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Fri Nov 03, 2017 4:08 pm

My Birthday and Christmas are coming up, and I'd like to get a really nice wire crimping tool (that's still made today). I want one of the good ones that crimp electrical connectors like the OEM connections on our beetles. I don't know the name of the particular crimping tool, or the brand name. It's the kind that pushes the spit ends of the connector into the wires, instead of smashing the connector. I believe the same tool pinched the insulated portion of the wire for a nice hold. Also, I'd need a source for the special connectors that have the collar for pinching the insulated part of the wire.

This may come in some type of kit--the crimping tool, as well as the connectors together.

Anyone know for certain?

Tim

Fri Nov 03, 2017 4:34 pm

Google "Open Barrel" crimper, that's the style you're looking for. Several brands.

Robyn

Fri Nov 03, 2017 4:38 pm

https://www.amazon.com/Eclipse-300-005-Ratcheted-N...mping+tool

They are called open barrel wire crimping tools Tim. Amazon sells many versions. There's a guy in the classifieds on this site that sells the connectors. If you search ebay or google, many other places sell them as well. You want the good copper ones, not aluminum.

Fri Nov 03, 2017 5:12 pm

That looks like the tool I bought from a local electronics suppy company. Used it to make factory looking connections on my Dad's 1957 Chevy pickup when I installed a new harness for him.

You can probably get the terminals (and connectors and the crimper too) from here, www.delcity.net I picked up some American factory style connectors (Packard connectors) and terminals from them.

Fri Nov 03, 2017 8:24 pm

My first crimping tool was a razor blade and a set of pliers. Anything better will just make the job easier. It's all a matter of how much you want to spend.

Fri Nov 03, 2017 8:44 pm

The crimp tool that wcfvw69 has in his photo has swappable crimps. Unscrew those and put in some for TV cable. Hope that makes sense. I have used a similar set. Get those you will be glad you did.

Fri Nov 03, 2017 9:01 pm

kawfee wrote: My first crimping tool was a razor blade and a set of pliers. Anything better will just make the job easier. It's all a matter of how much you want to spend.
Not true, a correct crimpo tool will make a better connection than just crushing it with pliers.

Fri Nov 03, 2017 9:28 pm

Glenn wrote: kawfee wrote: My first crimping tool was a razor blade and a set of pliers. Anything better will just make the job easier. It's all a matter of how much you want to spend.
Not true, a correct crimpo tool will make a better connection than just crushing it with pliers.

I didn't intend to mislead you that just using any pliers and squeezing them would do the job. You might have to spend a significant amount of time to get it right. If you are using different pliers and spend enough time you could do the exact same job. All the crimper is going to do is set your metal and wire correct so that you get the best crimp most of the time. In the long run you are better off buying a tool to do the job for you to save time especially if you are crimping by the hour.

Fri Nov 03, 2017 10:57 pm

You will want to use AMP terminals, they are the oem supplier. They also supplied the correct crimpers to VW. These are the crimpers I find that work best.

Fri Nov 03, 2017 11:40 pm

My quandary was the price for the tool. If you only need to do one crimp job it's a large price to pay. I saw one ampliversal on ebay. It's $50.

I guess if you want a good tool you have to pay for it.

Sat Nov 04, 2017 1:19 am

Al Capulco wrote: You will want to use AMP terminals, they are the oem supplier. They also supplied the correct crimpers to VW. These are the crimpers I find that work best.

The AMP crimpers (top one) is the only style that I use. They're worth their weight in gold. I have the three most common sizes. I'm a swap meet / thrift store junky, and I don't think that I have ever paid more then $15 for one. Tim, what size are you looking for?

Sat Nov 04, 2017 4:21 am

I use an Engineer Inc. Crimping tool set (PAD-01) these days which are from Japan.

I have found them to be the best currently available new. They sell from around US$130 on Ebay.

This kit covers most of the non insulated terminals that you would come across.

http://www.engineer.jp/en/products/pad11_13e.html

Sat Nov 04, 2017 5:04 am

For work I use this one from Engineer Inc. Great product.

Sat Nov 04, 2017 7:25 am

The swap meets, pawn shop are a fine place to obtain the tool (s) one needs. I bet you would find a nice tool at the pawn shop.

Sat Nov 04, 2017 8:38 am

Found a reasonably priced kit with a wire stripper and interchangeable jaws.
https://www.amazon.com/IWISS-Crimping-different-terminals-interchangeable/dp/B0195VXA10/
The only thing missing is thumbscrews for holding the jaws in place. Having to use a screwdriver is a pain.
I don't recall where I bought my crimper but I'm pretty sure it was more than the $30 they are asking for.

Sun Nov 05, 2017 7:05 pm

Thanks for starting this thread! I almost forgot I had one of these good crimpers until a few days ago reading this. Tonight I used it to terminate a sending unit ground wire for my double cab. Worked fantastically. It's just like the one wcfvw69 pictured above. At Habitat for Humanity ReStore I paid $4 for it.

Sun Nov 05, 2017 7:57 pm

ashman40 wrote: The only thing missing is thumbscrews for holding the jaws in place. Having to use a screwdriver is a pain.

How often do you change your jaws? :P
Robbie

Sun Nov 05, 2017 8:29 pm

You can change the jaws to change the usage. For example standard terminal ends vs spark plug wires

I personally like soldering after the crimp if its in an important area, although its unnecessary.

Sun Nov 05, 2017 11:33 pm

wcfvw69 wrote: ...https://www.amazon.com/Eclipse-300-005-Ratcheted-Non-Insulated-Terminals/dp/B075MQKFG5/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1509752177&sr=8-7&keywords=open+barrel+crimping+tool

They are called open barrel wire crimping tools Tim. Amazon sells many versions. There's a guy in the classifieds on this site that sells the connectors...

I have those crimpers too, and they are (it is?) great; well worth the money. $50 for a quality crimper is a good deal!

FWIW, I bought some terminals from the samba ad, and they were ok, but by far the best terminals I've used came from Digi-Key. Ratwell.com website has a chart of connector p/n's for the common terminals.

Robbie.. actually that crimper is bad about losing the die thumbscrews! Both of mine get loose just from casual use. I hate to admit it but I lost one myself, and being in a pinch I stabbed a rear axle cotter pin in the hole and it's been there ever since :lol: :lol:

Mon Nov 06, 2017 12:27 am

asiab3 wrote: ashman40 wrote: The only thing missing is thumbscrews for holding the jaws in place. Having to use a screwdriver is a pain.

How often do you change your jaws? :P
Actually, it seems like every time I reach for them (which is not often) they have the wrong jaws for the job at hand. :cry: Having the thumb screws saves me that extra min looking for a screwdriver.