How do you Crimp #8 AWG Terminals?

[Ziggy]

There are lots of tools available for crimping AWG 10-22 wire terminals. For AWG 6 and bigger wire there are the more expensive heavy duty lug crimpers. But there isn't much available for crimping AWG 8, even though both wire and terminals are readily available. So what do you use for crimping #8 wire?

[Tar34]

Originally Posted by Ziggy

There are lots of tools available for crimping AWG 10-22 wire terminals. For AWG 6 and bigger wire there are the more expensive heavy duty lug crimpers. But there isn't much available for crimping AWG 8, even though both wire and terminals are readily available. So what do you use for crimping #8 wire?

Hammer and big flat head screw driver.......

[SVTatia]

E-Z Red B790C Hammer Indent Crimper Tool : Amazon.com : Automotive

[Ziggy]

Originally Posted by SVTatia

E-Z Red B790C Hammer Indent Crimper Tool : Amazon.com : Automotive

Cool--that's like a $17.31 version of Tar's hammer and a big flathead screwdriver!

[s/v Jedi]

When you use the battery-lug type terminal, you can crimp it like 10AWG with that same tool.

I also have a generic hexagon crimper that fits and makes a nice crimp, but trust the regular AWG10 crimp better.

I dislike the hammering crimpers but do use that Ancor tool with a vice which works pretty good.

[janice142]

I've used big vise grips...

[s/v Jedi]

Originally Posted by janice142

I've used big vise grips...

Me too, very often used them. But you can't crimp terminals with them

[banjoship]

I recently bought a hydraulic lug crimper, which has a range of dies. Works a treat. The dies are metric cross-section, but can be matched to AWG. Does a very neat job. I bought mine for $50 in Australia, saw the exact same set on Ebay US for $160. Be careful. It is cheap chinese, but so simple I don't think anything can go wrong.

Lee

[Ziggy]

I like Nik's suggestion of using a regular AWG10 insulated crimper--I already have a few.

[s/v Jedi]

Originally Posted by Ziggy

I like Nik's suggestion of using a regular AWG10 insulated crimper--I already have a few.

a few? that sounds like they are not the ratcheting type; do not use these:


but use these:


You'll probably only want to have one of these as they cost $30-$50 or so.

[Ziggy]

Originally Posted by s/v Jedi

a few? that sounds like they are not the ratcheting type; do not use these:


but use these:


You'll probably only want to have one of these as they cost $30-$50 or so.

Actually, I have a ratcheting single crimp, a ratcheting double, and an Ancor hammer/vise lug crimper (works on AWG6, but not 8). Enough for a lifetime, but nothing that would work on a common AWG#8 insulated terminal.

[s/v Jedi]

Originally Posted by Ziggy

Actually, I have a ratcheting single crimp, a ratcheting double, and an Ancor hammer/vise lug crimper (works on AWG6, but not 8). Enough for a lifetime, but nothing that would work on a common AWG#8 insulated terminal.

Okay, great. Use the ratcheting crimper awg10/12 position and it'll be good

[Bash]

Originally Posted by janice142

I've used big vise grips...

Me too. Vice grips first, followed by a tap with the hammer/screwdriver combo.

[CarinaPDX]

Vice grips and hammer/screwdrivers may seem to get the job done, but I have seen quite a few such efforts fail with time. I have no doubt that some folks have a passable technique, but this is not the path to reliability. For reliability a crimping tool is needed.

The OP's question was "How do you crimp #8 AWG terminals?"

I use a professional Thomas & Betts crimper:



This is not a current product (after all, I started building the boat 35 years ago) but there are multiple listings on eBay. It handles 2-4-6-8 gauges.

Greg

[Scott Berg]

Agreed on T&B

You. Can get all models from Lawson from 8 to 4/0
Not cheap but mil spec crimps every time
Scott