Meet the Swifty CS: A Screwdriver, Cable Cutter, and Stripper

Often, projects take more time than expected, as the right tool is not in the right place at the right time. More than one mechanic has joked about the national 10 mm socket shortage. Even if the right tools are available, sometimes switching between tools consumes most of the time spent on the whole project.

One surprisingly time-consuming task is wiring up PLCs or other controllers. Wires must be cut to length, stripped, and then connected via screw terminals or spring clips. Technicians are constantly switching between these tools, hunting for them in toolboxes or near the installation site.

Weidmuller has developed a solution for this problem: mount the wire cutter and stripper directly on the screwdriver that is used to tighten the screw terminal or depress the spring clamp. This new tool is called the Swifty Cut & Strip (CS).

Weidmuller’s Swifty CS is a screwdriver with a built-in cable cutter and stripper. Image used courtesy of Weidmuller

The Swifty CS

The Swifty CS features a clever design that makes it possible to cut and strip wire from the same screwdriver used to tighten screws and press spring clamps. It is designed to slide onto a 3.5 mm slotted screwdriver, the one most commonly used for screw terminals and for compressing spring clamps. Once assembled, all three devices are built into the same tool, which enables technicians to lighten the load in their toolbox as well as save time searching for the right tool.

“Cut it. Strip it. Fix it.” Video used courtesy of Weidmuller

Cable Cutting and Stripping

The Swifty CS is ambidextrous; no more sending the new hire off to find a “left handed screwdriver set.” It also opens automatically, making it simple to cut and strip many wires quickly and with lower chances of ergonomic strain. The grip is also designed (as is for all Weidmuller hand tools) to provide proper torque and alignment while minimizing ergonomic strain.

The Swifty CS’s wire cutter can handle both stranded and solid wire, up to 2.5 mm² and 1.5 mm², respectively. The stripper can strip PVC-insulated wires with a cross-sectional area of up to 2.5 mm² (AWG 14). Also, the stripper is equipped with a dial gauge to ensure that the same amount of insulation is removed from each wire. For large installations with many wires, providing this uniform strip length is essential to prevent accidental shorts and makes for a uniform, professional installation.

The Swifty CS is suitable for both right and left-handed users. Image used courtesy of Weidmuller

More Than a Screwdriver

Weidmuller has positioned the Swifty CS as a "must have" for anyone who deals with PLC installation and troubleshooting. The ability to cut and strip wire is nothing new, but having it handy while also keeping the screwdriver ready for tightening screw terminals is a game-changer.

The Swifty CS’s built-in adjustable stripping gauge makes it possible to perform uniform wire stripping every time. Even the most organized technician, with a toolbox of dedicated tools for PLC work, will spend a good part of their day switching between wire strippers and screwdrivers, leaving one sitting around while the other is in use. Having all three of these devices, wrapped up in one package, is convenient and time-saving in the long run.