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Old 01-02-2020, 10:56 AM   #1
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Wire Crimping: The diff a proper tool makes

Based on recent threads, I thought this video (not mine) would be a great illustration of the difference between non-soldered crimps created by a variety of tools, and how achieving a quality crimp that rivals or exceeds a soldered connection is really a matter of using the right tool (in the right way) for the job.

If you insist on using the el cheapo combi-tool this guy uses first, then maybe keep that soldering iron handy. You'll need it And the physical strength of the connection will still suck. (The guy seems to think the first crimp is 'OK'... it is NOT).

Or you can spend a few bucks extra - which you'll make up in short-order from time saved messing w/ solder & re-dos - & get a tool that will produce strong, solid, consistent connections with the ease of a squeeze. Heat shrink + that ratcheting crimper is beauty every time.



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Old 01-02-2020, 11:23 AM   #2
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To add to the above:


There are two big ways crimp connections can be made poorly: 1) stripping insulation, & 2) crimping. The diff in crimping is shown above. But a good crimp tool used properly can still produce an improper/poor crimp if you strip insulation with a cheap / ill-maintained stripper (which can compress/cut wire strands), and/or cut the insulation too long or too short. So make sure to strip exactly the amount of insulation you need to (as determined by the crimp terminal), and use a good tool to do it. Not scissors, a kitchen knife, or the ubiquitous does-everything-substandard tool used first in the video above.


Here's one (of many) examples of a 'good' stripper. Note the difference in the hinge. Once the el-cheapo pliers (even the 'good' ones) get some play at what is usually a single-riveted joint, they're garbage. And they usually start out with too much play to begin with.


https://www.amazon.com/Milwaukee-48-...8&sr=8-13&th=1
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Old 01-02-2020, 12:02 PM   #3
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Good advice. The Milwaukee stripper you linked especially interests me, as the hinge is designed to cut bolts. I would probably never use it for that, but I do like it when a tool is more durable than it “should” be.

Why, though, are we giving a bad video even more views?
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Old 01-02-2020, 12:28 PM   #4
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I was looking for something to underscore the point I wanted to make, & that video was the first I found. I thought it was a good video, however. Not only does it illustrate not the quality (or rather lack thereof) of crimp produced by inferior tools, but also shows that many people - in this case the producer of the video - can mistake a bad crimp for a good one.
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Old 01-02-2020, 06:40 PM   #6
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Awesome info, John!
I really dig the Ideal Stripmaster! That's the cat's meow.
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