what crimping tool for automotive plugs?

[Psychosaffa]

I have new plugs to make a new loom for a v8, but was wondering what crimping tool people recommend? the only one i have is s ck one for insulated terminals, so will need to get one for non insulated terminals.

links appreciated.

 

[rtbcomp]

Search for Vehicle Wiring Products Ltd., they do a whole range of crimps, connectors and tools.

 

[Robotstar5]

This is the page you want - link I bought this one a while ago and it's fine for hobby use. I found a good non-insulated crimp is down to practise & technique.

 

[brewdexta]

I bought a crimper for uninsulated lucar connectors from here, not sure if it was this one though, I think mine cost about a tenner

 

[Shox Dr]

Be careful, when buying a crimping tool, you get the correct dies, as there are many that look very alike. They also need to have adjustable torque, so you can adjust as they age/use

 

[brightspark]

Be careful, when buying a crimping tool, you get the correct dies, as there are many that look very alike. They also need to have adjustable torque, so you can adjust as they age/use

lol u dont get them calibrated do u that was more ******** the nic eic wanted to fiest on to us every year along with a torque wrench for tightening meter tails screws in the db boards

 

[500e]

A read on crimping
http://avionikits.com/howto/Crimp.pdf
The crimp adjustment is important
The PIDG means terminals have a second crimp for the insulation.
We crimp both multi strand wire & co\ax the majority of our crimp tools are Daniel, Amp or Astro with a few Ideal.
As for bespoke plug pins you can be into a world of hurt regarding pin\wire size tool etc

 

[Robotstar5]

.As for bespoke plug pins you can be into a world of hurt regarding pin\wire size tool etc

and price, one of my DMC crimpers cost the best part of £300

 

[500e]

Robo that what I mean by hurt we just replaced some DMC cassetts £1000 + VAT​

 

[Robotstar5]

Mine's the same as the lower picture, mostly used for the BICC/metalok/Sourai style connectors.

 

[ibrooks]

I've got a set of the £9ish ones from Vehicle Wiring Products and it does the job perfectly adequately for automotive stuff.

However at the back end of last year I bought one of these

http://r.ebay.com/LXpHDT

and for the extra 5 or 6 quid that's what I'd buy now if I had to choose. Again it's perfectly good for hobby car stuff (or even general pro mechanicing where wiring isn't being done day-in-day-out). The dies for the "normal" insulated and non-insulated crimps are obviously what's used most but the others have come in handy for the bigger stuff.

Iain

 

[Robotstar5]

Don't think much of one of the die sets showing rust already

 

[500e]

They will do the job for red blue yellow ins crimps, handy to have a release lever some don't + pressure adjuster do the other dies do nu-insulated, ring type crimps & co-axe.
The problem now is the range of connectors\ wire size\ insulation thickness & the other side of connector moulded into an expensive assembly, also the wire sizes are small & connectors need to be waterproof or corrosion will follow, ask Peaugot owners with water invading the ECUs down the loom.
RS5 & I don't spend for fun I don't work on cars much any more & have to use the prescribed tools, think RS5 works on robotic welders so he will have the same remit.

 

[langy]

Not cheap but I use the Ripaults ratchet crimpers, never found any better

 

[Psychosaffa]

Thanks guys. Went with rtbcomps recommendation and ordered a cheap one. It has done the job.