Technical Who makes a good quality wire crimper?

I'm about to install a new wiring harness with some modifications and I need a good quality crimping tool. Any recommendations?

 

This is what I use! Or one like it! Mine is actually an older model and has two dimple crimp places. …and has an orange and black handle! But this is the closest picture I could find to mine!
Simple and you can crimp to the right dimple!





Bones

 

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08DRCRRC...ubtag=0000BV0000146062O1920093720240119191915

 

American Auto wire sell Packard crimpers..

 

Amp is the best one I’ve ever seen
From the aircraft manufacturing end of things
Hard to find but worth it
Won’t release unless it’s crimped correctly

 

For my entire career I used the same T&B (Thomas & Betts) crimper. But Stakon, Ideal, and Klein all build equal quality crimpers, so any of these will last several lifetimes.

 

A as power plant electrician for over 45 years I can say our company only allowed 2. We used AMP for insulated lugs 99% of the time. Since they had a positive crimp that were exactly the same every time in order to have the tool release there was no possibility of a poor crimp. T & B were the only tool for a noninsulated lug which were only used on small motor connections.

 

And only $870 with free shipping.

 

Only ones I'll use anymore. Under $100

 

The Klein tool at the top is designed for crimping insulated and non insulated lugs. Not all are like this and it matters if you want to crimp an insulated lug. Some versions are strictly for non insulated lugs (like the T&B shown). Something to keep in mind.

 

I've been using Channellock for years for automotive:

 

I have a Klein tools crimper, it looks a lot like moriarity’s I love it. I also use non insulated terminals and use heat shrink tubing instead. Also Mark shows the right way to crimp the terminal( indented from the back side not the front side with the seam in the barrel.

 

Helpful Info:

www.bing.com/videos/riverview/relatedvideo?&q=Crimp&&mid=4F63D360BDCD4ECE253B4F63D360BDCD4ECE253B&&FORM=VRDGAR

I have several different brands of crimpers, but like the ratcheting type the best as it applies the same pressure every time and then releases when the crimp is correct. Don't have this brand, but works the same.
www.bing.com/videos/riverview/relatedvideo?&q=Crimp&&mid=26CEBA00ACDF336454A626CEBA00ACDF336454A6&&FORM=VRDGAR

Also, if you plan to run long battery cables you might want to get a Harbor Freight or similar Hydraulic Crimper for large cables.

www.bing.com/videos/riverview/relatedvideo?q=Crimp&mid=A00476FCA796F3B068D3A00476FCA796F3B068D3&ajaxhist=0

 

American Autowire sells crimper that crimps the terminals in their wiring kits and they do a great job.

 

I use the same one as pictured and have been for almost 30 years. No complaints

 

Many “over crimp”. I think it was @Crazy Steve who posted a pic/link of a ratcheting crimper. Klein maybe?
And Mark, too much bare wire in the crimp
Then agin it’s non-insulated, so probably a ground.

 

Good terminals are a MUST. A lot of difference quality wise from cheap parts store terminals.

Ben

 

From Wikipedia-note current name change

Thomas & Betts is a designer and manufacturer of connectors and components for electrical and communication markets. Thomas and Betts was founded in 1898 by two young engineers from Princeton University, Robert M. Thomas and Hobart D. Betts.[1] They formed an agency for selling conduit to electrical distributors during a time when incandescent electric lighting was first introduced to New York City.[1] Thomas & Betts is notable as the inventor of cable ties in 1958 to facilitate assembling wire harnesses in airplanes.[citation needed] It has recently expanded its product offerings through the acquisition of leading brands in the power protection industry specifically focused on critical infrastructure.

ABB acquired Thomas & Betts for $3.9 billion, or $72 a share, in 2012 to become a major player in the North American low-voltage products market.

Nortek purchased the Thomas & Betts HVAC business unit (Reznor) from ABB in March 2014 for $260 million.[2]

 

I have a few "go to" I like, a newer one made by Packard and the ones I like best, made by Essex Terminals that I have had for more than half a century.

 

Another vote for T&B. I find NOS T&B on ebay.

 

I have the same, and had it for a LONG time. It's the go to for all my crimping. Protected in the tool box!!!!

 

Technical - Crimping Tutorial | The H.A.M.B. (jalopyjournal.com)

 

The OP may want to go through this also.... Wiring 101 | The H.A.M.B. (jalopyjournal.com)

 

Follow Crazy Steve's advice. I have an arsenal of different style crimpers, it really depends what you are using for terminal ends, there is a difference, no one size fits all unfortunately

 

I've got enough wire crimpers to fill a too box drawer but the Thomas and Betts have been my go to favorites for about 30 years.

 

OK....I'm a complete idiot! Firstly, I found some good crimpers. I was rummaging through the junk drawer in my toolbox (we all have 'em) and at the very bottom of the drawer I found a pair of T&B crimpers that used to belong to my dad! For years I've been using a cheap chinese crimper that barely did the job. I was unaware of the T&B's in my junk drawer!



Secondly, and after reading Crazy Steve's Crimping Tutorial it looks like I've been crimping wrong for all these years! I picked this method up from Mark at MAD Electrical........









I've done it this way for years, on several cars and never had an issue.
Apparently, the proper way is to place the indent on the opposite side of the barrel seam! I guess I'll give that a try with my new found T&B crimpers!

 

Terminals are not all created equal either. I use only uninsulated brazed barrel terminals with adhesive lined shrink tube. I primarily use a T&B crimper I have been using since the 70s but I have other crimpers for special needs such as Packard 57 series terminals. I have wired more cars than I care to remember.

 

Can't find it online, I got a very nice ratcheting crimper at Advance Auto Parts. It works great on insulated terminals.

The OG Amp insulated ones were called PIDG, pre-insulated diamond grip for you old timers out there. Amp became Tyco, now they are TE Connectivity.