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02-01-2015, 15:17
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#16
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Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 223
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Re: No more racheting wire crimper for me.
Thinwater: I am not sure what you are throwing in the trash but since you posted immediately after my post I am assuming you are making a small mistake in identification. The Klein tool is a copy of the Thomas and Betts, though if you compare the fine points of construction and the strength of the handles the T&B is superior. The only way to tell them apart at a glance is one has black and red handles and on the other both are red. Not sure where you get the idea that the handles are short, You thinking of something else?
You are right that a perfectly calibrated automatic crimper is the best. Note that I say calibrated. The big boys that do production have the crimper calibrated to a particular wire size, insulation type and probably brand. The same for the connector and that gives a near perfect repeatable crimp. Change any of the variables and the tool just blindly goes on making, potentially at least, less that ideal connections. The simple hand ratchet crimper using a variety of wire and brands of connector in no way compares to that factory standard.
A simple hand tool like the T&B or the Klein will make excellent connections in the hands of a good electrician.
When all my connections start failing I will certainly let you know.
Um saudade
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02-01-2015, 17:16
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#17
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Writing Full-Time Since 2014
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Deale, MD
Boat: PDQ Altair, 32/34
Posts: 9,569
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Re: No more racheting wire crimper for me.
Quote:
Originally Posted by um saudade
Thinwater: I am not sure what you are throwing in the trash but since you posted immediately after my post
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My apologies. It was directed at a much cheaper combination tool 2 posts farther up.
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02-01-2015, 19:21
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#18
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Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Refit in Port Townsend, WA
Boat: 1984 Slocum 43
Posts: 425
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Re: No more racheting wire crimper for me.
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03-01-2015, 06:17
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#19
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: panama
Boat: solaris 42 1978
Posts: 170
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Re: No more racheting wire crimper for me.
i dont know how many times working in a cramped space i have had to use a pair of small vice grips to re crimp wire that was loose or pulled out ,,
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03-01-2015, 08:26
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#20
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Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Fort Lauderdale, FL
Boat: 48 Wauquiez Pilot Saloon
Posts: 5,975
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Re: No more racheting wire crimper for me.
Quote:
Originally Posted by MarkJ
I have recurring nightmares about last months solar panel installation on my new davits.
To do the four panels I splashed out on a new ratcheting crimper and stretched full length over the stern of the boat reaching up to the first connection to be crimped and applying force to the crimper was not enough to release the mechanism.
Hung there in space I suddenly, if slowly, worked out that unless I could release the crimper from the connector I would be left dangling forever till my strung up body would be found, eyes pecked by sea gulls, in a day or so.
My last effort of squeezing saved my life and dignity.
Who sells this crap???
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Best post here...
Thanks for the laugh Mark!
__________________
In the harsh marine environment, something is always in need of repair...
Mai Tai's fix everything...
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03-01-2015, 09:19
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#21
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Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Presently on US East Coast
Boat: Manta 40 "Reach"
Posts: 10,108
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Re: No more racheting wire crimper for me.
Quote:
Originally Posted by MarkJ
I have recurring nightmares about last months solar panel installation on my new davits.
To do the four panels I splashed out on a new ratcheting crimper and stretched full length over the stern of the boat reaching up to the first connection to be crimped and applying force to the crimper was not enough to release the mechanism.
Hung there in space I suddenly, if slowly, worked out that unless I could release the crimper from the connector I would be left dangling forever till my strung up body would be found, eyes pecked by sea gulls, in a day or so.
My last effort of squeezing saved my life and dignity.
Who sells this crap???
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This post confuses me a bit. Ratcheting crimpers are designed to provide the correct compression that ensures a proper crimp before they release. If you haven't reached that point, the crimp is not good.
I wouldn't call that crap.
Are you saying you prefer to base your crimps only on the pressure you choose to apply?
Mark
__________________
www.svreach.com
You do not need a parachute to skydive. You only need a parachute to skydive twice.
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03-01-2015, 10:12
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#22
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Writing Full-Time Since 2014
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Deale, MD
Boat: PDQ Altair, 32/34
Posts: 9,569
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Re: No more racheting wire crimper for me.
