Proper use of old style hand crimpers

I agree 100%. Unfortunately, I've seen many jobs where they crimp the male tooth on the seam...it's supposed to be opposite the seam for a non insulated terminal like cuda al said. Once you have tried the proper crimp tool after using the one pictured for so long you'll know why the proper tool is important to obtain consistent strong crimps that are easy to do and easy on the hands after a big job. In the past I have only used the one as pictured for cutting wire and maybe a small non insulated crimp and I never used them again once I got the ratcheting crimper. If the price is a concern, the klein crimping/cutting tool (part#1005 or similar - harbor freight has a similar style) is superior to the one pictured in the original post IMO. I bought the S&G crimper a couple of years ago for around 75 bucks and comes with hard case and about 5 dies. love it. As far as I'm concerned it paid for itself on a complete rewire. All my wiring is by 3 tools. The ratchet crimper, the klein tool for cutting (sometimes a crimp), and the home depot/box store wire stripper that cuts the insulation and pulls the coating off in one squeeze without cutting into the copper.

Cuda Al said

Not sure anyone is overthinking it, there is a proper tool for each terminal and a proper way to use each tool.

Although the tool in the original post is the common tool it isn’t the proper tool for insulated terminals.

That tool is designed for uninsulated terminals without the strain relief. When used on uninsulated terminals the male peg part goes on the bottom (opposite the seam).

Insulated terminals require a tool that compresses the terminal uniformly on both sides without damage to the insulation.

Terminals with the strain relief typically require a specific tool that is designed to both crimp the terminal on the wire and press the strain relief into the insulation.

Can you use that tool on insulated terminals, yes, I wouldn’t.


Alan

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