sarabande
Well-Known Member
Surely the criterion for crimping is not whether one is am or pro, but whether the tool applies the crimp properly to that the terminal does come loose, and also makes the proper electrical continuity.
Affordable crimping tool?
- Thread starter MissFitz
- Start date
MissFitz
Well-Known Member
Many thanks for all the input, really helpful. I went ahead & bought the Draper, & spent a happy evening doing practice crimps yesterday. Took me a few goes to get the hang of it but fairly quickly managed to produce really good strong crimps. Haven’t tested their connectivity yet but pretty pleased so far.
Dipper
Well-Known Member
I bought some reasonably priced ratchet crimpers which worked well until I decided to use them on heat shrink terminals. They cut through the insulation.
I now also have the 12 Volt Planet heat shrink ratchet crimping tool (£42) which is excellent. I also bought their automatic wire strippers (£18) which came into their own when I had to strip a wire in the engine bay at arms length. I wondered why I had never bought this tool before. 12 Volt Planet are certainly worth considering if you want anything electrical. No connection etc.
I now also have the 12 Volt Planet heat shrink ratchet crimping tool (£42) which is excellent. I also bought their automatic wire strippers (£18) which came into their own when I had to strip a wire in the engine bay at arms length. I wondered why I had never bought this tool before. 12 Volt Planet are certainly worth considering if you want anything electrical. No connection etc.
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savageseadog
Well-Known Member
I disagree. I've seen a B&Q crimper kit with crimps in action and the results were absolute rubbish to the extent that wires could be pulled out of the crimps with a tug (not a tug boat!). I'm not sure if it was the crimper or the crimps that were the problem (or both?) but I've been a pro Electronics Engineer most of my life and know the difference. Some budget crimpers and crimps might be OK but which? The electrics/electronics on a boat are absolutely critical, the consequences of poor work can be catastrophic so take care.
MissFitz
Well-Known Member
Ah, ok, that’s interesting. Was planning to use heat shrink terminals but haven’t tried them yet, guess if the Draper doesn’t work on them then I’ll be buying another crimper.......
ghostlymoron
Well-Known Member
"Some budget crimpers and crimps might be OK but which?"
Isn't that the point of asking the question on a forum?
Isn't that the point of asking the question on a forum?
ghostlymoron
Well-Known Member
Looking back to the original question, the OP says he doesn't want to spend upwards of £100 on a crimping tool. There are many crimpers available for under £20 that will do the job. They are all so similar that they are probably badged versions of the same manufacturer. Draper is one brand.
The important things are:-
a) don't use the very cheap Halfords type pressed steel type with built in cutter and stripper. It IS possible to crimp successfully with them but you'll waste an awful lot of time and crimps.
b) get a ratchet type and twiddle the adjuster till you get a reliable crimp
c) test each crimp by pulling it HARD
d) use the tool the right way round. I think it's wire entering from the left
The important things are:-
a) don't use the very cheap Halfords type pressed steel type with built in cutter and stripper. It IS possible to crimp successfully with them but you'll waste an awful lot of time and crimps.
b) get a ratchet type and twiddle the adjuster till you get a reliable crimp
c) test each crimp by pulling it HARD
d) use the tool the right way round. I think it's wire entering from the left
savageseadog
Well-Known Member
Certainly but is it worth taking the risk of using cheap equipment which may be inconsistent quality for a very expensive asset. It's a professional view.
Dipper
Well-Known Member
That's the mistake I made. Never mind. I've got two good crimpers now for different jobs. The heat shrink ones have a flatter crushing area.
alahol2
Well-Known Member
I'll second the suggestion someway above to get an automatic wire stripper. Especially when dealing with existing wiring, the size of which varies, it's a godsend.
DownWest
Well-Known Member
On cheap ones, a friend proudly showed me one he had found at Lydls. Very flimsy and useless at the job. I tried one to show him and the wire came straight out with hardly a tug.