pic: Year of the Crimper for 2170

[Bill_B]

loading photo ...

[JamesCH95]

Lookin' good. Have you tested any of the crimps you have made?

[Bill_B]

The kids tend to wimp out when squeezing, so the ratchets at least assure a better consistency. Now to get the right wire sizes into the connectors! My freshman hammerer didn't hit the "big" one hard enough the first time and "wasted" a #6 lug. The rest of the room was surprised when I demonstrated the "proper" use of the hammer. So only tug testing was done. I hope I emphasized pulling on every crimp as their first level of confidence in their work. Take time to do it right, you might not get the time to do it over. I'd show pictures of the results but they're all installed now. Next project - strain relief!

[Jim Wilks]

You're not crimping the #6 lugs as well?

[Bill_B]

Originally Posted by Jim Wilks

You're not crimping the #6 lugs as well?

In case you didn't pick up on it from subsequent posts, Jim, yes we used the hammer crimper on the upper right. It was just that the guy hitting the top of the plunger did not go into full "Thor" mode with his swing. His next attempt was better after I showed my carney sideshow strongman swing.

[JamesCH95]

Very good, though serious pull-testing and/or section of crimp connections is most enlightening, and the only real way to test a crimp. We have the same 6awg crimper and showed that with correct usage the crimp connection is basically air-tight. In our pull-test the ring failed at 285lbf, not the crimp!

[pfreivald]

We use a pair of lineman's crimpers sometimes.... We bought them for aluminum ferrules (because sometimes steel cable is the best tool for the job, even if you'd rather it not be), and they make excellent overkill on electrical connectors for 12 awg wire.

[Bruceb]

where do I get a good 6ga crimper?

[JamesCH95]

Originally Posted by Bruceb

where do I get a good 6ga crimper?

http://www.mcmaster.com/#7061k12/=qowog4

[Jim Wilks]

We use for #6 crimps the Thomas & Betts TBM45S.

http://www.alliedelec.com/search/pro...x?SKU=70039903

Costs more, but you get what you pay for.

[JamesCH95]

Originally Posted by Jim Wilks

We use for #6 crimps the Thomas & Betts TBM45S.

http://www.alliedelec.com/search/pro...x?SKU=70039903

Costs more, but you get what you pay for.

Here is a section of the first crimp I made with the aforementioned McMaster crimper. I don't know if one can do better than solid copper...

[Jim Wilks]

I'll not argue that the shown crimp looks good. The lack of a ratcheting mechanism on the McMaster unit makes poor crimps also equally possible.

[JamesCH95]

Originally Posted by Jim Wilks

I'll not argue that the shown crimp looks good. The lack of a ratcheting mechanism on the McMaster unit makes poor crimps also equally possible.

As far as I can tell there is a depth gauge on the side of the crimper indicating when the fitting is properly crimped. The gradations are visible in this picture. Though it's not as foolproof as a ratcheting, it will do much better than a 50/50 chance of getting a good crimp as you imply.