My First Ever Crimping Experience

RE: My First Ever Crimping Experience

Jan Cumps — Fri, 27 Nov 2020 21:23:50 GMT

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source:https://www.eevblog.com/

RE: My First Ever Crimping Experience

Andrew J — Fri, 20 Nov 2020 22:59:11 GMT

I can't get over how expensive the crimping tools are! I've tried a cheaper Multicomp HT which seems to work well for a variety of pin connectors and even a Faston connector. I also have a fairly cheap knipex ferrule crimper which again works well. I've noticed a very expensive crimper in a cabinet in the museum which I'd borrow if I needed to make specific ring connectors if the Multicomp couldn't do it. It seems like these things could become collectors' items like old relay-maintenance tools!

RE: My First Ever Crimping Experience

colporteur — Fri, 20 Nov 2020 22:44:19 GMT

D²You failed to share you crimping success in pictures? I suspect you did a reach a point of crimping that you were happy with.

Anyone in technology worth their salt, has horror stories of using tools for the first time. I just removed a layout I did three years ago, that used a Raspberry Pi to generate some animation. I was very critical of the installation questioning the poor installation techniques.

I have a similar array of failed crimps on Dupont Head Reed 2.54mm Female Pin Connector. I actually have a blood blister on one thumb from the putting my fingers in the crimper in a way the tool designer never imagined. OUCH!

I appreciate your courage to share the experience.

RE: My First Ever Crimping Experience

shabaz — Fri, 20 Nov 2020 17:00:53 GMT

Hi Dubbie,

I do the same as Doug, i.e. add some solder (after crimping) if the specific crimp tool isn't suitable. However, I think maybe your tool might do both the bare wire crimping and the insulation gripping in one go. The tool looks weird though, as if it is upside down. I think it needs to be held as shown, with the text on it upside-down, and the cable insulation held and fed in from the side with the text on it, with the terminal positioned as shown in the diagram below (apologies for the very crude diagram, hopefully it's clear). Also, although ideally nothing should be folded before using the tool, perhaps (just looking at the photo of the crimped failures, you might need to slightly fold the insulation gripping tabs slightly inward first.

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I have a low-cost tool for these too, not the same model, mine is assembled inverted to yours.

RE: My First Ever Crimping Experience

phoenixcomm — Fri, 20 Nov 2020 16:40:27 GMT

[mention:d25512d61e65470296ce2f82f47741ab:e9ed411860ed4f2ba0265705b8793d05] 'good' crimpers can be very expensive. My old AMP crimps for DB-xx pins is just a pain in you know what. you have to have the terminal with wire and then crimp it. 50% of the time if fails for one reason or another. and they used to cost 200+. Next comes my aircraft pin crimp. This is a never-fail crimper. This crimper works by squeezing the pin with 4 teeth. you need a body 300usd+ and then the turret which is for the pin itself, add another 100usd+ for each. by the time you are all through you could spend 500 - 1000 bucks. its made by DMC and you can find it sometimes on eBay. [View:/resized-image/__size/332x221/__key/commentfiles/f7d226abd59f475c9d224a79e3f0ec07-5960b214-87b5-44da-b5b1-5a25db4a6639/3005.contentimage_5F00_193069.jpg:332:221][View:/resized-image/__size/223x200/__key/commentfiles/f7d226abd59f475c9d224a79e3f0ec07-5960b214-87b5-44da-b5b1-5a25db4a6639/3733.contentimage_5F00_193070.jpg:223:200]

~~Cris

RE: My First Ever Crimping Experience

dougw — Fri, 20 Nov 2020 15:37:46 GMT

There is a lot of science behind good crimp connections. I suspect they rely on the wire bring more springy than the crimp terminal, so after a crimp there is always force on the joint

Whenever I don't have a great tool for crimping, I solder the joint after crimping, to make sure there is full contact and so it won't loosen off.

RE: My First Ever Crimping Experience

ajcc — Fri, 20 Nov 2020 15:08:38 GMT

Neat!

Those battery terminals sure look a lot sturdier.

I didn't know those tools just finished the crimp, now I'm curious what the "better one" looks like. Because I've been thinking about getting one for crimping spade lugs, the ones you can use with some banana plugs and smaller ones for screw terminals.