Combination wire stripper and crimper

[buck91]

Combination wire stripper and crimper Just picked up this channel lock brand combination wire stripper and crimper to swap into my mobile kit. I realize I have a stripper but no crimper… I’ve been using a harbor freight unit for a long time and it works fine, although at home I use a nicer ratcheting crimper. Wondering if these channel locks are worth it or if I should just bite the bullet and get some Kliens or if there’s a similar wera or wish model I should be looking at?

 

[mrsilv04]

Those really aren't crimpers. They'll strip wire and cut small bolts nicely... but that's not much of a way to climp much of anything.

 

[BigCahuna]

If your a professional electrician, I'd say buy the best tools you can get your hands on. If your just a home guy who will use the tool once a year, go to Harbor Freight. I have at least 3 of those tools that I use 1 every other blue moon. So paying alot for them is wasting money on something you could use for something else.,,,

 

[wings&wheels]

That style is OK, but a lot depends on the quality; play between the two pieces. If you are a serious hobbyist or more, or work on boats or anything critical, buy a good crimper and stripper set; Wiha, Knipex, Klein, etc.

I keep a pair of those in each old vehicle as a roadside tool, but have the good stuff at home.

If you prefer that style, Knipex make one of the best.

 

[BHopkins]

I've never been very happy with that style of wire stripper/crimper. The stripper portion does a satisfactory job, but the crimp portion has never given me results that I was satisfied with. So I recently bought one similar to this, but will strip 22-12 AWG stranded / 20-10 AWG solid, and does a little nicer of a job at it. And the crimper gives me good results. I also like the plier nose on the end. It works great at looping solid wire for going on a screw type terminal. And the wire cutter does a nicer job too.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/IDEAL-ID-Forged-wire-Stripper-Standard/5000212347

 

[JohnnyG]

I've used one of those for years, not bad, but there are better ones out there. Like others have said, it takes a lot of strength to crimp much using those. Back when I bought them, I had that hand strength, not so much anymore.
I'll give you a tip though, keep all of your skin on the blue parts of the handle! That back crimping slot is perfect for causing blood blisters!!!

 

[wings&wheels]

I've used one of those for years, not bad, but there are better ones out there. Like others have said, it takes a lot of strength to crimp much using those. Back when I bought them, I had that hand strength, not so much anymore.
I'll give you a tip though, keep all of your skin on the blue parts of the handle! That back crimping slot is perfect for causing blood blisters!!!

...i've demonstrated that to myself the hard way!

 

[KJSmith]

Klein Tools D213-9NE-CR $39.99 Lineman's Crimping Pliers, 9-Inch | Zoro.com

Order Klein Tools Lineman's Crimping Pliers, 9-Inch, D213-9NE-CR at Zoro.com. Great prices & free shipping on orders over $50 when you sign in or sign up for an account.

www.zoro.com

 

[buck91]

Definitely not a pro but I do a lot of DIY, especially automotive. Plus, when I hit the road for vacation or whatnot (or just a road side assist for the wife) I grab a tool bag go-kit I've put together. Right now its running seperate strippers, crimpers and pliers. I'd like a good quality stripper/crimper for that to reduce the number of tools. Just needs to handle 12awg to 22awg repair crimps. If I am intentionally building something I'll likely have my ratcheting crimpers to use.

 

[supton]

On a lark I bought one of these. https://www.harborfreight.com/heavy-duty-ratcheting-crimper-58325.html Not happy with it, doesn’t get a good crimp.

 

[Trashman]

These are what I use for crimping butt connectors etc. I have two of them, these along with my two Klein strippers (one for solid wire, one for stranded) pretty much take care of my wiring/splicing needs.

909 9.5-inch Crimping Pliers | Channellock, Inc.

The CHANNELLOCK® 909 9.5

channellock.com

 

[Tjbouwhu]

This…

 

[bchannell]

I've never been very happy with that style of wire stripper/crimper. The stripper portion does a satisfactory job, but the crimp portion has never given me results that I was satisfied with. So I recently bought one similar to this, but will strip 22-12 AWG stranded / 20-10 AWG solid, and does a little nicer of a job at it. And the crimper gives me good results. I also like the plier nose on the end. It works great at looping solid wire for going on a screw type terminal. And the wire cutter does a nicer job too.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/IDEAL-ID-Forged-wire-Stripper-Standard/5000212347

You nailed it. There are several companies, including Klein, who have that same stripper/crimper. My guess is they're all made in the same factory and only the name is changed. As with most of the "combo" tools, (not all), it does nothing well, but is passable.

 

[Donald]

Buy Ancor marine electrical tools and connectors.

The best I have found.

 

[drtyler]

These Carlyle (Napa) are decent. $25

https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/CHTWSCCP

 

[wtd]

These Carlyle (Napa) are decent. $25

https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/CHTWSCCP

View attachment 101161

I have the Snap On version of these and really like them. They are expensive though.

 

[JGmazda]

As others have mentioned... How often do you need this tool? The item you selected will do fine. I have a bunch of these and they work well for my needs.

If anything... I'm thinking of getting an automatic stripper just because... This one seems decent and came recommended from a YouTube video - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B097SZ1F7...olid=1U8IOZYYBRB9J&psc=1&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it

Yes...Not a big name...but really... What isn't made in China these days? High end tools are worth the cost if you're a professional electrician. Otherwise... the Channel Locks are perfect fine.

 

[billt460]

I have several of those tools that I use for stripping wire. They all do what they're designed to do. And they all work reasonably well. However, for crimping I'm finding I don't possess the hand strength at almost 70, that I did at 40. Regardless of the hand tools I use.

So I purchased one of these. I can't recommend it enough. It produces a far superior crimp, than anything that can be applied by hand. And it comes with a complete set of dies, in a nice hard plastic case for most any wire gauge. With the hydraulic power it produces, I can even crimp soldered on 0 Gauge copper battery terminals.

Hydraulic Wire Crimping Tool

Amazing deals on this Hydraulic Wire Crimping Tool at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

www.harborfreight.com

 

[Schandyman]

Combination wire stripper and crimper Just picked up this channel lock brand combination wire stripper and crimper to swap into my mobile kit. I realize I have a stripper but no crimper… I’ve been using a harbor freight unit for a long time and it works fine, although at home I use a nicer ratcheting crimper. Wondering if these channel locks are worth it or if I should just bite the bullet and get some Kliens or if there’s a similar wera or wish model I should be looking at?

View attachment 100620

Those are great. Many hvac and plumbers use that style stripper/crimper. They’re good for crimping “sta-kon” wire connectors. For electrical I use a smaller ergonomic stripper and separate crimper for ground crimps.. in my plumbing bag I have strippers similar to the channellock made by craftsman.

 

[cb_13]

These Carlyle (Napa) are decent. $25

https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/CHTWSCCP

View attachment 101161

That online price is about $10 cheaper than my local in store price. I’d recommend these as well. I have the Snap On set that looks identical to these and have loved them. Plenty sturdy enough to crimp the non insulated metal butt connectors I prefer to use(then cover with heat shrink).

I’ve had my set long enough that the Snap On cost me then what the Napa ones do now. Used them daily for a few months due to the LCM recall on the Crown Vic/Grand Marquis. Definitely worth buying.