Recommend a crimping tool.

[mart]

I was looking at the crimping tools that are used for the bullet connectors/spade connectors etc.

T Station have about 4 pairs in. I just want a general one like in the link (but not Silverline) to keep in the toolbox- one that is going perform well when needed.

Which brand would you recommend if any?

https://www.toolstation.com/shop/Hand+Tools/d10/Electrical+Tools/sd170/Expert+Ratchet+Crimper/p11261

 

[Ruffian]

Snap on do a great set of crimps, pwc7s.
Non ratchet but work really well.

 

[zzr1200]

Cable ties have various crimpers listed on page 14 (download their catalogue), they list a standard and professional crimper.

They are behind Meadow Hall and you can have a look at the item before you buy.

http://www.cableties-direct.co.uk

 

[Wendelspanswick]

I was looking at the crimping tools that are used for the bullet connectors/spade connectors etc.

T Station have about 4 pairs in. I just want a general one like in the link (but not Silverline) to keep in the toolbox- one that is going perform well when needed.

Which brand would you recommend if any?

https://www.toolstation.com/shop/Hand+Tools/d10/Electrical+Tools/sd170/Expert+Ratchet+Crimper/p11261

I have the Silverline set, I bought it about 6 years ago and gets used about 30 times a year on cabling jobs and its worked faultlessly.

 

[Robotstar5]

I've bought a couple of crimpers from Vehicle wiring products and found they're decent quality so these should be OK, or a Draper set we have at work has survived industrial (ab)use.

 

[steveo3002]

unless you get into big money they all seem to be china made with someone elses name on the box , all much the same

 

[daleyd]

Makes like knipex or cembre are top notch but be prepared to shell out for them, but to be honest as @steveo3002 said above most of the cheaper ones seem to be exactly the same.

I’ve used a set of RS own brand ones for a few years now and they’ve been excellent, and not overly expensive.

 

[brightspark]

unless you get into big money they all seem to be china made with someone elses name on the box , all much the same

as said 99 percent are just badged so a cheap set will do u fine .its not as if the ends wear out like cutters

 

[daleyd]

as said 99 percent are just badged so a cheap set will do u fine .its not as if the ends wear out like cutters

The crimping action can go a bit sloppy after a time, but even the cheap ones should last years under normal use, and you can sometimes adjust them if they do anyway.

 

[mart]

I have the Silverline set, I bought it about 6 years ago and gets used about 30 times a year on cabling jobs and its worked faultlessly.

That is worth noting, thank you for the heads up.

Sometimes a company brings out something and it's very good. You buy another a few years later and it's a different design or something and no where near the quality of the predesssor. This happened to me with an Hitachi TV in the 80s. Fantasting sharp picture. The next HitachI I bought some years later was no where near as good.

Wendel-Do you have the model No of your SL crimpers?

 

[mart]

Some good tips there.

I should be okay up to £20 then for my occasional need based on what has been advised

 

[armalites]

I remember when ratchet crimps were something a bit special, they were revelation compared to the old style ones. I'm sure I paid £25 probably 25+ years a go. Mine are still absolutely fine. Apart from the handles they don't look any different to the ones you can buy today, if you look on ebay you can unbranded ones that are exactly the same for less than £10

 

[500e]

This is a bullet terminal
They do insulated ones as well.
One thing to watch with insulated crimp tools is do they crimp the insulation on a different step\section of die
Used Ideal tool or Erma crimp tools for 3\40 years never had to put a new die in the frames

 

[Agrismith]

I have both a draper set and a Chinese no name set the tolerance on the no name set are so bad the joints rarely succed on smaller wires
Its fine if the you are using exactly the right wire and good terminals
The draper makes a good crimp every time so i i wou suggest go for the drapper as a minimum not as good as blue point snapon and ck ones i have used but more than adequately do the job

 

[Johnseat]

Can't get any better crimper than the Facom 449b crimper.
I've had all sorts and nothing feels as good as these.

 

[brightspark]

Can't get any better crimper than the Facom 449b crimper.
I've had all sorts and nothing feels as good as these.

I have a set of bicc ones bought donkeys years ago before any rubbish was brought out or half decent ones . at one point the nic eic were going to make u have your ratchet crimps tested every year and certified a couple of years ago they wanted you to use a screwdriver torque wrench on distribution boards . the cost of them 125 quid Christ its not rocket science to tighten screws up properly wiggle the cable and tighten again

 

[Robotstar5]

Just worked out my original Amp crimpers are 43 years old!, they still get used for the occasional job where they're more suitable than some of my more modern crimpers

 

[brightspark]

Just worked out my original Amp crimpers are 43 years old!, they still get used for the occasional job where they're more suitable than some of my more modern crimpers

View attachment 138724

not on high voltage do u there only single crimp not double

 

[Robotstar5]

not on high voltage do u there only single crimp not double

I can't remember the last time I used them on insulated crimps, think I used them to "nip up" some rollover type crimps after the allegedly correct crimpers failed to close them properly and I find the strippers still give a nice clean cut.

 

[mart]

This is a bullet terminal
They do insulated ones as well.
One thing to watch with insulated crimp tools is do they crimp the insulation on a different step\section of die
View attachment 138700
Used Ideal tool or Erma crimp tools for 3\40 years never had to put a new die in the frames

An interesting point there,500e.