Quality wire crimper

[JeeperAz]

I'm going to be doing a complete rewire of a vehicle and I was hoping to get some suggestions for a good crimping tool for smaller gauge wires.

Any suggestions for a quality crimping tool? My main concern is 'over-crimping' which the cheaper tools do.

 

[redvalkyrie]

I'm going to be doing a complete rewire of a vehicle and I was hoping to get some suggestions for a good crimping tool for smaller gauge wires.

Any suggestions for a quality crimping tool? My main concern is 'over-crimping' which the cheaper tools do.

I've used this one from Griot's Garage and love it.

http://www.griotsgarage.com/catalog.jsp?&SKU=15950

 

[Fast Orange]

That crimper from Griots looks a lot like the one I have from T&B that cost several times as much. When I bought mine,I was working on a project that had to meet MIL specs and the crimpers had to be certified to meet the manufacturer's specification.T&B sold me the crimpers and provided a certification sheet.We did over 2000 crimps and the only failures were due to human error.
One suggestion for vehicle/machine wiring-T&B has a line of crimp terminals that come with heat shrink insulation that also has a thermal glue inside the heat shrink.Properly used,these things are about bullet proof,particularly in harsh environments with a lot of vibration/shock.They're pricy,but worth it.

George

 

[JeeperAz]

Thanks for the tip on the crimper at Griots. It's a but cheaper than similar ones I was looking at. I'll give it a shot.

George,
Thanks for the tip on the terminals. I'll have a look. At the least, all of the heat shrink I'll be using will have the adhesive in it (I believe it's called dual wall?).

 

[iiibdsiil]

http://www.channellock.com/acb/stores/1/909_-_THE_CRIMPER_8482_-_Cr_P90C17.cfm

I've used those on almost every connector I've ever crimped. Crimp them, give it a GOOD tug, if it feels like it's coming out, or comes out, recrimp it. If it holds, chances are it's not going anywhere. I don't think I've ever had a crimp come apart after I checked it using that method.

I think the quality connectors is the biggest thing here. You want the ones with the nylon insulation, the hard vinyl *****, or however it is. The hard ones split when you crimp them, the others don't.

 

[79rallysport]

That one from Griot's looks exactly like the one I got from Advance Auto Parts for about the same price. I've used it a lot and it does a good job.

 

[Jared]

Those channelock ones are awsome I highly recomend them

 

[imported_banzaitoyota]

www.terminaltown.com

http://www.americanautowire.com/products/Tools_of_the_trade.cfm

 

[redvalkyrie]

I like the Griot's crimpers because they are ratcheting. Makes crimping numerous terminals less tiresome.

 

[mylesc]

Klein Journeyman crimpers are very nice

 

[ZRX61]

Have a look in the electrical dept at Lowes, they must have 80 different kinds

 

[eschoendorff]

Have a look in the electrical dept at Lowes, they must have 80 different kinds

Yeah... seriously, consider a Klein. There's a reason that all the electricians use Klein....

BTW, those Channellocks look good. I think taht Channellock makes some of the most underrated tools in the industry. I have never had a Channellock plier fail me, and my grandfather's are still working - long after he passed.

 

[HighOctane]

Jobmates where its at! W00T! lmao j/k. try a mastercraft one if you know where to get them.

 

[Buck_nekid]

I use crimpers 10 hours a day working on cars (Stereo, Security, Audio/Video, Remote Start) And when the connection isn't soldered I use these, T&B TC2000. They cost more than your average crimping tool, but they cut, strip and crimp. These are the standard used by most installers. They can be found a few places for cheaper.
T & B Crimpers

 

[husky125]

I have the Kleins and really like them. I haven't used them on smaller gauge wire only 12 and 14.

 

[Tom]

I personally use a combination of tools. A Matco/Belden/whoever stripper and a Klein crimper. The strippers are a bit flimsy for a good crimp. The Kleins give me a lot more leverage. Been using the combination for about 15 years now.
As a side note, I prefer a stripper that is closer to the handle not out toward the tip.

 

[bmwpower]

I have a brand similar to the Griot's type, but yellow handle. The only problem with the ratcheting kind is if you start to ratchet and the piece is a little off, there's no way to un-ratchet - you have to ratchet all the way down to remove the tool. Can be a pain, especially in tight areas, like under the dash.

 

[Winmon]

I also have type that Griots sells (They are branded MSD, but I am sure they are the same). I am very happy with them, except for the issue bmwpower mentions about the ratcheting. You can also buy jaws for them that will crimp spark plug wires. MSD does have a newer style, but they are pricey..

$68.88 @ Summit Racing
http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?autofilter=1&part=MSD%2D35051&N=700+0&autoview=sku

 

[wantedabiggergarage]

I have a brand similar to the Griot's type, but yellow handle. The only problem with the ratcheting kind is if you start to ratchet and the piece is a little off, there's no way to un-ratchet - you have to ratchet all the way down to remove the tool. Can be a pain, especially in tight areas, like under the dash.

I have a Matco version of the Griots and the one above. If it is like those two, you CAN release it, though not easily by hand. It is easier to use a little flat blade screwdriver, on that lever at the handle.

I picked up mine at a damaged freight store. Nothing wrong with it, and I gave either $14 or $12 bucks (bought two things and don't remember which was what).

 

[redvalkyrie]

Yeah, the Griot's version does have a release--it's the lever inside the handle. Not the easiest to use but there none the less.

 

[swgray]

I also have type that Griots sells (They are branded MSD, but I am sure they are the same). I am very happy with them, except for the issue bmwpower mentions about the ratcheting. You can also buy jaws for them that will crimp spark plug wires. MSD does have a newer style, but they are pricey..

