Heavy duty crimp tool advice

philip_stevens

philip_stevens

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I already have one of these as part of my work
View attachment 47878

I did have one of these until lent out but never returned!
View attachment 47879

I need to replace the blue crimp tool, but have come across this one
View attachment 47880

Out of the two blue crimp tools, what are the pros and cons between them. I am slightly in favour of the lower blue tool, as it looks as though it would give a better crimp. Both are in similar size crimp range.

I need a lighter tool for a different job, and the top one is more of a workshop tool.
 
I have one like the first blue one you show, and it has been fine for my modest usage of that size crimps - but the second blue one does look rather more substantial if you're intending a lot of use.
 
The second blue one is the better tool in my opinion (as a spark) as it uniformly crimps all the way around with the correct die used for the size lug required.
 
Hi

Not sure you mention what you are crimping? For battery cables, you need heavy duty capability and the eBay Hydraulic one looks most capable. I have a larger hydraulic crimper and it does battery/engine cables with ease. Mine was originally used on generator sets for on site power! I also found out that some lugs are more marine than others. Lugs with sealed housing for the cable, when fully covered with Heatshrink resist moisture best. Available at Merlin/Powerstore they are worth it in my book. As opposed to lugs with a cutout at the front.
Cheers
 
The upper of the blue tools has a built in click lock (ratchet) so that it holds if you release the grip before it is fully pressed.
Once fully closed the lock releases and the tools is ready for next use.
 
Spi D said:
The upper of the blue tools has a built in click lock (ratchet) so that it holds if you release the grip before it is fully pressed.
Once fully closed the lock releases and the tools is ready for next use.
Click to expand...

It also has a little knurled knob that allows you to release at mid tension, so allowing you crimp something that is not a standard size (we use it for crimping stainless wire traces for tuna or spanish mackerel trawling). I have had ours, called a Marvel Hand Press and Japanese, for 25 years now but ours has red handles! I'm guessing they come in different sizes, ours is an MH-61 and crimps from 1.25 - 8.0 (though not sure what the units of measurement are). Recommended (though have no experience of the other 2 tools).

Jonathan
 
Aurai said:
Hi

Not sure you mention what you are crimping? For battery cables, you need heavy duty capability and the eBay Hydraulic one looks most capable. I have a larger hydraulic crimper and it does battery/engine cables with ease. Mine was originally used on generator sets for on site power! I also found out that some lugs are more marine than others. Lugs with sealed housing for the cable, when fully covered with Heatshrink resist moisture best. Available at Merlin/Powerstore they are worth it in my book. As opposed to lugs with a cutout at the front.
Cheers
Click to expand...

I do use it for crimping battery cables, and bow thruster cables and the top yellow/red crimping tool is what I now use. It is not hydraulic, but very low geared allowing big cable crimping.

The reason for needing the smaller, lighter unit is that I have some cables on a boat that need new terminals, and I cannot get the big unit into the confined space.

I usually finish the crimp with black adhesive lined heat-shrink tubing.

I think I will go with the lower blue (shown) unit - in the forlorn hope that my old crimping tool (middle blue unit) will one day be returned.

Thanks to all who gave opinions.
 
I have the lower blue one (although mine is red!)
It crimps very well and forms a hex shaped crimp around the cable. I believe the other one works by shoving a pointy bit into the terminal to hold it onto the cable. Not as tidy or secure. The hex crimp holds all the stripped cable, the 'dent' crimp only holds a proportion of the cable and 50% of the crimp is trying to force the terminal off the cable.
 
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