Please school me on crimp tools.

[n8n]

Hi all,

another thread where someone was asking about crimping tools for flag terminals made me start thinking about upgrading my own equipment. I'm assuming that what I want is a ratcheting type tool with interchangeable dies so that if I have an application requiring a crimp and don't have the tools for it I don't need to spend megabucks for a whole new tool but only big bucks for a new die set.

After OCD style searching it appears that the Wiha (but rebranded for Waytek) tool is favored by many, and it appears to be quality, but I could see myself having a need to crimp uninsulated flag terminals (they're used a LOT on older cars) and it doesn't appear that there are dies available for it.

I also saw that there are *tons* of dies available for the Paladin brand tools, including the ones I want. Also Ideal and Pro's Kit brand tools apparently interchange with them. But I don't know if those are good tools to begin with.

I see that there's a "S&G Tool Aid" brand tool that looks very similar and is sold with a kit of 9 different dies

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B008EW92LY/?tag=atomicindus08-20

but again does not include a die set for uninsulated flag terminals. Opinions on this one? Am tempted to order that and then the Pro's Kit dies for the flags

http://www.proskit.com/crimpers/dies?sort=20a&page=3

but don't know if they're compatible?

or am I going about this completely wrong, and there's another type of tool I should be looking at?

 

[ishiboo]

I own two ratcheting crimpers, and I find myself never using the red/blue/yellow crimp terminal die. The issue seems to be that the dies work great for some terminals and not well for others, which is why manufacturers produce their crimp tools (or have them made.) There are many terminals I've found where the correct wire and terminal size does not work in a ratcheting crimp tool (the wire is not snug).

I like the simple Channellock 909. I'm able to produce far more reliable crimps with this. It does not do flag terminals, but I do them so infrequently I just use linesmen pliers for them.

I still use my ratcheting crimper for open barrel connectors and similar things.

 

[n8n]

yeah, I have an old T&B tool that looks identical to the channellock you mention. It works great on uninsulated terminals. Just looking to expand my capabilities some...

 

[ishiboo]

The 909 works great on insulated terminals. I never use uninsulated.

 

[kd3pc]

I have done a lot of boats, cycles and race cars....one of the best sites to be schooled on crimp connections is at:

http://www.pbase.com/mainecruising/wire_termination
and
http://www.pbase.com/mainecruising/terminating_small_wires

His information is quite accurate, well presented and proven well. It all depends on what you are hoping to do. I always tell my customers that I do not want to see them, on this project again, because if I do, that means that one of my connections failed to meet their needs.

All the best, and enjoy mainesails' information

 

[n8n]

I agree to a point, but would prefer better dies for marine/heat shrink type. Which I hardly ever use anyway. I *do* see myself having a need to crimp flags however, which I've never had a proper tool for. Also my weatherpack tool isn't great.

 

[n8n]

I have done a lot of boats, cycles and race cars....one of the best sites to be schooled on crimp connections is at:

http://www.pbase.com/mainecruising/wire_termination
and
http://www.pbase.com/mainecruising/terminating_small_wires

His information is quite accurate, well presented and proven well. It all depends on what you are hoping to do. I always tell my customers that I do not want to see them, on this project again, because if I do, that means that one of my connections failed to meet their needs.

All the best, and enjoy mainesails' information

yes, I've already been reading through those articles. I saw a mention of the Ancor brand tool which is what got me to the Paladin etc. type tools, as they all appear to be the same, and if I am going to buy a tool with replaceable dies I would like to have the widest possible available assortment of them. I have nothing to go on but looking at pictures, but I'd guess that the Ancor, Paladin, Ideal etc. are all made in the same factory somewhere?

 

[n8n]

Well, props to Tool Aid's CS for quick response, just sent a message right after I started this thread and already have a reply

I am not 100% sure, but I believe our Die Sets are compatible with Ideal, not with Paladin and do not know about Pro's Kit Lunar Series as this is the first time the name has crossed my desk. A complete listing for the Die Sets in each of our kits is attached. While our kits were designed for application in the automotive industry, there are cross over applications for other industries.

Thank you for your interest in our products.

unfortunately that still doesn't 100% answer my question although he did try.

Pretty sure that the Lunar Series were advertised as compatible with both Paladin and Ideal though? So maybe they really are all the same tool, or at least compatible?