Crimp tools

[PetrosA]

I'm looking to buy a new crimp tool for 22-10AWG (red, blue and yellow) crimp ends. Up till recently, I've only needed one sporadically, and the cheap flat metal kind was fine but lately I've been getting into more control type wiring and I need a better crimper. I've looked around locally, and it seems I'm going to have to get something online. Prices for something I KNOW would be good are in the $200-$300 range which is way out of my budget. That leaves the slew of Asia-made $20-$80 ones. Can anyone recommend something that will make consistently good connections? Thanks

[Big_Al]

Yes, those flat metal crimpers are pretty poor really. I would not use them at all now.
 I brought one of these years ago:
 http://cpc.farnell.com/_/ht-301/insulated-terminals-red-blue-yellow/dp/TL08620

 These really are good quality crimpers at a great price. In my opinion they are easily as good as the RS ones that we have at work.
  Don't know if you can order from CPC whereever you are based though ?
Recommended for anyone in the UK though.

[Simon]

yea we sparginly buy these at work due to the price and we even have to get them calibrated

[sonicj]

klein 1005

i have done thousands of crimps with these. i use the toothed position for crimping insulated connectors. i know it sounds wrong, but i've found it to be the most reliable method for securely crimping insulated terminations. for non-insulated, i use a ratcheting crimper with the swappable dies. i've been meaning to order this for my arbor press. it avoids the scissor effect of handheld crimpers.
-sj

[PetrosA]

klein 1005

i have done thousands of crimps with these. i use the toothed position for crimping insulated connectors. i know it sounds wrong, but i've found it to be the most reliable method for securely crimping insulated terminations. for non-insulated, i use a ratcheting crimper with the swappable dies. i've been meaning to order this for my arbor press. it avoids the scissor effect of handheld crimpers.
-sj

I'm half German, and therefore it's genetically impossible for me to use tools other than how it says to use them in the instructions Actually, I've taken this style under consideration as well.

[sonicj]

it does both insulated and non-insulated quite well. but once you try it the wrong way, you'll understand.    they might be available at lowes / home depot. your local electrical supply place will have them. i've had mine over 10 years. very well made!

i'll try to find something i crimped with them and take a pic.
-sj

[PetrosA]

it does both insulated and non-insulated quite well. but once you try it the wrong way, you'll understand.    they might be available at lowes / home depot. your local electrical supply place will have them. i've had mine over 10 years. very well made!

i'll try to find something i crimped with them and take a pic.
-sj

Thanks, but no need. I've used that type before. I've noticed that some look better than others, but it's something you have to see in person. The ones that I used were Kleins (I think) and they smashed the hell out of the insulation. I saw some from Ideal that had a cleaner looking indent that may make a nicer crimp. We'll see... For now I'm scouring eBay and reading way more than I should about crimping tools

[PetrosA]

Just for fun - one of the things I learned this weekend is that most high-end crimp tool companies are selling this manufacturer's tools with their branding on it:

http://www.pressmaster.com/

At least this allows you to check out the tools for price, not for brand mark-up