Crimp Tool

[Dave Plowman (News)]

Bought this crimp tool off Ebay, after someone recommended it elsewhere.

Thought it would be a useful addition to my other ones, since it says it covers a wide range of common sizes. Not cheap, but not expensive either for one which does what it says on the tin.

And I can only describe it as useless. It's not possible to get enough force to crimp (say) a standard 1/4" spade connector to 1mm sq wire even using both hands. My decent one does it easily with one hand.

It might be OK with extremely light weight crimps you sometimes see - but on a car?

Sadly being Xmas the packaging got thrown away.

Oh - I've now looked at the Ebay ad more carefully. Just look at the examples of its work given towards the bottom. ;-)

[charles]

stranded wire - normal for automobiles.

[The Medway Handyman]

I think the accepted wisdom around here is that ratchet crimpers are to only true path...

[Andrew Gabriel]

Yes. It looks like it has parallel operating jaws, which means the larger crimps will need more force to crimp.

Also, it's only a single pivot mechanism. Many crimp tools have a more complicated hinge to give a much better mechanical advantage, e.g. this one is a common design:

Note that the larger crimp is nearer the pivot, so it gets more closing force. (Yours is the other way around, but as the jaws are parallel operating with same force on each crimp position, the order doesn't matter but you're missing the higher force on larger crimps.)

[Andrew Mawson]

But it's intended for Molex barb retained connector pins, not 1/4" spades. I've a very similar one that works fine on MOLEX pins but if I were crimping

1/4" spades I'd not be using it !

Andrew

[Dave Plowman (News)]

Not so. My v.expensive car one which does a perfect crimp on spade connectors is a double lever type. Which I prefer to ratchet ones.

[Dave Plowman (News)]

Of course it is. I was talking about the standard of the crimps. I've seen a neater job done with pliers.

[Dave Plowman (News)]

I can't even make it work properly on the smallest size using both hands - so absolutely no chance on large ones.

[Peter Parry]

It should have said common since 1990 :-)

1/4" spade isn't common any more. As Andrew has said the tool you bought is for Molex type connectors used in modern connector systems made of very thin metal. For example It will work well on these (I have a similar tool) but, as you have discovered, it won't even slightly dent the old fashioned 1/4" blade type.

[Dave Plowman (News)]

The ad says 'Molex style' To me that suggests it does a heart shaped crimp. Which it attempts to do.

The description specifically mentions 'Weather Pack' connectors which I use and it's just as bad with those. Even the lowest current version you'll find on cars.

I've tried it on a genuine Molex I have here - the sort of connector you'll find for signal or low current use on a PCB - and it does sort of work, but doesn't give as good a job as the proper Molex one I already have.

But I'd not describe those as Automotive connectors. That to me suggests medium to high current - say 5 amps plus.

[Dave Plowman (News)]

Yes - and I use those WeatherPack connectors. And it simply doesn't make a decent fist of crimping them. If it did, I'd be happy, as at the moment I have to use two different tools for them.

I refer you to the pics of the example crimps in the Ebay ad. Perhaps some would be happy with those - but not me.

Other thing is the terminals jam in the tool after crimping.

It's basically rubbish. ;-) Apart from the pressure thing, the jaws simply ain't the correct shape.

[cd]

I struggle with them. The handles aren't long enough to make it easy to apply the degree of force you need with some connections. Maybe I've just got weak wrists?

[Andy Dingley]

No ratchet, no compound leverage.

The small jaws might work for 0.1" pitch square pins. Wouldn't trust it for car work.

[rick]

are you crimping onto solid core ? ..... if so that is your problem ... these are for stranded conductors.

[rick]

I have one of these ... but they are for insulated connectors (lucar) not the uninsulated type in OP They do work very well on the insulated connectors

[Dave Plowman (News)]

Where on earth did you get the idea I was using solid core? I mentioned 'car' in my first post.

[Dave Plowman (News)]

I don't use pre-insulated on cars. Don't like them and think they look like a DIY bodge. And if you remove the insulation after crimping, the actual crimp looks like a bodge too. Rather like it's just been squashed with pliers. Try it.

The crimper I do have which works perfectly on non insulated car type spade connectors etc is this one:-

It does a perfect crimp - as well it should at the price. Sort of compound lever, so plenty of force with just one hand. And no silly ratchet to annoy.

[charles]

you mentioned 1mm sq conductor.

[Dave Plowman (News)]

That is how modern car cable is specified. Same as mains flex, come to that. Since about 1970.

1mm.sq is a common automotive size. Usually 32/0.2. Rated at 16.5 amps.