Power Connectors?

[AcHmed99]

C

[IanB]

Basic crimp tools for something like a Molex connector cost about $16. Is that too much for a tool that will continue to be useful?

You could always use the same kind of Molex power connector but solder the wires to the pins instead of crimping. Then you just have to fold the crimps with a pair of needle nose pliers after soldering so the pin fits in the housing.

[david77]

AMP Mate-N-Lock connectors can be crimped with a generic hand tool used for flat-blade connectors.

I use something like this:
http://www.google.com/imgres?hl=en&sa=X&biw=1152&bih=708&tbm=isch&prmd=imvns&tbnid=OG04ImEzFkl2NM:&imgrefurl=http://www.astra4ever.net/showthread.php/4684-Stromdieb-L%25C3%25BCsterklemme-oder-L%25C3%25B6ten...-!/page2&docid=9_Lbh4lxBU-hSM&imgurl=http://www.guth-electronic.de/CrimpzangeHT-230C.jpg&w=700&h=538&ei=_S5ET6W7CKPa4QTN3LSECA&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=725&vpy=333&dur=3298&hovh=197&hovw=256&tx=115&ty=110&sig=115159271373265667436&page=6&tbnh=153&tbnw=200&start=96&ndsp=20&ved=0CLwEEK0DMHI

[TerminalJack505]

I like the Molex KK series connectors.  The crimper is pretty standard.  I think I picked mine up at a Radio Shack or Lowes.  If you have to buy from Digikey it is still less than $20.

[Sal Ammoniac]

I use Anderson PowerPole connectors:

http://www.andersonpower.com/products/singlepole-connectors.html

[TerminalJack505]

The KK series has lots of options so far as connector housing, headers and contacts.  There are connectors and headers with locking ramps.  These make for a pretty secure connection.  There's also a "high pressure" version of the contacts (that require different housing, btw) that make contact on all four sides of the header pin instead of just one side.

[Short Circuit]

I often use this crimper for smaller pitch connectors such as JST 1.5 and 2mm styles; http://store.iheartengineering.com/Engineer-PA-09-Micro-Connector-Crimpers/dp/B002AVVO7K
I got it from eBay, but none for sale at this moment.

They have bigger models also, more usefull if your smallest is KK and the like.
http://store.iheartengineering.com/Engineer-PA-21-Universal-Crimping-Pliers/dp/B004FRU0AE?ie=UTF8&prevPageletDesc=DP%3ARecommendations&suggestedItem=B002AVVO7K
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Mini-Crimping-tool-Universal-crimp-pliers-PA-21-Servos-Molex-JST-Open-Barrel-etc-/260952670140?pt=UK_Computing_NetworkingTools_Accessories_SM&hash=item3cc1fdbfbc

[sonicj]

+1 for andersen powerpoles. they can be soldered or crimped, board mounted, panel mounted, color coded, keyed, genderless, affordable.

you can crimp them with a normal uninsulated crimper or use the over priced POS crimper from west mountain radio.
-sj

*edit - looks like eclipse has a new crimper for powerpoles! 902-337 $45 and you can swap the dies out for crimping other stuff.

[metalphreak]

I have the Engineer PA-09 for small terminals. Love it.

[LukeW]

What about those unpluggable PCB-mount two-part screw-down terminal blocks?

They can be unplugged from the PCB, but terminated directly from wires with no special crimpers or tools.