Compatible (Cheap) Molex Crimp tool?

[aturcitu]

Hello there,

I am about to get one of these :

http://uk.farnell.com/molex/63819-0000/crimp-tool-micro-fit-3-30awg-to/dp/1602635

Before doing so I just wanted to check whether there are cheaper alternatives (different brands, ebay copies.. etc)

I don't care if the replacement is not as good as the original since it would be a non-commercial use.

Thank you in advance for your hlep

[ransonjd]

Engineer brand crimp tools are well-made manual crimp tools that work across a wide range of crimp contacts. It's a two step process, where you have to crimp the wire, and then crimp the insulation. However, for light crimping work, they're way more cost effective than manufacturers' crimpers. If you're not doing commercial, high-volume crimping, I would seriously consider this sort of tool.

http://www.engineer.jp/en/products/pa21e.html
http://www.engineer.jp/en/products/pa09e.html

[helius]

Even a manufacturer recommended hand tool is going to be inadequate for commercial, high-volume crimping, simply due to the repetitive stress on the user's hand. Electric and pneumatic tools are made for this purpose. The point where a hand powered, ratcheting tool with locators becomes cost-effective is subjective, but they do allow more rapid and worry-free crimping. Depends what your time is worth.

[ransonjd]

Let's say high volume, relative to a hobbyist forum. Mass production volume and tools don't appear to be relevant to the OP.

I would look at the amortized cost of the crimper over the number of crimps I expect to do over the next few years. If we're talking $1.00/crimp or more for a $300 tool, I probably would just skip a single purpose tool.  You can always resell it, but selling tools is time spent not doing something else.