Crimper tool preference?

http://www.amazon.com/Klein-Tools-1006-Non-Insulated-Terminals/dp/B00776SJJO

http://www.amazon.com/Klein-Tools-Insulated-Non-Insulated-Terminals/dp/B0006M6Y5M/ref=pd_cp_hi_0

If you are mostly doing insulated crimps like you said the bottom style would probably work the best for you and be the easiest/fastest to use.

I use and prefer the middle style since I do a lot of uninsulated crimps. Also, I rarely use the wire strippers on the pliers, I use this tool to strip 90% of the wires I do:

http://www.delcity.net/store/Spring-Loaded-Wire-Stripper/p_801328

Which of the crimping areas of the middle and bottom ones are better? Middle having a rectangular crimp? Bottom having an oval crimp?

I've got a similar one to the one posted in post #2 but made by channellock

It's Channellock 909 - I know it goes on sale rarely up here in Canada but WELL worth it for crimping duties and priced well on Amazon.

http://www.amazon.com/Channellock-909-Crimping-Tool-Cutter/dp/B00004SBDI/ref=pd_cp_hi_1



I have the stripping tool in Post #3 and it works well but occasionally I use a different tool as below sometimes, seems to just work better for certain applications.

It's the Gardner Bender GS-365



Having good crimp and strip tools will change your life....ok...at least the few moments you use them.

toypaseo said:

Which of the crimping areas of the middle and bottom ones are better? Middle having a rectangular crimp? Bottom having an oval crimp?

Click to expand...

The one on the bottom with the oval shaped crimper isn't worth a damn. I have one identical that is close to 30 years old. Why I kept it I don't know.

I would go with the Channellock that Rideless posted.

Dan Whitaker said:

The one on the bottom with the oval shaped crimper isn't worth a damn.

Click to expand...

Good to know about the bottom one. I was leaning toward something of that design.

Ran across an interesting comparison of brands...

http://www.thegaragegazette.com/index.php?topic=1281.0

Did you ever try the ratcheting automatic crimping tools? Once you try one of them I'm sure that you won't want to use a regular crimper again.

Second vote with a tool designed for the job at hand. Also the only one aircraft mechanics are allowed to use. All the others do not really crimp they just smash and not grab...

Take a look at this one from Harbor Freight.Com: http://www.harborfreight.com/ratcheting-crimping-tool-97420.html. Use code 26722081 for 25% off.

And that's what I'm talking about....All purpose wiring tools do not do a good job....At all, otherwise the F.A.A. would allow them to be used for working on those self vibrating flying machines....Also known as aircraft...

Never really looked at those. I'll have to check some out...

These type of tools don't release until they finish making a perfect crimp. The manual style requires "feeling" the best crimp. The crimping area is much wider so it crimps the entire metal inside the connector instead of just the center. I still do use the manual tool in a pinch (pun intended) when I don't have my ratcheting tool handy.

Nice thing about the ratcheting type are the interchangeable dies. Invaluable for coaxial cable terminations. (F59, RG6, etc.)

The ratcheting crimpers do well on large gauge connectors where longer handles aren't an option (longer handle crimpers are fairly expensive), but what really matters when it comes to crimping is the shape of the jaws that contact the connector that's being crimped.

I used a LOT of the different tools in this thread on butt connectors before I found the one that gives the "factory" like crimp I wanted:

https://www.rockauto.com/catalog/moreinfo.php?pk=635492

You can find these in various places online including ebay for ~$10, and there are more expesive versions out there, but they seem to just be the same thing with different handle cushions.

There is no one "best" crimp tool, really you want a variety of tools, from the standard style Craftsmans you already have, to special crimpers for small and large connectors so you can use the right tool for the particular job.

Having dedicated wire cutters and wire strippers helps too, as good quality strippers will leave more if not all of the wire in place, making for a stronger and better connection.

Rideless said:

I've got a similar one to the one posted in post #2 but made by channellock

It's Channellock 909 - I know it goes on sale rarely up here in Canada but WELL worth it for crimping duties and priced well on Amazon.

http://www.amazon.com/Channellock-909-Crimping-Tool-Cutter/dp/B00004SBDI/ref=pd_cp_hi_1

Click to expand...

I have a dewalt version of these and I like them for crimping.

I use these for wire striping.

http://www.amazon.com/Klein-11055-Tools-Kurve-Stripper-Cutter/dp/B00080DPNQ/ref=pd_bxgy_hi_text_y

Well, ended up winning an Ideal 30-3429 crimper on eBay for $13.09 delivered. Lightly used, if at all. Mostly just scratches and some tiny areas of rust. Made in USA as far as I can tell. Design is like the Channellock 909. One problem though. I might keep them for myself :bsnicker: and dig on eBay for another crimper. I do have a crimper of that style, that being a pair of Thomas & Betts I got from a flea market for suuuupppeeeerrrr cheap, but it is for only non-insulated terminals.

http://www.idealind.com/prodDetail....l1=crimp_tools&l2=smart-grip_multi-crimp_tool

Did you look at the automatic crimpers?

Yep, but I seem to gravitate back to the crimper/stripper combo. That Ideal one will pry stay in my toolbox. I might look at the ratcheting ones more to add to my toolbox as well though.