Terminal crimper

[Skeleton Man]

Hi all,

I've been trying to crimp insulated disconnect terminals onto electrical connections with a cheap pair of crimpers and getting nowhere.. the crimper just bends instead of crimping the terminal..

Does anyone have a decent pair of crimpers cheap ? I've looked at the racheting ones on ebay and for $25 some aint bad.. but they want more than the tool is worth in shipping to Canada ! (one guy listed $5 shipping anywhere in the US, and quoted me $23 for postage to Canada !)

I've held off doing any work on my machine until I can get a decent tool, because I can't do a thing without it !

I figured replacing the vend relay would be a 20min job.. unsolder some connections, crimp on a few terminals and plug it in, but it's been sitting in my shed all winter coz of this !

I couldn't get the wires to solder onto the relay terminals like they were on the old one, hence the .187" disconnects instead..

Also.. anyone got a cheap tube lock ? I had to drill the ACE II and they want a small fortunate for a new one..

Thanks in advance guys..

Chris

[bubba]

Chris
Go to your local Home Depot, Lowes or Canadian Tire and look for a pair of cutters/crimpers like this pic. This is a pair by Klein, but Channellock and many other brands have the same kinda thing. The crimper is in the middle, giving good leverage and a nice tight crimp. Avoid the cheapies.

[dr galaga]

You might also look for some different connectors.  I bought some awhile ago that I bet even He-Man couldn't crimp!

[Skeleton Man]

Thanks guys.. I will take a look in CT.. the pair I have cost me like $2 and are just made from flimsy steel.. (the ones you see with ignition terminal crimp and the wire guage thingy, erc)

[sodaworks]

I use Sta-Con crimpers and terminal connectors.. They are widely used by commercial electricians. They cost around 30 bucks buck worth every penny. '>

[BryanH]

Or solder the connections...

[BrianB]

As an Electronic Technician, I would recommend Klein. They might be a little pricey, but if you plan on doing more than just one project they more than pay for themselves.

When it comes to doing just ring connections, soldering for the novice can get very expensive. The solder itself is cheap. You can get a small tube of 60/40 for under $2.00. The real fun begins when it comes time to select a soldering iron.

Simply (like so many other things) you get what you pay for. You can spend $8.00 at Radio Shack and get a complete piece of garbage that isn't even worth the materials it's made out of or spend around $50.00 for a decent non-digital readout, variable temperature Weller which is suited just fine for the home workshop. You might even be able to get a high dollar ($1500-$2000) PACE re-work station off os Ebay for a couple of hundred dollars.

[Skeleton Man]

Quote (BryanH @ Mar. 15 2006,10:58)

Or solder the connections...

How do I keep the wire held against the terminal while I solder ?

 I need one hand to hold the solder and the other for the iron.. I don't even have any way to hold the relay while I work (it just kinda sits there), and using a clamp of some kind to hold the wire on the terminal doesn't work, because how can I apply solder if the clamp is on top of the wire I want to solder ?

The original relay was soldered, and it looked like a factory job to me.. (perfectly neat)..

[bubba]

You can try to hold the wire to the terminal with a roach clip, errrr.. I mean a small pair of alligator clips. They work well. Or you can maybe sucker an extra set of hands to help you out for a few min... You could always put a blob of solder on the terminals, and then coat the wire with solder. Then, put the wire on top of the blob on the solenoid, and heat them both up. They will soon melt together, and you are all set.

[firemun]

OK, I will try to explain this since I am on the road without some way to demonstrate or show a photo of it. (Going to the world of Coca Cola in ATL tomorrow)

In a former life I was a radio tech and here is how I would solder with only 2 hands!

Use your little finger and the ring finger of one hand to hold the wire (it rests between the pad of the ring finger and the nail of the little finger, feed some solder off the spool and bend it so that you can feed it with your thumb and index finger.  Hold the iron with the other hand.  It takes a little practice…but I think you will be able to do it.

I was at an electronics show once and they were having a demonstration for soldering
RF connectors and the guy was demonstrating all kinds of “third hand devices” trying to show the best way to do the connectors.  I went up and demonstrated my way.  He packed his “third hand stuff” up and had me teach him how to do it my way.

Jeff

[BrianB]

Third hand tool are an awesome! I use them all of the time at work. The old timers still brag about using the universal third hand...Their mouth! Nothin' better then holdin' some 60/40 in yer' mouth!

[Skeleton Man]

Thanks guys.. I will see how I go with the crimpers when I find a pair.. if I don't have any luck I'll resort to soldering..

Would these be suitable: Electrician's Pliers

[bubba]

Those will work, but these are better....

http://www.canadiantire.ca/assortm....5025869

[Skeleton Man]

Quote (bubba @ Mar. 19 2006,7:39)

Those will work, but these are better.... http://www.canadiantire.ca/assortm....5025869

I saw those, but at $29+tax ($33 total) I'll have to pass.. I can't afford $30+ for a single pair of pliers.. I was looking in the $10 - $18 range for pliers, or $25 for a racheting set of crimpers.. (are those any better than the pliers ?)

[sodaworks]

Try your local Sears.

[Skeleton Man]

I'm probably gonna bite the bullet and buy myself a nice pair of crimpers... Klein or Channellock are the best brands to look at ?

I might consider a decent soldering iron later on too..  Is Weller the best brand to buy (for under $50) ?  What about mastercraft ?

Stupid question time: Is solder paste the same thing as flux paste ? (or is flux paste just a solid version of liquid flux?)

[bubba]

Good decision on going for the better tool... you won't be dissapointed. Klein or Channellock... don't much matter. They are both good. Weller is a good soldering iron and can usually be had pretty cheap. Something in the 20w is good for most projects. For most projects, Rosin core solder is all you would need. The flux is in the center of the solder, so no need for extra flux. Soldering irons can be gotten from Radio Shack as well if you have something like that up your way. I have irons by both companies, and the Weller is much nicer, but they both melt solder and stick wires together.

[sodaworks]

Just remember to wire brush away oxidation prior to soldering. The flux core wire works great. '>

[Skeleton Man]

Well today I went to Canadian Tire and enquired about a few different pairs of crimpers as well as a soldering iron, but they don't have anything in stock (would be waiting a week). My next stop will be ideal supply (an auto parts store).. they list Klein under brand names they carry so I might be in luck..

[bubba]

I'm surprised CT didn't have it. I thought they had everything... Home Depot for sure would have both Klein and Channelock.

[Skeleton Man]

Quote (bubba @ Mar. 25 2006,8:36)

I'm surprised CT didn't have it. I thought they had everything... Home Depot for sure would have both Klein and Channelock.

In this town, CT carries very little.. you almost have to turn sideways to fit through the isles, that's how small the store is. There are larger CT stores like 45mins away in other towns, but then I'd have to pay for gas (if CT order it from their warehouse or another store, I can pick it up locally for no extra charge)..

Home Depot carries the pair I want, except it's like a 1 hour drive to their nearest store.  The automotive supply place is like 15 mins walk down town, and CT is a 2 minute walk around the corner (like 2 streets away), hence if I can get what I want there I'll be a lot happier.

I'm looking at either the Klein J1005, 1005, or 1006 model crimpers.. As far as I can tell the only difference between each model is the color/type of handle ?