Beginner crimp tool & terminal connector choice?

[ftransform]

So I would like to purchase a cheap crimping solution for my home electronics lab. I was looking at newark electronics and these particular kits came into mind.

http://www.newark.com/hellermann-tyton/a801632t/terminal-kit-crimp-630-piece/dp/58M3964 (120$)
http://www.newark.com/multicomp/xtk21-500/terminal-kit-crimp-500-piece/dp/24R8124 (80$)

And someone else on the forum recommended this ratcheting crimper:
cpc.farnell.com/_/ht-301/insulated-terminals-red-blue-yellow/dp/TL08620

Considering that the forum recommended crimp tool is only 15$ are those more expensive kits a ripoff, or are the crimp terminals supplied actually worth the money?

I find making a choice very daunting considering that many people say that good crimp tools cost up to a thousand dollars....


Anyway people should write their opinions and suggestions about "cheap" crimping in this thread. This forum lacks information on crimping imo.

[richcj10]

I use these. I have never found a better crimping device.
http://www.service.kleintools.com/Tools/PRD/Category/Crimping/Cutting%20Tools%20-%20Non-Insulated/Insulated%20Terminals%20STRIPPERS-CRIMPERS-CRCTNINSIN/Product/1005

[akcoder]

I use these. I have never found a better crimping device.
http://www.service.kleintools.com/Tools/PRD/Category/Crimping/Cutting%20Tools%20-%20Non-Insulated/Insulated%20Terminals%20STRIPPERS-CRIMPERS-CRCTNINSIN/Product/1005

I'll second that, and third it too! I have those crimpers and they are awesome! The other crimpers I had have been relegated to the junk box I like these things so much! They are so well built, they will easily last me my lifetime!

-dan

[Kremmen]

So I would like to purchase a cheap crimping solution for my home electronics lab. I was looking at newark electronics and these particular kits came into mind.

http://www.newark.com/hellermann-tyton/a801632t/terminal-kit-crimp-630-piece/dp/58M3964 (120$)
http://www.newark.com/multicomp/xtk21-500/terminal-kit-crimp-500-piece/dp/24R8124 (80$)

And someone else on the forum recommended this ratcheting crimper:
cpc.farnell.com/_/ht-301/insulated-terminals-red-blue-yellow/dp/TL08620

Considering that the forum recommended crimp tool is only 15$ are those more expensive kits a ripoff, or are the crimp terminals supplied actually worth the money?

I find making a choice very daunting considering that many people say that good crimp tools cost up to a thousand dollars....


Anyway people should write their opinions and suggestions about "cheap" crimping in this thread. This forum lacks information on crimping imo.

El cheapo tools are worse than useless so whatever you do, don't go for the cheapest. You get what you pay for.
Others have suggested their favorites, let me do the same: Knipex MultiCrimphttp://www.knipex.com/index.php?id=1216&L=1&page=group_detail&parentID=1299&groupID=1320
Definitely a world class manufacturer, quality is second to none. I have the model 97 33 02 model with 5 interchangeable sets of "teeth" and that is all i need. This tool has produced rock solid crimps in all the supported connector and cable end types.
At a couple of hundred euros this is not the cheapest alternative that works, but definitely worth the money. And with this set, you don't need to buy all those extra handles just to get the other crimpers as well.

[ftransform]

Ehh it will be at least 2-3 years before I can justify spending +200$ on a crimp tool (especially when I have a soldering iron and much more dire equipment needs, like function generator, better psu, meters, components).

As for the klien tools one, is that really better then the ratcheting kind?


Also how about the actual parts that are crimped? What are good brands ?

[ftransform]

Speak of the devil... The wire cutters/crimpers I currently have are the Klien tool ones. I am not sure if they are the same model because this one has one red and one black handle.

This tool has a 22-14 and a 10-12 AWG "jaw"

Ahh. This one is meant for non-insulating connectors. Anyway, which connectors are best?? Ratchet vs non ratchet?

