Tool for trimming battery posts?

[1967rsss]

Bought original style battery cables for my '67 Camaro and my newer style battery posts are too thick. Is there a tool to trim the posts down a bit so I dont max out the new cable connectors?

 

[Kev442]

I dunno if there is a tool, but I would use a rasp to taper the tops and then use a hole saw without the centering bit to buzz them smaller. I would also go sloooooow!

 

[Sparkfarmer]

how much needs to come off?

 

[Syndicate]

I would think swapping out the ends would be much easier and safer than trimming posts.

 

[WVBrady]

There is a type of tool for cleaning the battery posts that takes off a little of the post. It has a blade that works like a cheap pencil sharpener, if you remember what wooden pencils used to look like. That's the reason I didn't like them for cleaning the posts; they took off too much material.

 

[Outlawmws]

If you only need a little, get one of the "reamer" style post cleaners. If a lot, get the right cables...

 

[srmofo]

I know there is a tool to ream the battery cable terminals larger, which also cleans and cuts the correct angles on the posts.

http://www.google.com/products/cata...=X&ei=DX-HT_uBNaOy8AGMzJS7CA&ved=0CKQBEPMCMAY

edit damn ninjas on this site beat me to it...but I got the link, so I win!

 

[HubbaBubba]

DONT TOUCH THE POSTS!. Enlarge the terminals.

 

[davesnothere]

DONT TOUCH THE POSTS!. Enlarge the terminals.

Agreed.

 

[1967rsss]

Thanks guys. The directions on the American Autowire cables says to "trim" them. Have not measured yet but I dont think too much has to come off.

 

[rlitman]

then use a hole saw without the centering bit

Not this.

There is a type of tool for cleaning the battery posts that takes off a little of the post. It has a blade that works like a cheap pencil sharpener, if you remember what wooden pencils used to look like.

This.

The reason is that battery posts (and the inside of your terminals) are tapered, and the hole saw will ruin that taper, which will hurt your terminal's fit.

Now, if you have that tool linked above, you'll note that one head is also designed to ream your terminals to a matching taper, and that will work just as well too.

The best answer may be a combination of both.

 

[BD1]

What about using a flapper wheel ???

 

[rlitman]

What about using a flapper wheel ???

You want to get lead dust in the air?

 

[W650Mike]

Reamer / Cutter as shown above. I used one last night to fit some UK made clamp-ons for a trap machine. Cut as much or little as you need.

 

[BD1]

You want to get lead dust in the air?

Hold shop vac at post while trimming. I would not suggest doing it in kitchen.

 

[Kev442]

Completely slipped my mind that they are tapered.
Glad to hear there are tools, I haven't ever had this situation.

 

[rlitman]

Hold shop vac at post while trimming. I would not suggest doing it in kitchen.

Ok, please stop. The battery terminal is conical. No matter how good you think you are with a sander, you'll never get the shape to mate up with the terminal, and a poor fit makes for a poor electrical connection (and a future of corrosion issues). This is a case where there is a right tool for the job.

 

[Kevin54]

^^^This^^^

And use one of these for spreading the terminals instead of prying with a screwdriver.
Coat the terminal and post with a little dielectric grease before putting the two together.

 

[rlitman]

Coat the terminal and post with a little dielectric grease before putting the two together.

That's not a bad idea. I spray my posts with a shot of Permatex battery terminal protector, and then liberally spray the whole assembly after it's all together. Never had any corrosion issues.

If you don't like the blue/purple color, then you can also use Boeshield.

 

[nutjob]

You mentioned that "Bought original style battery cables" which might be spring ring style? If so, go slow cutting down the battery posts, you can't make the cable clamp any tighter, just a bit looser.

Kevin

 

[1320stang]

So, if you have to have original terminal ends, why not get an original style battery? They make repos.