Battery Cable Crimping Tool

[Bowdrie]

Ah, a true MacGyver.

[s/v Jedi]

Reading this thread, it’s a wonder so few boats burn down from electrical fire

[Bowdrie]

Originally Posted by s/v Jedi

Reading this thread, it’s a wonder so few boats burn down from electrical fire

Come on now Jedi, are you making fun of that crimp?
I saw nothing wrong with it, a proper sized die with a 35-ton press sure beats a hammer and anvil.

[OS2Dude]

Originally Posted by Tsuru

Note that the FTZ tool does a great job but struggles with large crimps. Certainly doable but takes some force.

Which tool do you have? I have the FTZ Correct Crimp and it handled everything involved with my last project from 6 awg to 4/0 awg with no trouble. Yes, being a manual tool you have to exert some force on it, but I would not say it (or I) 'struggled' to get it done, even crimping the 4/0 lugs.

https://baymarinesupply.com/ftz-corr...rimp-tool.html.

[s/v Jedi]

Originally Posted by Bowdrie

Come on now Jedi, are you making fun of that crimp?
I saw nothing wrong with it, a proper sized die with a 35-ton press sure beats a hammer and anvil.

The diy crimp dies may be good… the only way to know is to cut a crimped lug and inspect the cross section. Unfortunately, people like to keep the bare facts covered and look the other way
I was referring to the hammer style comments though…

Originally Posted by OS2Dude

Which tool do you have? I have the FTZ Correct Crimp and it handled everything involved with my last project from 6 awg to 4/0 awg with no trouble. Yes, being a manual tool you have to exert some force on it, but I would not say it (or I) 'struggled' to get it done, even crimping the 4/0 lugs.

https://baymarinesupply.com/ftz-corr...rimp-tool.html.

The FTZ Correct Crimp is great and 4/0 crimps are effortless; I operate the tool with one hand, holding the cable in the other hand.
Note that many sizes require two crimps. The FTZ lugs have markings on where the crimps should go but it only requires minimal IQ to figure it out. I did find a tip, which I suspect was from Rod Collins, to make the crimp, then turn the lug 90 degrees and crimp again, so that all corners are nice and rounded

[Coltrek]

Originally Posted by Bowdrie

Come on now Jedi, are you making fun of that crimp?
I saw nothing wrong with it, a proper sized die with a 35-ton press sure beats a hammer and anvil.

Exactly. After looking at all those Harbor Freight style crimpers, especially the 'Dimplers" is why I made the full-on compression tool. I just didn't trust some of them. Some do look kind of good, however. We all have our specialties - Jedi's seems to be in electrical, and I REALLY appreciate the advice he had given everyone, including me. My specialty is SS Hardware over the last 47 years, specifically SS Wire welding and forming, so I do have a little background.

[s/v Jedi]

Originally Posted by Coltrek

Exactly. After looking at all those Harbor Freight style crimpers, especially the 'Dimplers" is why I made the full-on compression tool. I just didn't trust some of them. Some do look kind of good, however. We all have our specialties - Jedi's seems to be in electrical, and I REALLY appreciate the advice he had given everyone, including me. My specialty is SS Hardware over the last 47 years, specifically SS Wire welding and forming, so I do have a little background.

So why not post a picture of the cross section showing a good crimp was formed? You are reluctant to say you did this so I assume you did not… why not? If you build a crimper, wouldn’t it be nice to know how the crimp is by examining the cross section?

Rod Collins has pictures showing under- and over-crimped cross sections. I based my choice for the FTZ crimper on that.