[Colfaxmingo]

I have a pair like those Klein pliers. Mine are Channellock but are the exact same. I also have some Knipex controlled cycle crimpers.
In my experience controlled cycle (ratchet) are going to give you much better crimps.  They are much more consistent and uniform, not over or under pressure. But the caveat with these is you have to have the correct die set for the terminal style you are using. You probably shouldn't put a quick disconnect style in a die ment for a ring terminal.  And you have to use the correct wire gauge with the correct terminal.

With the Klein pliers, you are on your own to make sure your crimps don't fail.  You can crush a terminal to death and have it fail early, or have the wire slip out because you didn't apply enough pressure. It takes screwing a few up to learn what you did wrong and knowing what to look for in a good crimp. But you can live off the reservation of having the exact right stuff on hand.

As for terminals, I prefer Panduit or Tyco.  Avoid those Multicomp ones from Newark, they are cheaper than you imagine and crumble even in a controlled cycle crimp.

[richcj10]

I think die crimps are for small gauge pins for high density connectors.
They are not made for regular style crimps. I prefer non ratcheting.
It allows for the tool to do more things.
also my two cents.

[G7PSK]

I have a pair of those Klein crimp pliers except they are Lucas crimp pliers, I purchased them in 1973 and they are still going strong. When I bought them was the first time I had ever come up against a computerized  inventory system. I went into the Local Lucas auto electrical service center in Cambridge and asked for some crimping pliers, the man on the counter looked at his computer screen and said sorry we do not have them in stock. So I looked at him and said what are those things on the display board behind you then, he turned around and pretended he had not noticed them before, I told him I would have them then, and paid for them then and there, I think that it was probable that to get the pliers meant a long walk to the end of the warehouse that the man on the counter did not want to take. I still have the original box somewhere as well a bit tatty now.

[Bored@Work]

Lucas auto electrical

Please don't utter that name in polite company.

[SeanB]

Lucas, the prince of darkness. Also the inventor of the intermittent windscreen wiper. Long hours of suffering with the parts they designed, I owned both a Ford and had friends with other cars that used the Lucas designs.... Best fixit method was to use contact cleaner and a coating of spray on white grease afterwards.

[G7PSK]

I have never found Lucas equipment any better or worse than Bosch and a damned sight better than the crap put out by GM.

[Bored@Work]

I have never found Lucas equipment any better or worse than Bosch and a damned sight better than the crap put out by GM.

I spent endless hours under the bonnet of a British sports car in my youth. Half of that time because Lucas didn't know how to make working electric parts, and the other time because Leyland didn't know how to build working cars.

Then I grew up and decided I became to old to deal with that shit.

[G7PSK]

Renault used to far worse than Leyland. But I mostly worked with diesels and found that Leyland diesels were very good along with Lucas and CAV injection equipment.

[nanofrog]

I use a Pressmaster Mobile Crimp Tool (http://www.pressmaster.com/visa_produkt.asp?id=1032).

Frame: http://www.waytekwire.com/item/560/CRIMP-TOOL-W-INTERCHANGEABLE/
Yellow Die Nest for insulated terminals: http://www.waytekwire.com/item/561/DIE-SET-FOR-26-22-12-10-GA-INS/
Red & Blue Die Nest for insulated terminals: http://www.waytekwire.com/item/562/DIE-SET-FOR-22-14-GA-INSULATED/

Much higher quality than the One Hung Low specials for ratcheting crimpers (Pressmaster is one of, if not the best crimp tool manufacturer), and not horribly expensive (their dedicated ratcheting crimp tools can and do exceed $200 per, and are rebranded with names such as Molex, Thomas & Betts, Emerson, and a few others).

All 3 pieces would run ~$100USD, and you can add dies as needed later on (die selection is very good too). Easier to absorb for a hobbyist IMHO by going with interchangeable models.