I am building a wiring harness and I want to get a quality crimp tool for insulated & non-insulated ring terminals, quick disconnects & bullet connectors roughly 10-18 AWG. Can anyone recommend a really quality one? From what I hear ratcheting is the way to go.

Thanks in advance!
Matt

 

i paid 10 bucks for mines @ harbor freight not bad did its job.

 

Was it ratcheting?

 

You can get them for 25$ at the Home Depot and Lowes

http://www.amazon.com/Klein-Tools-In...2659695&sr=8-1

Best crimpers for the price.

I have a set of blue points but that's because I just like them better.

You really don't need a ratcheting set unless you get the big ones for doing 4-0ga wire. (You don't want to know how much those cost either.)

edit: If your doing an engine harness or any thing else critical Solder and shrink wrap tubing is the way to go.

 

honestly ive used commercial crimps and ones u can pick up from a labor shop both worked about the same imo the commercial one had a smoother feel thought but unless u buy a 2 dollar one there all pretty good

 

As a professional, I prefer Klein or Channel Lock. The thinner it is, the easier it's going to be to crimp the connectors. If you're going to do a lot of stripping, I'd recommend a dedicated wire stripper also.


something like this for stripping wires will work fine for home use.

 

my fav is Klein, although i use one set of crimpers for all my jobs, i got them at Lowes for $20, http://www.darvex.com/mm5/graphics/00000001/KLN1005.jpg

I use those to strip also- when i'm doing low voltage application and not too concerned about breaking a strand or two. Here at work i have some really nice ratcheting crimpers but they are $200-$300 a pair with the proper dye's

 

I use Kleins because I am cheap and tend to leave them places. They work great but do tend to hurt my hands under heavy use. I really like the Snap On ones, they seem smoother and have better leverage