If folks would read the instructions....
a. Ratchet crimpers have a release lever. Simple.
b. The crimper must be calibrated for the wire/fitting combination before use (wire should break before pulling out). Takes only a minute.
Perfect, lifetime job, every time.
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03-01-2015, 10:44
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#23
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Long Range Cruiser
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Australian living on "Sea Life" currently in England.
Boat: Beneteau 393 "Sea Life"
Posts: 12,822
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Re: No more racheting wire crimper for me.
Quote:
Originally Posted by thinwater
If folks would read the instructions....
a. Ratchet crimpers have a release lever. Simple.
b. The crimper must be calibrated for the wire/fitting combination before use (wire should break before pulling out). Takes only a minute.
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There were no instructions. It was the first time I had used them. I worked out their correct use whilst dangling
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03-01-2015, 17:13
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#24
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Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Cruising Mexico
Boat: 50' Herreshoff Ketch
Posts: 965
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Re: No more racheting wire crimper for me.
Ratcheting Crimping Tool
$15, come on that other crimper isn't worth $120 more.
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03-01-2015, 17:21
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#25
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Writing Full-Time Since 2014
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Deale, MD
Boat: PDQ Altair, 32/34
Posts: 9,569
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Re: No more racheting wire crimper for me.
Quote:
Originally Posted by MarkJ
There were no instructions. It was the first time I had used them. I worked out their correct use whilst dangling
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That always speeds the learning process! Necessity and all of that.
I will say that ratchet crimpers encourage the user to stay with one brand of wire and fittings.
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03-01-2015, 18:15
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#26
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Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Marina del Rey, California
Boat: President 43 Sportfish
Posts: 4,105
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Re: No more racheting wire crimper for me.
Quote:
Originally Posted by autumnbreeze27
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A good ratcheting crimper can be purchased for around $40.
For around $15 you can...LOL.
__________________
1st rule of yachting: When a collision is unavoidable, aim for something cheap.
"whatever spare parts you bring, you'll never need"--goboatingnow
"Id rather drown than have computers take over my life."--d design
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05-01-2015, 16:34
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#27
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: West Indies
Boat: Burger 74' motor yacht, 65 foot 12 metre, Flicka and sailing dinghy
Posts: 643
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Re: No more racheting wire crimper for me.
that is my point. sometimes, due to the circumstances of the install or repair, its too difficult to use the racheting crimper and to get the best crimp you use something else.
__________________
To a hammer, everything looks like a nail.
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05-01-2015, 16:56
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#28
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Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: CT
Boat: C&C 34
Posts: 1,046
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Re: No more racheting wire crimper for me.
Why pay $15 when these are laying all over the place?
Same quality crimp
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06-01-2015, 05:40
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#29
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Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Fort Lauderdale, FL
Boat: 48 Wauquiez Pilot Saloon
Posts: 5,975
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Re: No more racheting wire crimper for me.
Quote:
Originally Posted by thinwater
If folks would read the instructions....
a. Ratchet crimpers have a release lever. Simple.
b. The crimper must be calibrated for the wire/fitting combination before use (wire should break before pulling out). Takes only a minute.
Perfect, lifetime job, every time.
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Reminds me of a test lab job I had once.... The item was cables utilized for an "electric chair" .... Yep... the capital punishment kind....
We weren't requested to test current passing capabilities....
Only... Pull out strength of the terminals...
__________________
In the harsh marine environment, something is always in need of repair...
Mai Tai's fix everything...
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06-01-2015, 10:16
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#30
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Writing Full-Time Since 2014
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Deale, MD
Boat: PDQ Altair, 32/34
Posts: 9,569
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Re: No more racheting wire crimper for me.
Quote:
Originally Posted by HappyMdRSailor
Reminds me of a test lab job I had once.... The item was cables utilized for an "electric chair" .... Yep... the capital punishment kind....
We weren't requested to test current passing capabilities....
Only... Pull out strength of the terminals...
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Uhh....
Sounds like a good job for an apprentice. The one that showed up late.
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