IRWIN Vise-Grip Wire Stripping Tool/Wire Cutter, 5-Inch (2078305)

Useful but very small

great for all wire sizes very neat tool

The AWG selector spins on a rivet. The rivet is loosely affixed, allowing the selector to spin freely and wobble slightly, utterly negating its usefulness. This occurs despite the presence of a tension spring placed between the selector and the rivet head.I exchanged my first tool for an identical one to see if the new unit exhibited the same flaws, and it does.Sadly I missed the return window on the second unit.A skilled hand can use the tool with no selector at all and produce reasonably-consistently good results, but:a) this is untenable for someone making repeated cuts on the same gauge or two of wire all day andb) an individual's skill is beside the point. A tool must operate as specified whether for a master tradesman or a complete novice (and if you're the latter then expect nicked conductors and severed strands).I've attached a video of the selector jiggling freely with only light pressure from the tip of my finger.

The rivet that holds the unit together is literally broken, see pictures I attached.The rivet that hold the gauge adjuster I place is super loose, has about 2mm of play.Could be so much better. Returning is such a hassle for $10 that I’ll just accept the loss on this, and going forward be extra cautious of this once amazing brand.

I would think Irwin is a very good brand and would make a good wire stripper but was wrong. I use for automotive electrical and previously have been using no name red strippers same design with spring load. This one has no spring and is very cumbersome. They shluld redesign this or take off market.

Nice stripper/cutter for use in tight quarters.The metal on the blades could definitely use a bit more heat treating on the pair I received, as they have a few nicks from stranded copper.Selection wheel also came loose right out of the box, had to find a die and bend the rivet in a bit to take out the slack.