cable terminal crimpers

any recommendations for a battery cable terminal crimper that works good for you?
i see a lot on ebay under $40. any good?

This unit has been mentioned here in the past. Never used one myself, but folks seem to like it.

http://www.harborfreight.com/hydraulic-wire-crimping-tool-66150.html

Mike S said:

This unit has been mentioned here in the past. Never used one myself, but folks seem to like it.

http://www.harborfreight.com/hydraulic-wire-crimping-tool-66150.html

Click to expand...

That's what I used. Not flying yet but it sure seems to make a good crimp and there's no way I can pull the terminal off.

Chris

A much cheaper alternative remembered from my days doing this many years ago...

http://www.vansairforce.com/community/showthread.php?t=27136&highlight=battery+cable+terminal

Still going strong after 3+ years flying. Not sure the tool is still available from the same supplier, but I'm sure they're around somewhere.

I just purchased and used a set (like the HF version) from Amazon for $40. They worked great.

I had done all my battery cables, but when I found the Harbor Freight crimper, I tossed all my cables and did them right! Highly recommended tool!

thanks for the advice. next time in wausau i will hit hf along with fleet farm of course!

Terminal Tool

I used the Patented "Terminal Tool" that was invented by RV builder Bill Wightman.

I do not remember where I purchased mine or where to buy one now but IMHO, it was by far the BEST crimp tool on the market.

Found the web link for the Terminal Tool after I wrote this so am adding it in.

bobnoffs said:

thanks for the advice. next time in wausau i will hit hf along with fleet farm of course!

Click to expand...

I was not happy with the HF offering. It did not have a die large enough for the battery cable. Take a terminal and piece of wire with you and try it in the parking lot. It sounds like HF is a trip into town. This will save a return trip if needed.

Terminal Tool

Hello all. Been a while since I posted on VAF. There's still interest in the tool, but I've taken it off market due to dwindling margins.

Anybody who owns a TT5000 will still find support for the tool directly from me at the Terminal Tool website. I do hold back parts for warranty claims and spares. A full TT set at this time isn't available but by this summer I will be able to get maybe 30 more tool sets made from the last production run from the foundry (which has now shut down). That will permanently end production on the current model.

Manufacturing, selling and marketing the TT has been interesting and fun for sure. I've learned much from my customers, and have a new TT under development that still incorporates the patented swaging geometry, but vastly improves the product in terms of cost and working envelope. No definite time frame on the new tool...

I built my own from an old nut that was just a whisker smaller than the terminal OD. Cut it in two along the threads, put the cable into the terminal, then half a nut each side and squeezed it in the vice. Been running for over two years, no problems.
About the same standard of workmanship as using a bit of copper pipe squeezed up and drilled as proposed by an EAA video. A method I have used on my tractor, but it has come apart after about ten years of heat and vibration.