Looking to buy a ratcheting crimper

[daithi]

Hey there,
I was wondering if the fine folks of GJ could help me out.

I would like to buy myself a ratcheting crimper. I'm an apprentice Heavy Duty Mechanic. Will mostly be using it for **** connectors to replace damaged wires. We usually have these Heat Shrink **** Connectors at the shop, although we also use vinyl non shrinkable **** connectors as well as ring terminals etc.

I have a crappy pliers crimper, and I know people will suggest getting a better non ratcheting crimper. The other day I was having trouble with a crimp, I had to wedge myself under the lifted cab of a skidsteer and fix a broken wire, arms and legs sticking everywhere like a Russian contortionist and I kept dropping the **** connector, the wire or both. It was really frustrating, until someone handed me a ratcheting crimper and I got it first try. I was able to go to the second click just to hold the connector, essentially freeing up the third hand I don't have.

I've got a couple options open on Amazon:

Tool Aid 18960
Astro 9477
Titan 11950

Tool Aid is the brand I borrowed. My buddy is happy with his and he's had it for years. I can also buy it locally which is kind of nice that I can support my local shop. According to their website there's a die for heat shrink connectors, but I can't seem to find it anywhere in Canada, and US websites want $50+ USD for shipping.

Astro is the Brand that's most recognizable to me - although that might not mean anything. Doesn't seem like there's any option for a heat shrink die at all.

The Titan comes with a heat shrink die already. It's also the most expensive (at least before adding an extra die to the Tool Aid) and a Brand I haven't heard of before. The reviews are all pretty favorable though.

I'm sure there's many more options out there - from cheaper junk to thousand dollar tools to be designed to be used non stop for years. I can stretch the budget a little bit but don't want to spend $300 on a tool I'll probably use less than once a month - especially when the shopping list of other tools I'll use more frequently is so long right now. Also the options in Canada are usually more limited than the US unfortunately.

 

[decableguy2000]

I have the Titan, no complaints. Also have a higher leverage Wirefy, again no complaints. The dies are interchangeable. Willing to bet the Astro dies will interchange as well. You can order direct from Wirefy and use promo codes for 15% off.

 

[CJM8515]

id go with the astro as I have found they are very good to us tool heads and warranty stuff easily.

for as much as I need to crimp, i still have the cheapo crimper no name brand i got at pepboys like 20 years ago that served me well.

 

[Radio Flyer]

A little different approach.....


The shop has this one, Heat shrink crimpers


And I have this one, Standard crimpers


By having 2, I never have to change dies. The handles are different colors, so its easy to grab the right ones.

 

[ForrestT]

I got mine at autozone I believe. It’s been fine. Harbor Freight makes one too that seems a little cheaper built, but I’ve used one of those too. I’d think Napa or another auto supply store would work fine.

 

[71firebird400]

I've seen a substation fail it's commissioning because the ratcheting crimpers were mis-adjusted and hundreds of terminations were loose. This might be an area where the old fashioned style is better. The Snap-On's are particularly well thought out and have a lot of leverage.

 

[daithi]

I have the Titan, no complaints. Also have a higher leverage Wirefy, again no complaints. The dies are interchangeable. Willing to bet the Astro dies will interchange as well. You can order direct from Wirefy and use promo codes for 15% off.

To be honest I skipped over the Wirefy on Amazon because it looked more like a cheap toy than the others. The higher leverage, included heat shrink die, changing system etc all look really good though, I'll have to see if they ship to Canada.

id go with the astro as I have found they are very good to us tool heads and warranty stuff easily.

for as much as I need to crimp, i still have the cheapo crimper no name brand i got at pepboys like 20 years ago that served me well.

If they had the heat shrink die I probably would have ordered the Astro without even thinking twice

A little different approach.....


The shop has this one, Heat shrink crimpers


And I have this one, Standard crimpers


By having 2, I never have to change dies. The handles are different colors, so its easy to grab the right ones.

I'm going to try and push the shop to buy a full Deutsch service kit, so I'll swallow the cost of the regular terminal crimper

I've seen a substation fail it's commissioning because the ratcheting crimpers were mis-adjusted and hundreds of terminations were loose. This might be an area where the old fashioned style is better. The Snap-On's are particularly well thought out and have a lot of leverage.

Stakes are a little lower with a headlight! The local Snap-On rep is completely useless. Some of the guys I work with have handed him broken tools and not seen him again for weeks. A Snap-On tool has to be 100x better than all the alternatives for me to consider it

 

[scooby074]

Look at the ProPoint from Princess. I have it and its great. Its basically the Astro. On sale for $89 now as well. https://www.princessauto.com/en/7-p...ire-terminal-crimper-kit/product/PA0008355331

Also grab one of the Snapon PWCS7CF when you see him. It very handy. Good stripper and non-ratchet crimp. Can get a lot of leverage with them.

