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AC hose crimper

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AldeanFan

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Sep 9, 2014
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Niagara on the Lake
I’m installing vintage air on my Country Squire and need to make hoses.

I could go to a hose shop in the city and see if they’ll crimp the hoses that came in the kit,
Or in keeping with garagejournal tradition I can buy another tool I’ll only use once.

Has anyone bought and used one of the crimpers off of Amazon?
 
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kbuhagiar

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Dec 27, 2005
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Escondido, CA
Bought this one seven years ago, paid $169 back then:


I've used it to install three custom automotive AC installations, it's worked perfectly every time so far. I'll be using it again later this year to install AC in my 47 Plymouth.

Here's one identical to what I bought. Looks like it's even cheaper now, at $109:


At that price the hoses themselves will cost more than the crimpers.
 
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y'sguy

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Tulsa, Oklahoma
I never owned one, but I have used one to build AC hoses. Really a treat. I've also realized you can fine-tune the look of the hose layout with several options of just the "right" fitting. It makes a big difference in the way things finish out.
 
K

kbuhagiar

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As an addendum to my earlier reply, when I bought my crimper the only place around me that would crimp hose ends wanted $20 per hose. That was seven years ago, I'm sure labor rates have gone up since then, so it'll probably pay for itself after just one job.
 
R

rollinlower

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Rogersville TN
iv got my eyes on the amazon one myself, i know i only have one or two projects where custom ac would be needed but then i can rent it out to my brothers body shop like i do my tig
 
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mikey03

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Damn you can just make your own AC tubing? That’s real sweet!
 
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zimman

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Mark Twain National Forest
Edit. You may want to reconsider all this. R134 is very expensive. I'd hate to see you $200 into this only to evacuate the system in 48 hours with a slow leak. Ya Know?
Zim
 
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kbuhagiar

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Escondido, CA
zimman said:
Edit. You may want to reconsider all this. R134 is very expensive. I'd hate to see you $200 into this only to evacuate the system in 48 hours with a slow leak. Ya Know?
Zim
Click to expand...
It's not black magic. Anyone who has good technical skills and the right tools can accomplish this. My total layout seven years ago was right around $400, for crimper, vaccuum pump and gauges. It's paid for itself many times over. I would expect that the OP knows his limitations and would not venture forth if he wasn't capable.

He may not be ASE certified, but based on the picture/descriptions/writeups of his garage and cars, there's a pretty good chance he knows what he's doing.
 
J

Junkman

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Dec 18, 2006
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Location
Northeastern CT
If you think R134 is expensive, price out R12! As for leaks, if you properly lubricate the fittings before crimping, they should go together and seal well. My 1962 uses worm-gear hose clamps, and they don't leak, but maybe 2 oz. over 12 months. The leak is so small that my leak detector can't pick it up, unless I invest a small fortune in a more modern one. I just top it off by watching the sight glass and enjoying cool, comfortable air conditioning in my 62-year-old Chevrolet.
 
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