Please recommend a good cable lug crimper

[i6pwr]

I'm looking for a crimper that can accept up to 1/0 or maybe even 00 but I feel 1/0 will be the largest I will need.

I've been over too many brands and the reviews all seem to blend together. Mainly poor crimps, not enough crimp pressure, ugly crimps etc.

I don't think I need a hydraulic crimper but if those are the ones to get then I will. I figured a 2-handle crimper with rotating dies would be the ticket but I can't find one that has high consensus.

Budget....I guess $100 and under, unless there's one that gets the glowing Griswold Xmas tree illumination light from the heavens.... This is pretty much becoming a "buy once, cry once" purchase......within reason.

Thanks.

 

[PoorMans180SX]

I've used both the hammer style crimper like this:

TEMCo Hammer Lug Crimper: 8 AWG to 4/0 Battery/Welding Cables (Mountable) | eBay

TEMCo ID: TH0007. How to use crimper. "I have always been delighted with the service from TEMCo.". About TEMCo. TEMCo Industrial. Material: Black oxide crimp ram. Crimping Range: 8 to 0000 AWG (4/0). Black oxide crimp ram won't chip or flake.

www.ebay.com

and most recently the cable-cutter style crimper like this:

Battery Cable Lug Crimping Tool Wire Crimper For 10-0AWG +1 Wire cutter | eBay

<li> 2PCS Professional Tool Kit: This crimping tool kit comes with a professional cable crimper and a cable wire cutter, which can satisfy most heavy stripping and crimping work.</li> <li>6 Crimping Settings: 6 dies for 6mm²/10mm²16mm²/25mm²/35mm²/50mm² ( Similar to AWG 10/8/6/4/2/0) wire size...

www.ebay.com

Both have done well for me. the cable cutter style will definitely pinch the lug in a very unaesthetic way if you're using too big of a lug/too small of a wire, but it works well either way.

 

[Chris142]

I've used both the hammer style crimper like this:

TEMCo Hammer Lug Crimper: 8 AWG to 4/0 Battery/Welding Cables (Mountable) | eBay

TEMCo ID: TH0007. How to use crimper. "I have always been delighted with the service from TEMCo.". About TEMCo. TEMCo Industrial. Material: Black oxide crimp ram. Crimping Range: 8 to 0000 AWG (4/0). Black oxide crimp ram won't chip or flake.

www.ebay.com

I have one like that at work. Takes a couple of hits but seems to work.

 

[joegreen]

What about a hydraulic crimper from harbor freight. CENTRAL HYDRAULICS Hydraulic Wire Crimping Tool - Item 66150 / 64044 https://hftools.com/app66150

 

[HangFire]

I shopped around a lot and finally settled on the IWiss HX-50BI combo set, as I have had good luck with IWiss barrel crimpers.

I crimped a few battery cables for motorcycles and cars with it, and it's doing fine. Sometimes I have to do it twice, but I think the crimper has to be very closely matched with the same brand of terminals, and a quality cable with full width of copper inside to avoid this.

I only crimp a dozen or so cables a year, for this use I think it's fine.

https://www.amazon.com/IWISS-Battery-Cable-Crimping-Cutter/dp/B00MVE48Z6

 

[Timmastertech]

https://www.amazon.com/Titan-11980-...t=&hvlocphy=9007410&hvtargid=pla-783279645826 Have had this crimper for a few years and have been very happy with it

 

[paulo57509]

I have an Ancor 8 - 1/0 AWG lug crimper with rotating hex dies. I have nothing to compare it with, but I think it makes decent crimps.

Personally, I wouldn't buy a hammer crimper because I have terrible aim with a hammer. I think someone makes these that you can use with a vise.

Good reference material usually comes from marine-centric references.

Making Your Own Battery Cables - Marine How To

Pick Your Crimp Tool FTZ 94284 & Ancor Hammer Crimper TEMCO TH0005 & FTZ Bench Mount BUY FTZ 94284 CRIMP TOOL - BAY MARINE

marinehowto.com

 

[JHZR2]

I grabbed some cheap totally generic hydraulic crimper. Did a great job.

You can see what I did here with terminals on a 440k+ mile Dodge Ram CTD:

Battery Terminal Replacement: Hydraulic Crimp - Die Size

My Ram doesn’t have great battery terminals. Over the years and hundreds of thousands of miles, the batteries have been replaced multiple times, and probably over tightened. I’m changing to crimped on copper lugs, and military-style terminals. On the truck, the negative cables are 1/0, the...

bobistheoilguy.com

And I have some good pics of what the crimps look like.

 

[i6pwr]

Thank you for all the replies. Safe bet the ones mentioned would suit my needs but I decided to reach out to Santa and cover almost all my requirements.

I went with a Temco TH0005 and bought it from Temco, this way I know I had the most recent version as they keep up with improvements. I don't like to use Amazon if I don't have to, also, it was cheaper direct from Temco.

Web pics don't do it justice, this is definitely a well-built tool.

 

[D60]

I grabbed some cheap totally generic hydraulic crimper. Did a great job.

You can see what I did here with terminals on a 440k+ mile Dodge Ram CTD:

Battery Terminal Replacement: Hydraulic Crimp - Die Size

My Ram doesn’t have great battery terminals. Over the years and hundreds of thousands of miles, the batteries have been replaced multiple times, and probably over tightened. I’m changing to crimped on copper lugs, and military-style terminals. On the truck, the negative cables are 1/0, the...

bobistheoilguy.com

And I have some good pics of what the crimps look like.

Good read. I also have the same cheap yellow crimper @Trav shows and I came to the same conclusion: the markings, like resistance to The Borg, are irrelevant. Find one that works and run with it.