 

[oldwino]

I’ve been happy with the Astro crimpers. Is there anything better? Probably, but these have served me well

 

[toyotadriver]

It’s probably cheaper than you want but I have the Doyle from Harbor Freight and it makes nice tight crimps. I’m happy with it.

I also really like the heat shrink/solder **** splices. I use them for almost everything.

 

[Radio Flyer]

I'm going to try and push the shop to buy a full Deutsch service kit, so I'll swallow the cost of the regular terminal crimper

I did a really poor job of explaining it.

There is a "special" crimper for the heat shrink, the shop bought that one. The "special" crimper prevents the heat shrink from being pierced when crimped. I really hate it when regular crimpers are used improperly and pierce the heat shrink. I usually come across them several years later, when the the splice turns green, but looks sealed.


There is also a ratchet style crimper for regular terminals. I bought that one. It is what our OEM uses during assembly for proper crimps. I use it to ensure the same quality for repairs.

So, depending on what I'm doing, There are 2 different tools. By have 2 separate tools, I never have to change dies.

 

[AdAstra]

Will Waytek Wire ship to Canada for a reasonable price? You could get their private-labeled Pressmaster MCT (~US$50) and get the dies you need for about $50 each as well, including the heat shrink die for 14-22 AWG heat shrink connectors, plus the same for insulated **** connectors. It will be way higher quality/give better results than the ones you originally linked. You can add dies as you need, including tons specialized ones for other connectors (Weatherpack, etc.) so the tool can scale with your career and needs instead of being limited to the original assortment.

 

[daithi]

I did a really poor job of explaining it.

There is a "special" crimper for the heat shrink, the shop bought that one. The "special" crimper prevents the heat shrink from being pierced when crimped. I really hate it when regular crimpers are used improperly and pierce the heat shrink. I usually come across them several years later, when the the splice turns green, but looks sealed.


There is also a ratchet style crimper for regular terminals. I bought that one. It is what our OEM uses during assembly for proper crimps. I use it to ensure the same quality for repairs.

So, depending on what I'm doing, There are 2 different tools. By have 2 separate tools, I never have to change dies.

I get what you're saying. I just mean I'm going to suggest work buys the $300+ Deutsch Terminal service kit. I can probably convince my boss no problem, but I don't think I can also ask him to buy another shop tool in the same breath. For that reason I'll buy my own terminal crimper(s)

Will Waytek Wire ship to Canada for a reasonable price? You could get their private-labeled Pressmaster MCT (~US$50) and get the dies you need for about $50 each as well, including the heat shrink die for 14-22 AWG heat shrink connectors, plus the same for insulated **** connectors. It will be way higher quality/give better results than the ones you originally linked. You can add dies as you need, including tons specialized ones for other connectors (Weatherpack, etc.) so the tool can scale with your career and needs instead of being limited to the original assortment.

I have been looking at those - they look great and came up on a lot of my GJ searching. Unfortunately Waytek won't even give me a shipping cost. They just want me to pre-auth my credit card for Fedex to charge as much as they see fit. So that's kind of out of the question. Do you know if they do any other rebrands? Seems like the Wiha is discontinued.

 

[Rinspeed]

I have a Molex same as this and it's an awesome tool, I would snag this one fast before it gets away.




https://www.ebay.com/itm/303281813483?hash=item469d0137eb:g:RNsAAOSwtbldeUft

 

[cjarvis]

I bought the 3 crimpers that I have individually. I have Hiltichi, iWiss and Titan, and all are perfectly serviceable. Were I to do it again, I'd probably go with the Astro kit you've listed above, or similar.

 

[Radio Flyer]

I did a really poor job of explaining it.

I usually come across them several years later, when the the splice turns green, but looks sealed.There is a "special" crimper for the heat shrink, the shop bought that one. The "special" crimper prevents the heat shrink from being pierced when crimped. I really hate it when regular crimpers are used improperly and pierce the heat shrink.

There is also a ratchet style crimper for regular terminals. I bought that one. It is what our OEM uses during assembly for proper crimps. I use it to ensure the same quality for repairs.

So, depending on what I'm doing, There are 2 different tools. By have 2 separate tools, I never have to change dies.

Yes, I do work with some “true professionals”.