$68.88 @ Summit Racing
http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?autofilter=1&part=MSD%2D35051&N=700+0&autoview=sku

I've got 5 or 6 pairs of crimpers, 3 or 4 brands. Sargent, Ideal, Jensen. I like the angle headed ones.

They all have a release lever, its that black pawl sticking up from the lower handle.

 

[byrdman]

I've got the ratcheting style as well, I love it. I look forward to wiring projects in fact. HOWEVER, I've YET to figure out how to crimp this type of connector with it. My crimper came with 4 different dies and none of them seem to fit it:

What's required to crimp these things?

 

[swgray]

I've got the ratcheting style as well, I love it. I look forward to wiring projects in fact. HOWEVER, I've YET to figure out how to crimp this type of connector with it. My crimper came with 4 different dies and none of them seem to fit it:

What's required to crimp these things?

What size wire does that use? If its 22-26 ga., this tool may work.
http://www.mcmaster.com/
page 1726
94575T55
Crimper for Crimp-On Computer Connector

This would work if they are larger sizes. 22-14
http://www.paladin-tools.com/view_tool.php?id=400

I have the one from McMaster. They're nice for the smaller connectors since they have a spring loaded holding device for the terminal.

Check these out too. Sargent tools.
http://www.rostratool.com/

 

[Senorpablo]

These are among the Cadillac of crimpers:

Excellite ratcheting crimper

Excellite mini ratcheting crimper

AMP Crimper

 

[JeeperAz]

Thanks to all that replied to this post. I ended up purchasing a ratcheting style crimper like in many of the pictures already shared here.

Works awesome... makes factory style automotive crimps, which was my goal.

 

[JeeperAz]

I've got the ratcheting style as well, I love it. I look forward to wiring projects in fact. HOWEVER, I've YET to figure out how to crimp this type of connector with it. My crimper came with 4 different dies and none of them seem to fit it:

What's required to crimp these things?

Might want to try this:
http://reviews.ebay.com/T56-Modification-From-OEM-Die_W0QQugidZ10000000002325731


edit * the same guy also sells dies for those terminals.

 

[KingPerformance]

I'm going to be doing a complete rewire of a vehicle and I was hoping to get some suggestions for a good crimping tool for smaller gauge wires.

Any suggestions for a quality crimping tool? My main concern is 'over-crimping' which the cheaper tools do.

Honestly, the type of criper you need is going to depend on what type of electrical connector you are going to use. I have some cripers that cost over $500 for specialty mil spec connectors. I also have a $30 Matco criper that I use for standard crimps. You have to decide what type of connection you are going to make before you decide what type of crimper you are going to purchase.

GM weather packs need a differen't crimper then a standard crimper. Are you going to re-pin a factory ecu? That requires still a differen't crimper. Sure, you can probably fudge by and get something to crimp with the wrong crimper, but some time down the road you will literally be pulling your hair out trying to figure out why you have that intermitant rough idle, occasional missfire, etc etc etc ...

 

[wilbilt]

I picked up one of these T&B crimpers at a storage sale for $1.00

It's the only one I have used that does a proper crimp on the red-yellow-blue insulated connectors.

 

[Mike F]

Great find! Don't you just love it when people don'y know what they have and basically just give the stuff away?

 

[wilbilt]

It's one of my favorite places to check. They have a perpetual yard sale going on with stuff from defaulted storage units.

There is a lot of junk, but the occasional jewel makes it worthwhile. The prices are generally very cheap. The trick is guessing the right time to show up, i.e., right after they bring out a fresh load of tools, but before everyone else shows up.

 

[1320stang]

My crimpers look a lot like these from McMaster-Carr. http://www.mcmaster.com/ Page 720, Standard Plier Crimpers 7289K1

Plier Crimpers— They may look like a standard pair of pliers, but these have a crimping die marked for insulated and noninsulated terminals from 22-10 AWG. Nose has a wire cutter. Made of steel with a 9 3/4" overall length. Standard style has cushioned handles. 1000 volt insulated-handle style protects you from shocks when working on or near energized equipment.

I bought them for making custom plug wires as my chassis guy told me they work best. I've since used them for everything else as well.

 

[JayL]

Anybody knows if Gardner Bender products like the one below are of good quality?? The Channellock equivalent cost almost twice as much.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00079LN1Y/?tag=atomicindus08-20

http://www.gardnerbender.com

 

[billymade]

I haven't used the GB or the CL but I have one that is a Blue Point equivelent; it is awesome!

Pliers, Terminal Crimping / Cutter, 9 3/8" Stock#: 29CP Price $51.24
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...1&group_ID=797&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog
As usual the Snapon is expensive but Klein makes one that is very similar and works well. The Klein is about half the price of the Snapon.

Klein Tools 1005 Crimping Tool List Price: $31.30 Price: $23.69
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000V6NFO6/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[iiibdsiil]

I'm sure they'll be fine, but I'd spend the extra money to be sure. Another $10 probably won't kill ya, and it's one of your best investments, I promise!

 

[JayL]

I was going to get the Channellock but I just got curious because GB had a good website and I was not familiar with the company.

The Klein looks very good too.

 

[fourfeathers]

I like the OTC Stinger ratcheting crimps fairly well. They are sure cheap enough.

 

[maximus96]

i have this Sears Companion brand version of the similar looks, for under $10. works well for the few times that i have to use it

 

[DHCrocks]

I thought a ratcheting crimper would be the cats meow so I picked up a Snapon ratcheting crimper a few years ago, thinking it would be the best. guess what I used it once and never saw it again. I'm back to using my trusty old Kleins. I didn't like the fact that I had no control over the crimping force, some times you need to apply a bit more then it would allow. But the biggest drawback for me was the fact that I couldn't get it into tight spots due to the large head, might be good on a bench but crawled up twisted under a dashboard with a hundred other wires around it's not gonna happen.