Crimp tool

[dickfoster]

The 'turret thing' is simply a place in which the various 'jaws' are kept. You slip the pliers over whichever jaws you want, push a button, and they are released into the pliers. You can then crimp whatever you wish, with specifically designed crimping jaws.

That's better. However 99% of the common terminals most will ever see can be handled with one set of dies that covers three sizes. The one's I linked have replaceable die sets should you need them.

 

[dickfoster]

Thanks Dick. This second one even shows a nylon terminal so I guess this tool does both.

My guess is it will do ya just fine for the common automotive type terminals you had in the pic.

 

[RNeumann]

No, you want the correct tool, which is NEVER pliers.

Inhale.......exhale. Reread OPs original post and look at the pictures. It has two types of terminals. Spade terminals that take the Klein crimp style tool as several (including myself) have noted. The second is the splice terminals which is depicted in the video below.
Quick Splice Wire Connector for automotive use with Wiring Products - YouTube
Always and never are rarely accurate verbiage. All caps implies yelling. Correct and incorrect are also interesting word choices.

 

[CCWKen]

Inhale.......exhale. Reread OPs original post and look at the pictures. It has two types of terminals. Spade terminals that take the Klein crimp style tool as several (including myself) have noted. The second is the splice terminals which is depicted in the video below.
Quick Splice Wire Connector for automotive use with Wiring Products - YouTube
Always and never are rarely accurate verbiage. All caps implies yelling. Correct and incorrect are also interesting word choices.

Those finger nails are something else.

I've only seen those quick spice connectors used on cheap trailers or Q&D connections for adding trailer connections. They ALWAYS fail after a couple of years.

 

[k0ua]

My further thoughts on the crimpers. While the more complicated crimpers are without a doubt good or even excellent machines and are designed so that even inexperienced users can make good crimps, I think that a simple set of crimpers like the Kleins or Channel Locks posted will also make good crimps but with a bit higher skill level needed to make these crimps.

As an example "everyone" claims you need the special dies that fit an expensive ratcheting crimper to properly crimp Anderson Power Poles. You do not. Those Klein crimpers of mine have properly crimped many many Anderson Powerpoles. You just have to use your head and have a "feel" for smashing metal. There just isn't much you can't crimp with these simple crimpers. One exception would be coaxial connectors, but that is a discussion for another day.

So there you have it, Get a set of the Kleins or the Channel Locks, learn how to use them and be happy!

 

[TemporaryKubotaOwnerMark]

I use one like this. RS Pro - 4992313 - 1.5-6sq.mm wire size Ratchet crimp tool - Allied Electronics

You can spent as much as $300 but if you do a lot of em 40 or 50 bucks isn't that bad for a good ratchet style crimper. You want a ratchet style as it won't let go unless the terminal is fully crimped and a good connection is made.

Agreed. When I was installing professionally I had a pretty expensive pair of ratchet crimpers, with various jaws. Something like that Knipex, but a lot less money back then. Come to think of it, though, allowing for inflation, probably a similar grade of tool. Really a must-have for a professional. For the home handyman, you really don't need to go that pricey, but you DO need a decent tool.

Pliers, no matter what type, will not form the crimp material around the wire correctly, and will damage the insulation as has been shown here.

What a lot of folks don't notice is that there is a seam in the sleeve of most crimp fittings (butt connectors, ring terminals, etc. If you crimp with pliers, or even crimp incorrectly with a good crimper, you'll bust open that seam and compromise the structural integrity of the sleeve. The connector must be inserted into the tool in the correct orientation.

Here's a good video on it.

 

[TractorGuy]

I have a half dozen different crimping pliers in my tool box. Some are terminal specific but my favorite pair for standard insulated connectors is the Panduit CT-200. It has two different heel and toe sizes for the different size wire connectors.

 

[PHPaul]

My opinion (and you know what opinions are worth...)

1. Ratcheting tool with interchangeable dies. I do automotive, telco/computer and video with one tool.

2. GOOD terminals with heat-shrinkable insulation. Not cheap, but I've gotten to the point where I use them on EVERYTHING. Extra strength, water and corrosion resistant.

3. "Vampire" splices are an invitation to failure. I won't use them on my worst enemy's equipment. Like most things that are "quick, inexpensive and convenient", they WILL come back to bite you on the butt.

 

[TemporaryKubotaOwnerMark]

2. GOOD terminals with heat-shrinkable insulation. Not cheap, but I've gotten to the point where I use them on EVERYTHING. Extra strength, water and corrosion resistant.

Yep. The connector is the other half of the equation. I prefer the transparent nylon connectors over the vinyl, by a loooong way.

 

[Dadnatron]

3. "Vampire" splices are an invitation to failure. I won't use them on my worst enemy's equipment. Like most things that are "quick, inexpensive and convenient", they WILL come back to bite you on the butt.

What is a 'vampire' splice?