Wire crimper?

[sciphi]

I'm looking for a good, reasonably-priced wire crimper. A stamped-steel "crimper" won't cut it. I've settled onto a pliers-type crimper as fitting my budget and needs. Recommendations?

Also, where's a good place to buy quality ring terminals?

 

[brianl703]

Klein 1005, it's about $20 and worth every penny. I've used it to crimp 8 gauge ring terminals on battery cable, and it does perfect crimps on terminals as small as 22 gauge.

I got it at Home Depot.

 

[CarbonSteel]

Originally Posted By: brianl703
Klein 1005, it's about $20 and worth every penny.

+1 - Cannot beat Klein tools for electrical work--nicely built and will last for years. I have some Klein pliers from the late 1970's that still cut and crimp like new. I can hold them up to the light and not see any light passing through the cutters after all this time

 

[Pablo]

Originally Posted By: sciphi
I'm looking for a good, reasonably-priced wire crimper. A stamped-steel "crimper" won't cut it. I've settled onto a pliers-type crimper as fitting my budget and needs. Recommendations?

Also, where's a good place to buy quality ring terminals?


I cannot recommend a generic "crimper". You must select a crimper to match your terminals, if you want a pro job.

 

[Stu_Rock]

For a production environment, Pablo is right. Find some terminals you like, then get the manufacturer's recommended crimper. It will be costly.

For just a few crimps of generic terminals, the Klein is probably an OK suggestion. Klein tools are usually very good.

 

[sciphi]

I'm needing something to crimp on ring terminals and headlight pins onto 10 AWG wire. Maybe female disconnects also.

It's not production, just a headlight harness. So it'd be used for 20 crimps at the most. I'd rather get the right tool now instead of having a crimp fail on the road.

 

[Merkava_4]

Ideal 30-429 Made in U.S.A

 

[bob15]

Thomas Betts ~ Sta-Kon

WT111M

Thomas Betts

I know that they can be found cheaper than Grainers, but for a visual.....

 

[sciphi]

Sounds like this is no area to cheap out on. That being said, if I can score a vintage crimper, I'll do so.

Merkava, those crimps look fantastic!

 

[Donald]

I have a rachet crimper that can do a double crimp on the right (special) terminal. One crimp on the insulated metal and the other on just the insulation. But it was over $100. I think its Anchor. Marine product.

 

[sciphi]

I ended up getting an old-style Thomas & Betts WT111M on Ebay for a reasonable price. It's the version without wire cutters. Good enough for my uses, and the price was reasonable.

 

[Vikas]

that Ideal is too tempting... How much damage to wallet?

 

[Letter_K]

Originally Posted By: Vikas
that Ideal is too tempting... How much damage to wallet?


Sears is listed as $41, Amazon $49 and change. Sears probably has tax and possibly shipping.

Maybe EBay or a lesser known store $5 to $10 less.

 

[JHZR2]

That ideal looks identical besides coating color to my Klein, also made in USA. I got mine at HD.

Very nice images, Merkava_4!

 

[doitmyself]

Originally Posted By: JHZR2
That ideal looks identical besides coating color to my Klein, also made in USA. I got mine at HD.

Very nice images, Merkava_4!


Nit picking aside, they are not TOO identical. The Kleins have different die shapes (and reversed location) that go beyond handle color. The Channellocks are even more different.

 

[JHZR2]

Working off of memory they looked close enough

 

[Spazdog]

Klein.

I have GB, Channellock, and Klein. The Kleins are the best.

Gardner-Bender is good but require more hand strength to make a good crimp. Channellock makes a bigger crimp than either of the other two and is larger overall. Sometimes difficult to manuever underhood or dash. Klein works better than either of the others in all conditions.

 

[MisterBen]

Channelock 909 is like that Ideal, and can be had at Lowe's for less than $20. I have one, it is pretty nice. I have a handful of crimpers.

You can get a Tool Aid set ratcheting crimper for less than $100 with a slew of dies. I probably should have done that, with the money I've spend on individual crimpers.

 

[doitmyself]

Except for the working parts (the crimp dies) that are much different, as shown in this picture (909's 2nd from left) I stole from Merkava's favorite site. And, pardon me, but I am having fun pointing out the fallacy "their all the same"....certainly in function, but not design.

 

[morris]

i didnt know i was going to see a crimping lesson. very excellent.