WGGE WG-015 Professional 8-inch Wire Stripper/Crimping Tool, Cable Cutter/Crimper, Wiring and Multi-Function Hand Tool, Red With Black

Why this budget stripper/crimper earned a spot in my bag

I keep a few different wire strippers around because no single design does everything well. The WGGE 8-inch stripper/crimper (model WG-015) has become my go-to for household electrical, low-voltage installs, and general shop wiring where I want a simple, reliable tool that doesn’t overthink the basics. It’s a stamped, traditional-style combo tool—nothing flashy—and that’s part of why it works. After several weeks of steady use on 10–22 AWG copper, it’s proven accurate in the strip, competent in the crimp, and comfortable enough for a day of light work.

Build, size, and first impressions

At 8 inches long and about 3 inches across at the handles, it’s a familiar form factor. The high-carbon alloy steel body is cleanly finished with legible gauge markings for 10–22 AWG. The cutting edges arrived sharp and aligned, and the jaws meet squarely—important for both clean cuts and consistent stripping. The red/black rubber grips are lightly contoured and genuinely non-slip; they’re on the slimmer side, which I prefer for precision work, though folks with larger hands may want a thicker handle for long crimping sessions.

There’s an integrated looping feature for forming tidy hooks on conductors destined for screw terminals, and separate crimp stations for insulated and non‑insulated terminals. There’s no lock to keep the handles closed in a pouch, and there’s no return spring; it’s a straightforward manual action.

Stripping performance: accurate and predictable

The most important part of a tool like this is how precisely it strips insulation without nicking conductors. On 12 and 14 AWG solid copper (typical branch-circuit wiring), the WGGE produced clean, concentric cuts that released the insulation with a short pull. On 10 AWG solid, it needed a bit more squeeze but still released cleanly. With stranded conductors in the same AWG sizes, I had best results choosing one size larger hole than the printed gauge to avoid clipping fine strands—standard practice with stamped strippers.

A few notes from use:
- The openings are sized for solid conductors, as labeled, and the tolerances are tighter than I expected at this price.
- For stubborn PVC jackets, a gentle twist before pulling helps prevent stretching the insulation.
- It does not strip below 22 AWG, so very fine electronics wire (24–30 AWG) is out of scope. Keep a precision stripper for that.

If you stick to the marked range, it’s easy to get repeatable, nick-free results. I checked conductor integrity after stripping by giving each wire a firm bend near the strip line; no weak points showed up.

Cutting and looping

The cable cutter section makes clean square cuts on copper and aluminum conductors in the advertised range. On 14 AWG THHN and NM-B, cuts were effortless. On 10 AWG, expect a firmer squeeze and consider two-handed pressure if you’re batching cuts. Like any combo tool, this is not a hardened bolt cutter; avoid cutting steel or music wire. Edge geometry is a simple shear, and it held up well through dozens of cuts on copper.

The looping feature is a small but useful touch. It forms consistent hooks sized for device screws, saving time when wiring receptacles and switches. The loop is tight and neat if you align the conductor and apply steady pressure.

Crimping: fine for household terminals, with the right technique

The crimp stations for insulated and non-insulated terminals are clearly marked. With properly sized ring and spade terminals, I achieved secure crimps that passed a reasonable pull test on 16–12 AWG conductors. For larger insulated terminals, the tool benefits from a firm two-hand squeeze to fully set the barrel. That’s typical of non‑ratcheting crimpers and not a knock—just be aware that consistency requires deliberate pressure.

If you do high-volume crimps or demand perfectly repeatable barrel deformation, a dedicated ratcheting crimper is still the better choice. For occasional terminal work on appliances, fixtures, speakers, or low-voltage runs, this one gets it done.

Crimping tips that helped:
- Match the terminal to the wire gauge precisely; don’t “make it fit.”
- Use the non‑insulated station for bare terminals only; the insulated nest preserves the sleeve and improves strain relief.
- After crimping, tug-test each connection. If it slips, redo it—don’t rely on a marginal crimp.

Ergonomics and comfort

The curved, rubberized handles provide solid grip in sweaty or dusty conditions and reduce pinch points. The slim profile makes it easy to manipulate in device boxes. However, when I was crimping larger insulated terminals, I did notice the narrower grips concentrate hand pressure—after a long session, I felt it in my palm. A small pair of padded gloves solved that. Balance is good; the head isn’t overly heavy, and fine control at the tip is straightforward.

There’s no spring return, which is normal for this style. The lack of a locking latch means the tool stays slightly open in a pouch; not a dealbreaker, but worth noting for belt carry.

Durability and edge retention

High-carbon alloy steel is a good choice for this design, and the cutters stayed sharp through regular 14–16 AWG work. When I pushed it into repeated 10–12 AWG cuts, I could feel the edge beginning to lose that “like-new” bite after a while. It still cut cleanly, but the squeeze increased. That’s consistent with budget combo strippers: great for light-to-moderate workloads, not intended for day-in, day-out production cutting of heavier gauges.

The printed/etched markings remain legible, and the pivot has stayed tight with no noticeable wobble. I added a drop of oil at the joint after the first week; it’s worth doing to keep the action smooth.

Safety notes

This is not an insulated, VDE-rated tool. Don’t use it on live circuits. For energized work, choose properly insulated tools and follow appropriate lockout/tagout procedures.

Where it fits in a kit

This tool makes the most sense for:
- Homeowners and DIYers wiring switches, outlets, light fixtures, and smart devices.
- Low-voltage installs: thermostats, doorbells, speakers, LED lighting (within gauge range).
- Pros who want a dependable backup or a loaner that won’t break the bank.

It’s less suited to:
- Automotive techs and installers who crimp all day and need ratcheting precision.
- Electricians who routinely cut and strip heavier conductors.
- Electronics hobbyists working below 22 AWG.

Warranty and value

The two-year warranty is generous for a budget hand tool and gives some peace of mind. At this price point, the combination of accurate stripping, acceptable crimping, and decent edge life adds up to strong value. It’s the kind of tool I’m comfortable recommending to a neighbor because it covers the basics without quirks.

Tips for best results

• Choose the strip hole by conductor type: solid uses the marked size; stranded often prefers the next size down/up depending on insulation thickness—test on a scrap.
• Make small twists before pulling insulation on stubborn jackets to avoid elongation.
• For larger crimps, use two hands and support the terminal close to the jaw to prevent tilting.
• Keep a second, precision stripper if you work with 24–30 AWG.
• Wipe the jaws clean after cutting aluminum to minimize residue buildup.

Bottom line

The WGGE stripper/crimper does exactly what a good combo tool should: strip accurately, cut cleanly, crimp reliably, and stay comfortable enough for a day’s worth of light electrical work. It isn’t a specialty instrument, and it won’t replace a ratcheting crimper or heavy-duty cutters for demanding jobs. But as an affordable, do-most-things tool for 10–22 AWG copper and aluminum, it’s solid, predictable, and easy to recommend.

Recommendation: I recommend this tool for DIYers, homeowners, and pros who want a reliable backup. Its accurate stripping, straightforward crimping, comfortable grip, and low cost make it a smart addition to a general-purpose kit. If your work is heavy-duty or high-volume, step up to dedicated cutters and a ratcheting crimper—but keep this one around for everything else.