 

[HenryAZ]

I have the Klein VDV200-010, with three sets of dies. One for uninsulated terminals, one for insulated (red/blue/yellow), and one for ferrules/round pin terminals. The insulated crimper does a nice job of making two crimps, one around the stripped wire, and a lesser one around the insulated part.

I mostly use uninsulated terminals with marine heat shrink. Some of them are quite thin, and have a seam. Others are thicker with no seam. I use the Klein on the thicker ones only, as it just completely mashes the thin ones. For those, I grab a Klein traditional type crimper (non-ratcheting).

 

[Outahere]

This is worth reading:

Quality crimp connections, the right tool makes all the difference

I think we've all heard the wisdom about the right tool for the job and how much easier it can make it to complete your task. I have something of a tool habit, so I frequently use this wisdom as an excuse to go buy another tool. But, sometimes the cost of the "right" tool is high enough to cause...

panbo.com

Marine Wire Termination - Marine How To

Marine Wire Termination - Tools of the Trade MHT Recommended Tools: The products below are our top picks for crimp tools. RecommendationsI include; PRO GRADE, MARINE GRADE, & PENNY SAVER GRADE. Every tool recommended BELOW, we have tested here.

marinehowto.com

 

[daithi]

This is worth reading:

Quality crimp connections, the right tool makes all the difference

I think we've all heard the wisdom about the right tool for the job and how much easier it can make it to complete your task. I have something of a tool habit, so I frequently use this wisdom as an excuse to go buy another tool. But, sometimes the cost of the "right" tool is high enough to cause...

panbo.com

Marine Wire Termination - Marine How To

Marine Wire Termination - Tools of the Trade MHT Recommended Tools: The products below are our top picks for crimp tools. RecommendationsI include; PRO GRADE, MARINE GRADE, & PENNY SAVER GRADE. Every tool recommended BELOW, we have tested here.

marinehowto.com

I had read the Marine How To page already and just read that Panbo one and all of its comments. The HST Pro in the MHT article is basically impossible to buy right now.

The Panbo article, its comments and several other things I've read have me set on something I can buy a Heat Shrink die for, which pretty much rules out the Astro set and as of right now the Tool-Aid. Now granted these are all probably the exact same thing, made in the exact same factory but I just don't want to spend that much money on a frame and die and then find out they're slightly different.

So I contacted my local auto parts store. They can get me another line (again, probably the same factory as all of them) sold/branded by Pico Canada. The lineup is called Caméléon, and there's a big selection of dies including Heat Shrink and closed barrel Deutsch which I haven't seen anywhere else.

Caméléon :: Pico of Canada Ltd

picocanada.com

The price for a case, 8" crimper, wire stripper and 3 dies is about the same as the original 3 options. And I get to buy from a store I like instead of Amazon. I just haven't decided if I should spend a little extra for the 10" crimper or not.

 

[AdAstra]

That Caméléon does seem to have a good lineup of dies, and nice that they seem to be an established brand that might have done more R&D on the die shapes specific for Deutsch connectors. Getting a double crimp geometry right is hard, so good sign that they call out specific terminals rather than generic "open barrel type". Video showing they have a North America-based product manager:

Seems like a good sign.

I'd spring for the extra length: when crimping bigger wire it can take a lot of force to crimp.

Another option if you're getting one of this pattern of non-name-brand tool, this Wirefly one has a ton of dies for the price. The tool itself looks like a copy of the Paladin PA8000

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B092MRZ5JK/?tag=atomicindus08-20

https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B092MRZ5JK/?tag=atomicindus04-20

 

[HenryAZ]

My go-to crimper for when a ratcheting one is not the right tool, is the Klein 1006 crimper.

 

[daithi]

That Caméléon does seem to have a good lineup of dies, and nice that they seem to be an established brand that might have done more R&D on the die shapes specific for Deutsch connectors. Getting a double crimp geometry right is hard, so good sign that they call out specific terminals rather than generic "open barrel type". Video showing they have a North America-based product manager:

Seems like a good sign.

I'd spring for the extra length: when crimping bigger wire it can take a lot of force to crimp.

Another option if you're getting one of this pattern of non-name-brand tool, this Wirefly one has a ton of dies for the price. The tool itself looks like a copy of the Paladin PA8000

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B092MRZ5JK/?tag=atomicindus08-20

https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B092MRZ5JK/?tag=atomicindus04-20

The Wirefly looks like a good price at first, and if I was in the states where they do direct sales I'd probably give them a shot. Once you order from Amazon.ca there's a $40 charge on top of the $200 price for duties & handling. That's enough to cover several more dies as I need them with a lower up front cost for buying the Pico. And to be honest, a few of those dies will probably never end up being used.

