Best Connector tool and Connectors?

[ROBERTSUNRUS]

Originally Posted by Keyair

Any thoughts on this kit?

S & G Tool Aid , 18960 Quick Change Ratcheting Terminal Crimping Kit

Hi, this looks like a pretty good kit and S&G make some good tools. But in my opinion, it's too much. There are usually, only, three size connectors. [RED, YELLOW, and BLUE] So at most you would only need two, three crimp jaws; Three for insulated and three for non-insulated. It's kind-of like screw drivers, you get twenty in a set, but almost always only use two of them. [#2 Phillips & #2 straight/or flat blade]

[Phoenix]

Years ago, when building wire harnesses for military gear, we used a lot of Amp and Canon connectors, and crimped pins and sockets. For crimp tools, we used mostly Amphenol hand crimpers, crimping machines and dies. However, please note that these tools are mil-spec, heavy duty and expensive; and they may be gross overkill for most DIY projects. In most cases, 3M products are excellent for home/auto use; and other crimped terminals and hand tools from Home Depot, Lowes, Sears, Autozone, Pep Boys, etc. are fine for most applications.

Solder connections can fail (melt) in high current terminations, so those were mainly used in connectors that carried electronic signals. For power supplies and high current applications, crimped terminals were always used; because they won't melt if and when the termination heats up, and they provide a lot of mechanical strength. In fact, we had one coax connector that was crimped on and was spec'd at 50 pound pull strength. The computer terminal it was connected to only weighed 25 pounds, so you could actually lift the entire terminal by the coax cable, and it wouldn't pull out.

If necessary, you can weatherproof a crimped termination (AFTER the terminal, pin or socket is crimped in place) by slipping on some heat-shrink tubing, filling it with RTV and shrinking it in place. This will keep water out and prevent corrosion. Of course, don't do this to any connector that you ever want to disconnect at some later date, as this is permanent and will have to be cut off for repairs.

[perryg114]

I like the non-rachet one with the long handles +1 Robert. I have something similar out here at NASA and I like them over any other kind.

Perry

Originally Posted by ROBERTSUNRUS

Hi, while I was in the tool business, [Mac Tools] the professional automotive electricians chose Thomas & Betts crimpers I have and use two different ones. One is for insulated connectors and the other is for bare metal connectors. Doing automotive electrical repairs at new car dealers, I have used several different types and brands; None of them compare with a Thomas & Betts crimper. Perfect crimp every time. Other brands can come loose or over crimp and break the wires.

[VeggieBullet]

helpful thread, thanks !!
subscribed :-)

[Wingeezer]

Any time I can do it, I much prefer to use soldered connections and shrink tube rather than using spade connectors - i just seem to have way less trouble with them.

[Keyair]

Got it today..

[Steve Bryant]

Keyair,
This looks like a really nice ratcheting crimper with multiple dies!

Give us a review on them once you've gotten to use them some.

Steve

[Keyair]

Will do
Interestingly... they do HT wires too!