I've been gathering the parts and materials to build a wiring loom for my project.
It seems like open-barrel terminals are a secure, reliable form of connection, albeit not one that I have used before.
I had thought I would splash out on the CBS Ratchet Version
'F Crimp' Crimping Tool Kit, but they are currently out of stock and don't expect to have more in for a few months.
I know I can buy something similar on eBay or Amazon for £20, but there are endless tales of poor quality crimping tools making a sloppy crimp.
Can anyone recommend a good quality alternative?
go to somewhere professional like RS or Farnell
might this do?
https://cpc.farnell.com/duratool/d03019/ratchet-crimping-tool-336c-also/dp/TL08621?st=f%20crimp%20tool
or
https://cpc.farnell.com/duratool/d03018/hex-crimping-tool-rg-58-59-62/dp/TL08615?st=f%20crimp%20tool
edit to add, they do a vast range, so worth looking at their alternatives too.
another edit
F type connectors are a coax connector, I don't know why F is listed in the carbuilder description. but whatever, look at the cpc/farnel (or RS)
range.
ps, this is probably what you are after
https://cpc.farnell.com/roebuck/27-2404/ratchet-crimp-tool-set/dp/TL07062
[Edited on 25/7/22 by gremlin1234]
Those first two links are for crimping plugs onto co-axial cables - F-connectors for satellite TV, BNC connectors for oscilloscope probes, old network
cables,, etc.
The third one looks right.
I bought one for uninsulated terminals from one of teh suppliers. Not a ratchet type, but workd well enough.
Looks very much like this one
https://www.12voltplanet.co.uk/non-insulated-terminal-crimping-tool-standard-duty.html
but they also sell a ratchet type
https://www.12voltplanet.co.uk/non-insulated-terminal-ratchet-crimping-tool-heavy-duty.html
I would expect quality to be good from them, or indeed any of the auto electrical suppiers
This is the sort of thing we use at work day in day out (taken from the 3rd link in gremlin1234's post). I also whipped a set home at evenings
and weekends when wiring my MK Iddy. They just work and do a good job.
ps, this is probably what you are after
https://cpc.farnell.com/roebuck/27-2404/ratchet-crimp-tool-set/dp/TL070
62
I would advise using non insulated crimps wherever possible. They're far more robust and much easier to inspect compared to insulated crimps.
I've used a few and haven't seen one that makes unusable crimps so I wouldn't worry too much about supplier, but as I say, you can see
exactly how well the crimp has formed after the fact with non insulated terminals. This one from farnell looks fine and being from a known industrial
supplier (Farnell, not 'Duratool'
, is unlikely to be complete junk.
https://cpc.farnell.com/duratool/d03008/ratchet-crimp-tool-non-insulated/dp/TL01486
I use this sucker:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07JFK58R3/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Works a treat, never fails to make a good solid crimp connection with a really good pull-out strength.
Uninsulated crimps are better for inspection, but I don't need to inspect it when it works fine - a quick pull test proves the joint and I'm
good to go.
These are light years better than the cheapy scissor-action crimpers, that's for sure.
There are two types of connector that call themselved f-type. The co-ax ones and the open barrel 'flag' type which can be used on a car wiring loom. The upside of a flag connector is that there is one crimp over the bare wire and a second over the insulation. So if you are fussy probably a stronger crimp than the insulated type (and visually capable of inspection). Also...the connectors are dead cheap. But you do need the right tool for the connector and wire size. So you pays your money and takes your choice.
Definitely not the locust option, but I bought one of THESE about 10 years ago. Obviously times have changed, but I think I got a complete set with about 7 or 8 different dies included for South of £200. By o means the cheapest, but Knipex never were! Never had any issues with it yet, space saved in the garage by not having half a dozen different crimping tools, and as good as the day I bought it. No doubt you can buy a cheaper kit on eBay that has the same/similar setup for a lot less....
Thanks all for the input.
I ended up buying a pair of “Laser” brand crimpers, which I think are the same as the CBS items. The ones I got do both insulated and uninsulated
connectors. They seem like a reasonable price of kit, but I haven’t actually tried to use them yet.
quote:
Originally posted by Matty Dog
Thanks all for the input.
I ended up buying a pair of “Laser” brand crimpers, which I think are the same as the CBS items. The ones I got do both insulated and uninsulated connectors. They seem like a reasonable price of kit, but I haven’t actually tried to use them yet.