DeWalt 20V MAX XR Cordless Brushless Cable Stripper (Tool Only)

A field day with a cordless cable stripper

Cold mornings on service upgrades are a good time to find out if a cordless cable stripper can pull its weight. I brought the DeWalt cable stripper to a panel change and a generator tie-in to see if it could replace the knife and pair of lineman’s pliers that have lived in my pouch for years. After a day of THHN and XHHW in copper and aluminum—from #6 up to 4/0—the tool made a strong case for itself.

Setup and ergonomics

Out of the box, this is a “tool-only” experience: no battery, no charger, and importantly, no bushings. The body is compact and easy to manage for a tool designed for large conductors. The grip feels familiar if you’re used to DeWalt’s 20V lineup, and the balance is good with a mid-size battery. The adjustable LED is actually useful; on low, it lights a panel without blasting glare, and the angle adjustment lets you avoid shadows in a crowded gutter.

Controls are straightforward:
- Variable-speed trigger with a crisp reverse selector
- A depth gauge that adjusts with a positive detent
- Quick-release bushing interface at the nose

Build quality is what I expect from DeWalt’s XR line—no rattles, smooth spindle, and a secure nose assembly. At just under 3 pounds, it’s surprisingly light for the torque it delivers. There’s an E-Clutch built in, and you can feel it kick in when a bushing binds instead of letting the tool torque your wrist.

Bushings: the real buy-in

Here’s the practical reality: the bushings are the heart of this system. They determine the conductor size, insulation fit, and the consistency of your strip. They’re not included with the tool, and you’ll need the right ones for each conductor you plan to strip. The good news is compatibility—DeWalt’s bushings work, and the tool also accepts Greenlee and Ripley bushings, which is extremely helpful if your shop already has a set on hand.

Swapping bushings is fast. The quick-release collar is glove-friendly, and the bushing locks in with a secure click. I recommend:
- Pre-labeling bushings by size and insulation type (THHN/XHHW) so you aren’t decoding tiny markings mid-job
- Carrying them in a small, divided case to keep chips and grit off the cutting edges
- Doing a quick test strip on scrap to set the depth gauge for each insulation brand and lot

If you work across a wide range of conductors, plan your bushing kit deliberately. You don’t need every size under the sun. Build a set around your most common feeds—say #6, #4, 1/0, 2/0, 4/0, and the larger feeders you actually use—and add as needed.

Performance in the field

The promise of this tool is knife-free, repeatable strips with minimal risk of nicking. In practice, it delivered. On 2/0 copper XHHW, it produced clean cuts and sheaths slipped off in a single pull with consistent strip length. THHN in #6 to 1/0 was similarly predictable once the depth was tuned. On 4/0 aluminum, torque demand goes up, but the tool maintained control and kept the cut centered on the insulation.

The depth gauge matters. Different manufacturers’ THHN and XHHW vary in jacket thickness and slipperiness, and small overcuts show up fast on smaller conductors. I dialed in the depth with a couple of trial cuts and then didn’t need to touch it for the rest of the run. Once set, it’s faster than a knife and more consistent than a rotary hand stripper.

A few usability highlights:
- The variable-speed trigger lets you feather the start so the bushing finds its track without chewing the jacket
- Reverse is handy for clearing a bushing after a partial cut or backing out when you’ve misaligned the cable
- The E-Clutch steps in gracefully; rather than a jarring stall, it releases drive so you can reset your grip and try again

On long feeders, the tool’s consistency stood out. Every strip length matched, which made terminations look clean and sped up lug work. Compared to a knife, I spent less mental energy worrying about conductor nicks and more on routing and torque values.

Safety and control

A tool like this is as much about reducing risk as it is about speed. Knife stripping on large conductors can be efficient with skill, but it’s also where mistakes happen. With the right bushing, I didn’t see any conductor scarring, even on soft aluminum. The E-Clutch is a quiet hero; it prevents the “wrenching” moment if the bushing catches, especially on oversized or ovalized cable.

A few control notes:
- On big MCM conductors, use two hands—one on the grip, one supporting and guiding the cable
- Keep cable straight into the nose to avoid binding; the tool wants a clean line, not a 90-degree bend near the entry
- Don’t outrun the cut; modest trigger pressure reduces chatter and leaves a cleaner edge on the jacket

Battery life and maintenance

With a mid-size 20V pack, I didn’t have to think about battery during typical service work. The brushless motor helps here—torque without a big hit on runtime. The tool doesn’t need much maintenance beyond keeping the bushing interface clean:
- Wipe dust and chips out of the nose after use
- Keep bushings free of grit and lightly oiled if the manufacturer recommends it
- Store bushings in a case so they don’t bang around and dull prematurely

DeWalt backs the tool with a 3-year limited warranty, 1-year free service, and a 90-day satisfaction guarantee. That’s reassuring for a tool that lives in harsh environments.

Limitations

No tool is perfect. Here’s what stood out:
- The bushings aren’t optional; they’re essential. If you only strip a few sizes occasionally, the cost and hassle of assembling a set may outweigh the benefit
- The tool-only purchase can surprise new users who expect at least a starter bushing; budget for the sizes you need
- Depth gauge calibration takes a few test cuts when insulation changes brands or types
- While compact, it’s still a straight-body tool; in very tight panels or pull boxes, you’ll sometimes default to a knife or a smaller hand stripper
- It’s for THHN and XHHW copper and aluminum conductors. It’s not the solution for NM-B or small control wiring

Who will benefit

This cordless stripper shines for electricians who routinely terminate feeders—service upgrades, rooftop units, switchgear, gensets, and industrial controls. If you or your crew strip larger conductors weekly, the time savings, consistency, and reduced risk of nicking are real. If you’re already on DeWalt’s 20V platform or you own compatible bushings from Greenlee or Ripley, the adoption friction drops significantly.

For light residential work where you strip larger conductors occasionally, a well-honed knife and a steady hand can still get it done. The cordless stripper becomes a want more than a need unless you’re prioritizing safety and uniformity across a team.

Practical tips

• Build a focused bushing set for the sizes you strip most; expand only as needed
• Label bushings boldly and keep them organized in a small parts case
• Start slow on each cut, let the bushing seat, then increase speed
• Make a test strip each time you switch insulation types or brands
• Use the LED; it genuinely helps line up square starts in dim gear

Recommendation

I recommend the DeWalt cable stripper for pros who regularly strip THHN/XHHW in larger sizes and value speed, consistency, and safety. The tool does exactly what it promises: repeatable, knife-free strips with good control and minimal fuss once the depth is set. The E-Clutch, variable speed, and adjustable LED make it easy to live with on real jobs.

The caveat is the bushing ecosystem. Success with this tool depends on having the right bushings on hand and organized, and that’s an additional investment. If your work justifies assembling a sensible bushing kit—or you already own compatible bushings—it’s a clear upgrade over knife work. If you only strip large conductors once in a while, you may not see enough return to justify the setup cost.