Anyone built their own hoses using a cheap 'manual hydraulic' style crimper?

[rv7charlie]

I'm negotiating on what's likely a rescue from the salvage yard, if I don't buy it. Among other things, it needs a full set of hosed for the FEL. I *might* be able to get it cheap enough to justify paying a hose shop to make up the hoses, but for the same or less money I can buy 'AmaBay' hose & fittings along with a *relatively* inexpensive crimper, like this one (just one example of many that are for sale):
crimper

Has anyone here made up their own *crimped* hoses using this or similar style crimping machine? I realize that the dies are sized in metric, but I've got an electrical terminal crimper with metric dies that does work well on 'imperial' wire and connector sizes. You just have to do a bit of math to pick the right die.

My 'reasoning' on this subject is that the tractor/loader is not going to be worked for money; it's basically for the occasional odd job around the house, and if I buy the tool, I (and my neighbors) will have a tool available for future hose issues. Most of us have equipment that's close to the same size, so a relatively small inventory of cheap fittings could make future 'emergency' repairs a simple matter.

If someone doesn't like the idea but has never tried it, that's fine, but I'd love to hear from anyone who's actually used a similar tool for DIY and can say that either it's a viable option or a total non-starter.

 

[IH3444]

Years ago, I used these. Screw on hydraulic hose fittings.

McMaster-Carr

McMaster-Carr is the complete source for your plant with over 595,000 products. 98% of products ordered ship from stock and deliver same or next day.

www.mcmaster.com

 

[rv7charlie]

Yeah, I'm aware of the screw type; one of my hobbies is homebuilt aircraft (man carrying; not models), and the screw type are quite common for hoses on aircraft. Problem is price. The singles price for screw type is the dozens price for crimp-on. The screw-on are reusable, but they're also a bit of a pain to assemble, and at my age, I don't plan on having to rebuild any hose I make up today. ;-) Besides, who doesn't want another tool for their collection?

 

[WranglerX]

Think you will find with being a casual tractor user that you can have a hose shop make any hoses you need for same or less then buying bulk hose box of ends and a crimper, and crimper will probably sit on shelf for years gathering dust from non use....

You may want to even look at premade hoses here:

Hydraulic Hose Assemblies | Hydraulic Hose and Hose Assemblies | Hydraulics | www.surpluscenter.com

Hydraulic Hose Assemblies,Hydraulic Hose and Hose Assemblies,Hydraulics, 3/4&quot X 108&quot 3/4 NPTM X 3/4 NPTM 3000 PSI HYD HOSE Brand new,

www.surpluscenter.com

 

[rv7charlie]

Those are indeed good prices; I'll definitely bookmark that link. (Haven't bought anything from them since they were actually selling surplus stuff. ;-) )

Current Amazon prices are sub-$1/ft for 3/8" hose, and $3-$4 each for terminations, so the better deal is basically what's my time worth, and do I want the tool available later.

 

[oldnslo]

It has been 20+ years since I used a hand crimper for on-site hose assemblies. I do not remember the brand but was using mostly Aeroquip hose and ends. They work but can be a little slow to complete crimp since hand pump volume is limited. They are nice for working on equipment in the field where 120 VAC power is not readily available. Real nice if hose has elbow fittings on both ends since you can test fit to orient the fittings, mark them and then crimp right there.

If you are comfortable on being able to find correct dies it should do what you want.

 

[rv7charlie]

Sounds like it's worth pursuing. Now to get the price on the tractor negotiated to a tolerable level....