before making up your mind.
Automatic vs Manual
As you may have noticed in our reviews, both automatic and manual wire stripping machines are very effective. In fact, there weren’t a whole lot of complaints about any of the products we included, regardless of whether they were automatic or manual. So, it isn’t as if one is supremely better than they other from a performance perspective.
Automatic machines are obviously going to save you time but make sure it goes at a speed you’re comfortable with. Any machine that goes about 50 feet per minute is good enough for home use. That said, if you’re comfortable using tools like this, there’s no reason not to get one that moves faster.
Obviously, the physical work of using an automatic is a lot less taxing. Manual tools require you to turn a hand crank to feed the wire through the blade which can be a pretty good workout. That said, some people prefer doing this kind of work themselves.
If you can’t decide, there are a few machines that can do both. We found an automatic machine that also has a hand crank so you can use it manually if you want to. Or, some of the manual tools allow you to attach the crank to a power drill. When you turn the drill on, it will spin the blades and turn the machine into something a little more automatic.
Like we said, one isn’t better than the other, it’s really all in what you prefer.
Channels
There are 2 things to pay attention to when it comes to channels. One is how many there are and the other is how big they are. Some machines only have one hole with an adjustable channel and blades so it can accommodate just about any size wire. Other machines will have a row of pre-cut channels where you feed the wire. It’s worth noting that, even with the multi-channel models, you still get some control. Usually, you can change the pressure to account for different coatings and insulations used on different types of wire. Some are hard to cut through than others so this is an important feature to have if you’re working with a variety of material.
Blades
One of the most important things about blades is something we touched on already. You have to make sure they adjust. On high-end, automatic machines this will be done automatically. But, if you’re looking for something to use at home, there’s a good chance you’ll have to figure out how to do this manually.
Another thing to keep in mind about blades is that some of them are changeable and some are permanent. While permanent blades are really enticing because you won’t have to do as much maintenance, keep in mind that it’s not an easy job to get to them when it does come time to sharpen them. Replaceable blades can be replaced easily but are not always easy to find and can end up being a bit of an expense.
Portability
This is another thing that is completely up to you. Manual machines tend to be more portable only because they’re very lightweight when compared to automatic machines. These are as good choice if you aren’t going to use it regularly and want something you can easily tuck in a closet or put on a shelf in your garage.
If you’re planning to mount your wire stripper to a workbench, there’s really no need to worry about portability. Most of the larger machines are really easy to mount and are too heavy to really be carried from place to place.
The Tool that Pays for Itself
If you have a lot of copper wire to strip, it’s true that the right wire stripping machine will end up stripping so much wire that it will completely offset the cost of the investment. Some actually do so very quickly. So, choose the style that fits your needs and get busy. The sooner you start, the sooner your new tool will have paid for itself.
Thank you for the review. Very helpful. One question though, what typically is the shortest length of wire that can be run through these wire strippers? Have a lot of 4/0 pieces that are only about 6-8″ long.