Crimper

[SVNeko]

What is the best all-around crimper to have on the boat?
Thx

[jcapo]

An excellent crimper for 22-10 AWG wire.

LED lighting, soundproof, Sailor's Solutions Inc.

Also check out Mainsail's posts on proper crimping.

I also have on board a hydraulic crimper for 8-0000 AWG cable. I don't use it much but when you need it ....

John

[Lake-Effect]

I have these as my main crimpers. They have reversable dies so they're good for the red-blue-yellow insulated lugs, as well as uninsulated ones.

I have cheap ones around somewhere as well, and they'll do in a pinch, but not as reliably as these ones.

[Tia Bu]

How about these?

Ratcheting Crimping Tool

Best thing since sliced bread. And check out that price!

[Saltyhog]

Originally Posted by Tia Bu

How about these?

Ratcheting Crimping Tool

Best thing since sliced bread. And check out that price!

This one will grow the wheat, bake the bread, and slice it too: Best Crimper EVER !!!

To the OP: Please read Mainsail's posts on crimpers. It's good advice.

[SVNeko]

Originally Posted by Saltyhog

read Mainsail's posts on crimpers.

I'd be glad to if someone would point them out. I can't seem to find them.

[Saltyhog]

Rather than reading the various threads on various forums, go to the source. Here's the link Mainesail on crimps Sorry for the confusion. Hope it helps!

[Mystic38]

the ratcheting ones are the best.. don't forget to also get automatic wire strippers too.

[hellosailor]

Tia, you may find that tools from Horror Freight are a crapshoot. They might or might not crimp to the proper size and shape, their quality control seems to consist of extensive ISO9000 process controls like "Are the handles red? OK, ship it."

So if you've got time to screw around, by all means, roll the dice. Some of us would rather pay more for a tool that is assured to do the job properly the first time, and work correctly right out of the box.

On the other hand, you could just keep a pet stone crab on the boat, that big claw can crimp real damned good.

[roverhi]

Did not like the ratcheting tools. Didn't give a secure crimp most of the time. Maybe my technique but I was never sure I'd gotten a good crimp. Have gone with this tool, simple powerful and 100% secure crimps.Channellock 9 3/4in. Crimping and Cutting Tool, Model# 909 | Wire Cutters Strippers| Northern Tool + Equipment

[model 10]

It's sad that Harbor freight tools are being used as the standard for ratcheting crimpers now.

[hellosailor]

Peter, the onjly "difference" in a properly made, properly adjusted, ratcheting tool is that it will not release until you have made the full and proper compression stroke. So unlike the plain Channellock, you cannot accidentally apply too little pressure and have a crimp fail form not being tight. And you cannot apply too much pressure, which in theory could split a cheap crimp barrel or cut the insulation off one.

Key words, properly made, properly adjusted. And using the right size and type of wire and crimps, of course.

If you're just trying to use random sizes, by all means, the "random" ability of a non-ratcheting crimper may be better. But if the ratcheting one isn't doing a perfect job for you, there's something wrong with that particular tool, or non-standard crimps, or something else is off.

[Opie91]

Originally Posted by hellosailor

Key words, properly made, properly adjusted. And using the right size and type of wire and crimps, of course.

Harbor Freight has lots of these.....

[Lake-Effect]

Different manufacturers, different types, slight size variance... unfortunately you can't always take anyone's 'yellow' lug and use the 'yellow' side of anyone else's crimpers and be guaranteed a perfect crimp. So, besides the tool, you have to standardize on a make of crimp lug, and if necessary, set up your controlled-cycle crimp tool to work with them. Peter, this may have been your issue.

Originally Posted by Guy

It's sad that Harbor freight tools are being used as the standard for ratcheting crimpers now.

Not 'the standard', but sometimes... good enough, especially for occasional use. The alternative is laying out $100+ for a tool you might only use 10 times. Good crimpers aren't rocket science, just some hardened steel dies in a pressed-steel frame.

[hellosailor]

I'd rather do a proper thermite fusion weld than a crimp, the problem is that most of the thermite charges are the wrong (aluminum) alloy for marine use, and West Marine just never seems to have marine grade thermite charges in stock.

HF has plenty of them, but I'm afraid they'll just fly up and go "Bang!" and make colored sparkles all over the place.

:-)