Wire crimping/stripping tools

[Home_brew_machinist]

Hello,

I’m looking to upgrade my wire crimping and stripping tools.

For a wire stripper I’m looking at the Knipex 12-12-13 precision wire strippers. Does anyone know if the dies on these are interchangeable. This will strip 10-20 gauge but it would be nice to strip different sizes with it. Any other wire strippers I should look at or any reasons to not buy these?

For a crimper I can’t decide between a DMC HX4 or a Knipex 97-52 or a Knipex 97-43. Both are expensive and both will need dies. Main use is vintage automotive and I use non insulated terminals. Again anything else I should look at or reasons to not buy?

Thanks,
Andrew

 

[JBH]

Hello,

I’m looking to upgrade my wire crimping and stripping tools.

For a wire stripper I’m looking at the Knipex 12-12-13 precision wire strippers. Does anyone know if the dies on these are interchangeable. This will strip 10-20 gauge but it would be nice to strip different sizes with it. Any other wire strippers I should look at or any reasons to not buy these?

I’m not a huge fan of that style - I prefer the Pressmaster Embla/Weidmüller Stripax style; Knipex has one in that style too. The big difference is with stranded wire, which can differ substantially in thickness for a given aggregate AWG. Still, at least that Knipex has a depth stop, unlike most of that form factor. So if that’s the form factor you want it’s probably the most complete of them.

For a crimper I can’t decide between a DMC HX4 or a Knipex 97-52 or a Knipex 97-43. Both are expensive and both will need dies. Main use is vintage automotive and I use non insulated terminals. Again anything else I should look at or reasons to not buy?

I’m unfamiliar with DMC. If Knipex/Rennsteig then Crimp System is the way to go. Parallel crimp and unparalleled die selection. Also locators available for many connectors.

Another alternative is Pressmaster MCT (sold under a number of brands; mine is “Facom.”) Also parallel crimp, MCT advantages are cost, portability - the dies come in plastic cases that click together - and maybe slightly greater leverage as the handles are longer. Disadvantages are fewer die options than Crimp System (though all the common ones) and no available locators.

 

[richfinn]

Hello,

I’m looking to upgrade my wire crimping and stripping tools.

For a wire stripper I’m looking at the Knipex 12-12-13 precision wire strippers. Does anyone know if the dies on these are interchangeable. This will strip 10-20 gauge but it would be nice to strip different sizes with it. Any other wire strippers I should look at or any reasons to not buy these?

For a crimper I can’t decide between a DMC HX4 or a Knipex 97-52 or a Knipex 97-43. Both are expensive and both will need dies. Main use is vintage automotive and I use non insulated terminals. Again anything else I should look at or reasons to not buy?

Thanks,
Andrew

What kind of vintage connections?, I've had good luck with a company called Durite for period correct automotive crimp tools and terminals

I still have the bullet crimper/insertion tools from a project I worked on

Really old school but good to have if you want to keep stuff original

https://www.durite.co.uk/itm/72750/Crimping-Tools/Crimping-Tool-for-Brass-*******/000450#

 

[theoldwizard1]

Just a DIY guy, but I tend to do more than average amount of electrical, but much is not typical. You are going to find that depending on the job, you are going to want/need different strippers/cutters

First, everyone needs a good pair of linesman pliers. Still the best tool for twisting together multiple NM-B conductors. 9" is the most common, but I have seen smaller, which I do not recommend.

Second, I am not a fan of "automatic" strippers. Maybe I just never tried a good set. I have 3 different Ideal T-strippers that can handle from 10 AWG to 30 AWG. Straight handles and I don't think they even have springs.

Crimpers, again it depends. For your typical terminals, I prefer un-insulated with dual wall heat shrink. Hard to beat Klein 1006, they handle 10 too 22 AWG terminals, but they are expensive.

I also have a few "specialty" crimpers, like RJ45 and Snap-N-Seal F-connectors.

 

[blarf]

Second, I am not a fan of "automatic" strippers. Maybe I just never tried a good set. I have 3 different Ideal T-strippers that can handle from 10 AWG to 30 AWG. Straight handles and I don't think they even have springs.

Based on a bunch of posts on GJ I ended up buying a Pressmaster MCT frame and a Pressmaster auto stripper. Both from Waytek – they've got the best prices around but I'm loathe to deal with them again. The MCT frame and dies are sold under a ton of other brand names too (Wiha comes to mind). In terms of ease of use nothing touches the MCT – it's got a retaining pin keeping the two halves of the dies together and the dies are clipped into the frame. You won't lose half of the die and you won't be fiddling with thumb screws to secure it.

The little Pressmaster auto stripper does pretty well but does poorly with some of the softer insulation. The best tip I can offer up is to spend some time dialing it in for whatever wire you're going to be stripping. For the softer insulation I ended up buying a Klein Katapult and a little stop for it. The stop was unreasonably expensive for a little bit of plastic but totally worth it IMO.

Most of what I use the MCT with are the heat shrink **** splice connectors and the die for that works a treat. I've ended up with a few other dies (RJ45, some barrel crimp stuff) and some work better than others. With *modern* automotive connectors the problem I've found is that unless you're dropping a few grand on the proprietary tools you're not going to come close to the factory crimps. So I've settled on getting pigtails from the dealer and using **** splice connectors. Depending on how old the car is you can get Metripack and Weatherpack dies for the MCT frame if that's your poison.

I think I went with a Greenlee crimper and dies for the Deutsch/Amp DTM/ATM stuff (modular breakout setup for testing control units and homebrew diag tools).

With ethernet stuff Cat6 is just a pain to work with. Live, learn, and buy pre-made cables.

 

[jeffmoss26]

Kleinnnnnn

 

[skruft]

If you are doing only smaller non-insulated terminals, then I think you would get as good a crimp with a high quality simpler model if you are careful. I have old T&B ratcheting crimpers but am not sure they do any better on non-insulated than the ones that look like long pliers, which are easier in tight places.

I think much depends on your own preference.