Ratcheting Crimp Tool

[HaroRider]

I am looking for a decent ratcheting crimp tool, anyone have a good recommendation? I was thinking about the Astro Pneumatic one as it is decently priced, but I am unsure if it is any good.

I just want to be able to do basic insulated connections - from 22-10 AWG

Does anyone have any recommendations say under ~$100?

 

[PelicanPines]

astro pneumatic...

 

[67King]

I got the Astro. Haven't used it, yet, but fit and finish makes me feel as if it a high quality tool.

 

[T45]

I am looking for a decent ratcheting crimp tool, anyone have a good recommendation? I was thinking about the Astro Pneumatic one as it is decently priced, but I am unsure if it is any good.

I just want to be able to do basic insulated connections - from 22-10 AWG

Does anyone have any recommendations say under ~$100?

https://www.waytekwire.com/item/560/Waytek-Customizable-Crimping-Tool-Frame/

same as

https://www.waytekwire.com/item/569/Waytek-Mobile-Crimping-Tool-Kit/

knipex (germany) and presstek (made in sweden) are very good.

pricing wise, look for imports or closeouts on ebay or amazon.

...wiha, excelite, stakon, waytek, molex, and other relabel the pressteks...knipes sold also as reinsteig

 

[Loscaldazar]

SG Tool aid has worked well for me. I have the 7 die version and never have needed a different die!

 

[kd3pc]

For real look, check out this site from a friend of mine in the marine industry.

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

 

[one9gt]

I guess before you can get a decent answer with a decent set we would need to know what exactly you'd be working on... diy'er? Professional? Good crimpers can get expensive real fast.


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[HaroRider]

I guess before you can get a decent answer with a decent set we would need to know what exactly you'd be working on... diy'er? Professional? Good crimpers can get expensive real fast.


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As I said my budget is around $100. However it would be used for automotive. I am a pretty heavy DIY guy. Im not looking for the absolute best, as I can not justify them.

I will not be doing mass amount of crimps daily. But rather repairing automotive wires, rewiring trailers and such.

I hope that helps clarify.

 

[HaroRider]

For real look, check out this site from a friend of mine in the marine industry.

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

Nice read, I honestly didnt know there was different pliers for heat shrink (which I plan to use) and non heat shrink terminals.

Thanks!

 

[Rickss96]

I guess before you can get a decent answer with a decent set we would need to know what exactly you'd be working on... diy'er? Professional?

Best advice yet. For DIY many of the less expensive tools are OK. If you are going to be a pro and crimp wires 4-5 days a week, you will need pro tools that hold up over time

For real look, check out this site from a friend of mine in the marine industry.
http://www.pbase.com/mainecruising/wire_termination

Had not seen this site before, but a quick read shows there is a lot of good advice here. Especially in the type of quality crimp lugs to buy.

https://www.waytekwire.com/item/560/Waytek-Customizable-Crimping-Tool-Frame/
same as
https://www.waytekwire.com/item/569/Waytek-Mobile-Crimping-Tool-Kit/

Go to waytek site and look in their on-line catalog; page 55 has good description of die sets that fit this tool frame. Their dies can crimp wire and seal in single step. The Compass Marine guy (above) would consider this a good mid grade tool. But probably over-kill if you don't need all the different die types.

I can recommend the Astro crimping tool. I use their Weather pack crimp tool rewiring my car. It uses the same ratcheting tool handle with weather pack dies. You definitely want the ratchet feature, and the crimp pressure is adjustable. The same handle is used in their tool set here:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0045CUMLQ/?tag=atomicindus08-20
This set has most of the dies you will ever need as a DIY'er around the house.

 

[gte718p]

I'll join the Astro crowd. You can get them cheaper, but the Astro is on of those one time purchases. The no name china specials not so much. You also have a reasonable expectation of being able to find appropriate matching dies for the Astros if you want to upgrade in the future.

 

[californiaHank]

I have used a Greenlee, similar to this one, for many years -
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0042T940C/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I usually use AMP or 3M brand terminals insulated terminals. The Greenlee crimpers are good for both regular insulated terminals, and heat shrink ones.

There are equivalent tools from Klein, Ideal, and Ancor that are similar to the Greenlee, and about the same price (about $50 - $70, depending who you buy them from). You used to be able to buy US made stuff in that in that price range, but these days, I think all of them are made in Taiwan.

If you want US made or European, you need to spend a lot more money.

 

[T45]

Nice read, I honestly didnt know there was different pliers for heat shrink (which I plan to use) and non heat shrink terminals.

If you plan to use heatshrink, make sure you get the right crimper. Heatshrink is not a standard option on most multi-die crimper sets for whatever reason almost always have to buy as separate.

Here is a $50 single purpose unit
https://www.waytekwire.com/item/480/Hand-Ratchet-Crimp-Tool-22-8-AWG/

Molex version looks somewhat similar
https://www.waytekwire.com/item/479/Molex-64016-0041-Perma-Seal-Hand-Crimping-Tool-/

Die frame for the presstek crimping frame (made in sweeden)

https://www.waytekwire.com/item/566/4300-3258-Die-Set-for-Heat-Shrink-Terminals-/
https://www.waytekwire.com/item/565/4300-3262-Die-Set-for-Heat-Shrink-Terminals-/

Knipex preciforce for heatshrink
https://www.knipex.com/fileadmin/si.../KNIPEX/Produktfotos/web/zoom/975237-00-3.jpg

Note this is the insulated, but non-heat shrink version knipex preciforce for comparison
https://www.knipex.com/fileadmin/si.../KNIPEX/Produktfotos/web/zoom/975236-00-3.jpg

the preciforce you can get in euro countries about 1/2 cost of usa imported knipex. also you can spend alot more money as per the marine article...these are all pretty compact and not outrageously priced.

 

[toplessHO]

I have about 5 different ratchet crimpers for smaller(18-10 ga) terminals
Of all I like my T&B the best but they are older than dirt. Ones with replaceable dies are good,having Amp,Greenlee,Ideal. But note that not all dies will interchange so find one with the dies you need. Greenlee makes many dies that fit others and prices are reasonable.

 

[HaroRider]

Out of curiosity, does the Astro set have a set of dies specifically heat shrink terminals?

 

[kbuhagiar]

For real look, check out this site from a friend of mine in the marine industry.

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

Hello kd3pc,

Thank you so much for that link!

That site should be REQUIRED reading for anyone who has criticized crimp terminations and recommends soldering them as a backup. Done correctly, crimp terminals are the BEST method of wire termination.
It's all about using the right tools and terminals.

 

[Wamsutta]

I guess before you can get a decent answer with a decent set we would need to know what exactly you'd be working on... diy'er? Professional? Good crimpers can get expensive real fast.

I think he said he was crimping battery cable terminals on 00 AWG wire.

 

[Trucksold]

Does anyone know if you can get dies for spark plug wires for the pressmaster frame? I'm looking for a good crimper for general purposes also and am debating between the Astro or Pressmaster.

 

[pozidriv]

https://www.dropbox.com/s/aa93169ud...r Presseinsätze zu Mobile Crimp Tool.pdf?dl=0

Here's a list with the different Pressmaster dies (some seem to be out of production)

 

[skruft]

I have found various brands to work fine and am glad someone told you about the heat shrink terminals. The problem there is that the ratchet crimpers' dies for insulated terminals do not match the heat shrink terminals, and are too loose. If you use a simpler crimper where you can control the pressure, that works.

My personal experience is that the heat shrink terminals are needed only in very moist places. Even in boats the regular ones work fine unless they are near water.

For auto, there are various models in the Summit tool catalog.