Not used every day, but usually a few times a week, for the past several years. Still work great.
As for crimping tool, I use a ratchet type one similar to the one posted by gstuart, not sure what brand.
Again regular use for many years with no problems.
same tool i use, really good and saves ur fingers from a stanley knife
15th Jan 2017 5:16 am
lynalldiscovery
Member Since: 22 Dec 2009
Location: Maidstone
Posts: 7274
The ratchet type work just fine on the std re/blue/yel insulated jobbies, but are no good on the red/blue/yel heat shrink variety as they simply cant cope with the thinner insulation, going down a size on the crimps works just fine for the yel/blue but what to do with the red? which is the most common size we use on the trucks.
We use the heat shrink variety all over the trucks/trailers all open to the elements and they give good service so long as you get them hot enough to get the glue to ooze out of the ends.
The truck maker prefers repairs to be made with crimps as you may be surprised just how many people cant solder and the ones who can solder who dont know what a dry solder joint is, then of course theres making a soldered joint water tight and black tape doesnt cut it no matter what people think.
These are my current favourite pliers, if you look at the end of the jaw you can see the single tooth that where the crimping takes place, best of all they are thin and you can get them in lot of places the ratchet ones simply wont fit.
Snap on PWC57 approx 35 quid brilliant
15th Jan 2017 6:08 am
Ken
Member Since: 20 Feb 2006
Location: Here
Posts: 10865
+1 to those
15th Jan 2017 7:47 am
Robbie
Member Since: 05 Feb 2006
Location: ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Posts: 17932
I've used the Snap-On above and they do have limitations. Stripping wires in confined spaces is not easy with the crimping part of the tool in the way, but at least the tool isn't huge (as some are). The quality of crimps can be odd though, more towards a crush than a folded crimp.
They work well on red heat-shrink butt crimps as mentioned above, but in an effort to reduce the effort required the crimping surface is reduced in size, causing more of a pinched crush than a firm grip over a wider area. Move up to larger insulated terminal crimps and the required effort becomes significant, even with its smaller crimp area.
If the limitations above don't overlap too much with your use then they will be a good tool. I've noticed Snap-on now do a finer gauge version of the above, which would make more sense for modern car use. I'm tempted to try one.
Land Rover - Turning Drivers into Mechanics Since 1948
Last edited by Robbie on 15th Jan 2017 12:19 pm. Edited 1 time in total
15th Jan 2017 9:21 am
Martin Site Admin and Owner
Member Since: 06 Nov 2004
Location: Hook Norton
Posts: 18563
anglefire wrote:
Martin wrote:
I detest the red/blue/yellow crimps so I do not have a tool for them. But as above I would buy the best you can afford, and from a reputable supplier not just off eBay.
Curious, how do you join cables then?
I use non insulated crimps with covers, or soldering with heatshrink, or smaller multi-way connectors depending on the cable size, environment and number of wires.
The red/blue/yellow do not crimp on well enough (particularly on small wires 1.0mm^2 and smaller) for me to be happy using them. There are better alternatives.06 D3 SE / 15 LR D90 XS SW / 88 LR 90 Td5 / 68 BMW 2000 ti
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15th Jan 2017 9:51 am
tayaste
Member Since: 15 May 2013
Location: Chester
Posts: 7633
Member Since: 10 Nov 2008
Location: Bomber County
Posts: 4547
^^ That is the pair I have. Although the handles have gone black with grime on mine!
We also use RS crimps as we have found the ones from local electrical factors less than satisfactory.
15th Jan 2017 10:37 am
gstuart
Member Since: 21 Oct 2016
Location: kent
Posts: 14136
Martin wrote:
anglefire wrote:
Martin wrote:
I detest the red/blue/yellow crimps so I do not have a tool for them. But as above I would buy the best you can afford, and from a reputable supplier not just off eBay.
Curious, how do you join cables then?
I use non insulated crimps with covers, or soldering with heatshrink, or smaller multi-way connectors depending on the cable size, environment and number of wires.
The red/blue/yellow do not crimp on well enough (particularly on small wires 1.0mm^2 and smaller) for me to be happy using them. There are better alternatives.
i also prefer the non insulated terminals , are these the type of clear covers u use, where one goes inside one another
find on the rachet in having the small black terminal holders a godsend
don't know what the smallest wire size i can put into the ratchet
also like heat shrink
is always good fun in sometimes putting some solder on the terminals for good measure , lol
15th Jan 2017 12:30 pm
Robbie
Member Since: 05 Feb 2006
Location: ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Posts: 17932
Oh I like the idea of terminal holders - genius!
Land Rover - Turning Drivers into Mechanics Since 1948
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