terminals & crimper recommendation sought

[s.e.charles]

I know there's a gazillion wiring threads, but i'm hoping for a more concise answer than "search" will net.

to wit:

from Amazon, is there a brand & model terminal crimper that will get me through most wiring scenarios?

and, 2-part question, is there a brand of terminals (no heat shrink needed) which is better than the others?

thanks

 

[DaveInDenver]

Need to narrow it down a bit, what sorts of terminals? Small gauge, battery terminals, etc. Does it have to be from Amazon? Do you have a strict budget in mind or is this purely a quality vs value question?

If we're talking about typical general purpose chassis wiring you're safe going with an Ideal frame and dies to match whatever you're doing. Not the cheapest but shouldn't be to awful expensive. I think the frame I have was about $50 but a set of Ideal dies is going probably be $40 each. The thing here is with the crimper frame you could probably skimp and the knock-offs are OK but the difference between good and bad dies is obvious and it's hard to say without seeing a set up close and using them.

Generally for terminals the best general use are brands like TE (Tyco), Molex, 3M, Amphenol, Panduit.

 

[shade]

I know there's a gazillion wiring threads, but i'm hoping for a more concise answer than "search" will net.

to wit:

from Amazon, is there a brand & model terminal crimper that will get me through most wiring scenarios?

and, 2-part question, is there a brand of terminals (no heat shrink needed) which is better than the others?

thanks

Dave has some pertinent questions, but here's a good place for general answers:

Marine Wire Termination - Marine How To

Marine Wire Termination - Tools of the Trade MHT Recommended Tools: The products below are our top picks for crimp tools. RecommendationsI include; PRO GRADE, MARINE GRADE, & PENNY SAVER GRADE. Every tool recommended BELOW, we have tested here.

marinehowto.com

The modular crimper he sells is good, and the dies may work for your needs. RC has some terminal type & brand recommendations in that article, too.

 

[s.e.charles]

Need to narrow it down a bit, what sorts of terminals = spade m & f & 3-way spade? Small gauge = YES (only) , battery terminals, etc. Does it have to be from Amazon = YES (only) ? Do you have a strict budget in mind or is this purely a quality vs value question = YES (only) ?

… for terminals the best general use are brands like TE (Tyco), Molex, 3M, Amphenol, Panduit. got it; thanks

I guess I should 'fess up and admit it's for a Lionel model railroad layout i'm building for a friend!

 

[john61ct]

Dave has some pertinent questions, but here's a good place for general answers:

Marine Wire Termination - Marine How To

Marine Wire Termination - Tools of the Trade MHT Recommended Tools: The products below are our top picks for crimp tools. RecommendationsI include; PRO GRADE, MARINE GRADE, & PENNY SAVER GRADE. Every tool recommended BELOW, we have tested here.

marinehowto.com

The modular crimper he sells is good, and the dies may work for your needs. RC has some terminal type & brand recommendations in that article, too.

Also the battery cable post, everything at that site is good.

Amazon has huge gaps once you get into specialist gear.

genuinedealz.com for custom harnesses if you can't justify buying the right tools and supplies.

Some places let you use the tools if you buy your supplies there.

 

[SquirrelZ]

"I guess I should 'fess up and admit it's for a Lionel model railroad layout i'm building for a friend!"

OK, its way off topic and some might consider it off color humor, but you brought up toy trains.... This just happens to be one of my favorite jokes.

How are toy trains like women's breasts?

Both were intended for small children but adult men seem to get the most pleasure out of them.

And back on topic....

I bought this crimper for wiring a camper van. The quality is OK but I did have one crimp that was a bit loose. It was easily resolved by wrapping the lug in a few turns of electrical wire and recrimping.

TEMCo Hydraulic Cable Lug Crimper TH0006-5 US TON 12 AWG to 00 (2/0) Electrical Terminal Cable Wire Tool Kit 5 YEAR WARRANTY - - Amazon.com

TEMCo Hydraulic Cable Lug Crimper TH0006-5 US TON 12 AWG to 00 (2/0) Electrical Terminal Cable Wire Tool Kit 5 YEAR WARRANTY - - Amazon.com

www.amazon.com

 

[shade]

Are you only considering products sourced from Amazon?

If so, why?

 

[s.e.charles]

Are you only considering products sourced from Amazon?

If so, why?

quick & easy.

this is one of those projects I liken to ordering a steak in a restaurant: I simply want to have dinner. there is no added value to the wait-person standing there and explain all the parts of a cow.

 

[s.e.charles]

"I guess I should 'fess up and admit it's for a Lionel model railroad layout i'm building for a friend!"

OK, its way off topic and some might consider it off color humor, but you brought up toy trains.... This just happens to be one of my favorite jokes.

How are toy trains like women's breasts?

Both were intended for small children but adult men seem to get the most pleasure out of them.

...

it's the ride through the tunnel i'm most looking forward.

 

[shade]

quick & easy.

this is one of those projects I liken to ordering a steak in a restaurant: I simply want to have dinner. there is no added value to the wait-person standing there and explain all the parts of a cow.

As John mentioned, Amazon can be a spotty source for such things. It's definitely not always a WYSIWYG experience.

As long as the correct dies are available, you'll have no problems with this crimper, and SailboatOwners appears to have the terminal types you want.

If you use that tool and those terminals properly, I doubt you'll have a problem with any connections, whether on a model railroad, offroad vehicle, or boat. I wouldn't say the same of the Amazon route, but that may work out ok, too. Maybe you'll get the steak that wasn't dropped on the floor.

Or maybe you will.

 

[john61ct]

quick & easy.

this is one of those projects I liken to ordering a steak in a restaurant: I simply want to have dinner. there is no added value to the wait-person standing there and explain all the parts of a cow.

Problem is you're not likely to find a good steak going to McD's

 

[shade]

Problem is you're not likely to find a good steak going to McD's

I have a friend that loves McRibs. Seriously.

He'd also buy a 200 pc jar of ring terminals for $5, use the free crimper for installation, and wonder why things went wonky a few months later.

 

[s.e.charles]

thanks for the help guys; it's been an overwhelming experience.

 

[luthj]

I bought some of these to put in my spares box. These are not heat shrink, but work okay. I preffer heat shrink units as they are more secure though. They are definitely lighter duty. If I was doing high power or mission critical applications, I would spring for name brand like AMP or Molex etc.

Amazon.com: Glarks 180pcs 22-16 16-14 12-10 Gauge Nylon Fully Insulated Male/Female Spade Quick Splice Wire Disconnect Electrical Insulated Crimp Terminals Connectors Assortment Kit

Amazon.com: Glarks 180pcs 22-16 16-14 12-10 Gauge Nylon Fully Insulated Male/Female Spade Quick Splice Wire Disconnect Electrical Insulated Crimp Terminals Connectors Assortment Kit

www.amazon.com

I have had this crimper for about 6 years. Adjustable release for repeatable crimps. The dies are for insulated terminals, and should do 18 to 10 AWG.

Titan 11477 Ratcheting Wire Terminal Crimper Tool for Insulated Terminals - - Amazon.com

Titan 11477 Ratcheting Wire Terminal Crimper Tool for Insulated Terminals - - Amazon.com

www.amazon.com

 

[macexpress]

OTC makes a very nice and easy to use automotive crimper. It's copied from a design that both Mac Tools and Snap-on uses that is very popular.

Amazon.com: OTC (5950K) Crimpro 4-in-1 Wire Service Set: Automotive

Buy OTC (5950K) Crimpro 4-in-1 Wire Service Set: Tool Sets - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

www.amazon.com