I'm going to order the Pico today, I'll post some photos when it arrives.

 

[decableguy2000]

The Pico looks just like the Wirefy and Titans. The dies are labeled the same.

 

[dlwilson]

I use these cheapo Amazon crimpers. I only do uninsulated connectors with heat shrink, and they have worked fine for perhaps 500 connectors.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07QXNF8XW/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[daithi]

The Pico looks just like the Wirefy and Titans. The dies are labeled the same.

I think it likely is the exact same now that I have it in my hands. Oddly the Pico leaflet advertises more dies (K series for Deutsch) than Wirefly do, I would imagine Wirefly will add those to their offerings down the line.

Anyway it worked out slightly cheaper through my local Auto Parts store than the Wirefly would have, and I got to buy local which is always a plus. Good option for Canadians.

 

[jrsavoie]

A little different approach.....


The shop has this one, Heat shrink crimpers


And I have this one, Standard crimpers


By having 2, I never have to change dies. The handles are different colors, so its easy to grab the right ones.

Not having to change dies is good for me. I haven't been spending much time in the shop and find myself forgetting what I have and where to look.
We can't have everything sitting on the bench in sight
I remember buying a crimper with changeable dies, mainly for doing bare connectors. I had forgot about it until I started looking for something better for crimping heat shrink connectors.
I'm sure the last crimper I bought had dies for the heat shrink connectors.

 

[jrsavoie]

I've seen a substation fail it's commissioning because the ratcheting crimpers were mis-adjusted and hundreds of terminations were loose. This might be an area where the old fashioned style is better. The Snap-On's are particularly well thought out and have a lot of leverage.

Do you have a link or number?
Thanks

 

[71firebird400]

Do you have a link or number?
Thanks

29ACF

Snap-on Store

shop.snapon.com

 

[matlok]

I just got the Astro 9477; I’ve only used it on one job but so far I’m happy with it. I used a Wirefly A5 (for heat shrink connectors) with it and it fits/works perfectly.

Wirefly A5 - Amazon

 

[Hughmongus]

I love my HST Pros for heat shrink. Had them for about 4 years now.

 

[boom_bap]

Are the dies interchangable between the wirefy, titan, and astro brands. Astro doesn't sell the h6,h7 weatherpak dies separately so curious if they can use the titan dies.

For non-insulated do people still like the ratcheting type or the tb, klein, or channellock, plier style.

 

[decableguy2000]

I can confirm that Wirefy and Titan do, I have both.

 

[Outahere]

I bought a Molex crimper at Mouser for $75. Also available at DigiKey. This tool is designed to give high quality crimps when using Molex Avikrimp and Insulkrimp insulated terminals and splices.



On the left is the Molex die, on the right is a Paladin die.

 

[rmack898]

I didn’t see any mention of Ancor.
I’ve had this crimper for almost 20 year and it’s crimped thousands of terminals. Ancor makes some of the best terminals used in the marine industry and their crimpers just plain old work good.

 

[thisisjimlarson]

I love my HST Pros for heat shrink. Had them for about 4 years now.

Which ones are you referring to?

 

[thisisjimlarson]

I think it likely is the exact same now that I have it in my hands. Oddly the Pico leaflet advertises more dies (K series for Deutsch) than Wirefly do, I would imagine Wirefly will add those to their offerings down the line.

Anyway it worked out slightly cheaper through my local Auto Parts store than the Wirefly would have, and I got to buy local which is always a plus. Good option for Canadians.

I’m looking for crimpers as well and just read this thread & all the suggestions… So, it looks like you bought the PICO‘s. Any regrets/suggestions? I can’t seem to find the Pico (Cameleon) anywhere in the U.S. (online). I thought about buying the best quality/best warranty frame I could find and then buy the dies I need (mostly heat shrink, insulated, ferrules 12-24awg).

 

[Hughmongus]

Which ones are you referring to?

The ones featured in the Marine How To website. Think a earlier post eluded to a issue with availability now.

 

[jrsavoie]

I need to do some 10 ga relay socket terminals.

Any specific recommendations?

My previous crimper has disappeared

 

[Steve_P]

Many of the ratcheting crimpers are the same tool, just with different grips, a different color case, maybe a different selection of dies in the case. Wirefy and Astro are a good start, and they appear to be the same basic tool.
For non-ratcheting, I love the Channellock 909. I also have the Carlyle copy of the Snap On shown above and only use it when I need the space over the 909; I definitely prefer the 909.

 

[dnschmidt]

Non ratcheting Doyle as well as ratcheting. I've never had a problem with using a normal crimper with heat shrink terminals. Don't know what all the fuss is about.