What's the difference between a crimper for end sleeves and a crimper for solderless terminals? I need to finally get a crimping plier for automotive work, and I'm hoping to be able to get either 1 tool to do it all, or if it's cheaper a couple of dedicated tools...speaking of which, if someone wants to look around Knipex, Wiha, and NWS and make a recommendation....
There really isn't a truly "one-size-fits-all" crimp tool, as different terminals require different size and shapes to crimp properly (die profile). The closest you can come to one, would be a unit that has an interchangeable dies. These can still have limitations (i.e. don't offer a die profile you need), and may not have terminal locators, which mean you'd need to have a bit more training/skill to make sure the terminals are located properly before squeezing the handles. So if you go for such a unit, make sure they offer the dies you need beforehand.
A good yet reasonable interchangeable unit, would be a Pressmaster MCT. For pricing, go to Waytek.com (
tool here). Check their catalog for their P/N's on the dies (they usually have better prices for the dies).
BTW, Pressmaster tends to ODM most of the best crimpers out there (COO = Sweden if it matters to you), and are branded as Wiha, Xcelite, and even terminal makers rebrand them, such as 3M, Molex, Thomas&Betts, and a couple of others.
Dedicated tools will do this as well of course, and are more likely to include a locator (makes it a bit easier), but tends to be quite a bit more expensive, especially when you're using quality tools.
Think of it this way; it's possible to get a good ratcheting interchangeable model for ~$50, and add dies as you need them (can range from ~$40 - 120 if you know where to get them). Some are more expensive of course, but it's still better than $200 - 300 per tool for dedicated models (top notch quality).
You can get cheaper with Asian made brands, but they tend to be inconsistent (poor QC, and may not be able to adjust the tool sufficiently to fix the issue). "You get what you pay for" genuinely holds true with these types of tools, and I'd recommend avoiding the plier types as well, as the skill required is much greater (too likely to under or over crimp).
