Don't like the adverts?  Click here to remove them

Crimper for small pins

Richard Turner

Well-Known Member
Supporter
Joined
Sep 25, 2017
Messages
455
Garage
Country Flag
uk
Does anyone know how I can buy a set of crimping tools for these small pins, I don't know what they are called.
20180214_220856.jpg


I have a blue set of crimpers but they are slightly too small. I have borrowed the green set of crimper and the 16-14 slot is perfect. But I want to buy my own set.
15186461607781718992827.jpg


15186461859031083841130.jpg


Thanks for any help or pointers!
 
Mac tools do a really good set too ( can get the part number tomorrow if you want?)
 
Unfortunately cant see the type I need on vehicle wiring products, they only have the insulated and non insulated type of the normal spade connectors and i have those sets already, although they do have some great looking fuse and relay boxes which I need so will remember the site, loads of great bits on there.

Gary if you have the part number for the Mac ones that would be great, thanks!
 
Btw - for those looking in and thinking what's wrong with the normal blue and red spade crimping things I got off the market with a box of terminals for £4.99 then you wouldn't understand. Ha ha.

These things actually crimp the wire and the insulation to the terminal in a sort of folded butterfly crimp. Just like they use at the factory. They are so superior it's unbelievable.
 
Don't like the adverts?  Click here to remove them
That tool is for bullet and spade terminals, it doesnt fold the pins properly on the type in the picture. They need to fold in and grip a rubber grommet as well, and the front half of the fold needs to be tighter than the back.

I have found the tool I need though! http://www.vehicle-wiring-products.eu/product.php?xProd=271

They also do a super set of weather proof connectors and includes the tool so I think I will get this set.

http://www.vehicle-wiring-products.eu/product.php/1078/weatherproof-connector-kit-with-ratchet-tool
 
Ahh you know the pins I mean, you are right the normal market type ones are not the good type to say the least!
 
It doesn’t look like the Mac ones are stepped, I.e. do the cable strain and the crimp on the wire. They would need to be used twice which in actual fact is not such a bad thing as the pins sometimes vary in distance or size between the wire crimp and the insulation crimp especially if there is a sealing rubber to be crimped as well. I have to say I thinknthe ones Chris posted are fine. I’ve used and still use this type and with different jaws they do the red, blue and yellow insulated crimps. There’s nothing at all wrong with that type as they are ratchet crimpers and are adjustable too.

Specialised Wiring Accessories do a very nice crimper that you can change the dies on and can be operated one handed for positioning. Not sure if they do this type of ‘m’ crimp though, I would need to look.
 
Ok, after a bit of searching.
These are known as ‘Open Barrel’ terminals
https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=open+barrel+terminals&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&hl=en-gb&client=safari
so need an open barrel crimp tool.
SWA do them here. http://www.swaonline.co.uk/tooling/crimp-tools-for-uninsulated-terminals/uninsulated-crimpers
These are the crimpers you can operate with one hand and are in the second photo.

If you want these from SWA, send me a PM and I will talk to them for you as this may be beneficial.

Though the Mac ones aren’t ratchet types that I can see, they won’t put as much pressure on as these but could be more versatile in being only single dies as opposed to twin ones (two steps for each size) like the SWA ones.
 
Yeah they have to be used twice but sometimes space is restricted and we use various sizes so I prefer them.
The proper BMW one's are like the ones pictured above but can be too bulky at times. I don't have to search for mine either lol
 
To be honest Richard I would not use crimps on those I would put the cable in
and crimp it over with pliers but the main point is solder the conductor

Far better job than crimping alone
 
I have to say, it really is the opposite, though I do concede there’s not a lot in it. A properly made crimp joint is better than a properly made solder joint for the reason that the solder ends at an uncontrolled point up the cable and can cause a fracturing point with bending and vibration. In many situations, this doesn’t matter and if supported, a soldered joint is usually fine. A properly made crimp on the other hand has a ‘lead in’ to the squeeze point. The only crimp joints I ever find that are poor or failed are those made with pliers, crimping pliers or the wrong tool for the crimp. If aircraft can use them, which they do, albeit with calibrated tooling, then there’s nothing wrong with crimping and it is a repeatable, type testable process. Right crimp+ right tool= a certifiably good repeatable connection.

A crimped connection will also survive wide variations in temperature where a soldered one can fail, obviously if in a hot zone.
 
I have to admit that at times I have crimped and soldered. But I agree with Rich that when the solder tracks up the cable it causes a point of inflexion that can break. I figure if Mr T crimps then it's good enough for me. I can honestly say I've never had a crimped on fail and I've done bucket loads of them.
 
I think the comment "A properly made crimp joint " is the point at least if it is soldered you get a good electrical connection and if you get water in it wont corrode and get a high resistance .
The reason the likes of the manufactures don't solder is its more expensive and harder to do in production, but when done via diy I would always solder
 
I can't really solder these as I have 54 looms to make each with 16 pins so it would be too time consuming. That's why I want the proper tool to do each one perfectly in one hit. They are rear lamp looms for DAF lorries.

This is the lamp end of the loom, it has a tight radius to fit round.

1518704589261386070851.jpg


I also want the crimpers so I can make really good weatherproof connections for the cruiser of course...

Solder has a lot of good uses, these solder lined butt terminals are really good, they heatshrink and glue the cables then the solder melts and solders the cable. A fantastic permanent connection, although the normal heatshrink crimp connectors are great too.

15187048359451040472150.jpg


Ordered myself a nice new set of superseal crimpers! Thanks for everyones help in finding out what the pesky things are called and the links for the great electrical websites.
 
Use wiring crimp connectors most days at work, even have them for joining wires together. Soldering isn't actually approved by a lot of manufacturers for repairs now tbh.
I've never had one fail but have seen poorly soldered joints cause problems.

The Mac one's don't ratchet, slimline design comes in handy if trying to get in between wires in a loom.


@Richard Turner I could happily make Looms up like That, I like doing big wiring repairs and fitting repair looms, always a satisfying job.
 
Back
Top