Comments on: Finds: A Crimp Terminal Assortment Set http://toolmonger.com/2006/12/30/finds-a-crimp-terminal-assortment-set/ All tools. All the time. Your source for news, information, and reviews of hand tools, power tools, and tools of all kinds. Sat, 22 Nov 2008 17:30:30 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.1 By: Lorraine Mcbride http://toolmonger.com/2006/12/30/finds-a-crimp-terminal-assortment-set/#comment-659023 Lorraine Mcbride Thu, 13 Nov 2008 04:06:46 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2006/12/30/finds-a-crimp-terminal-assortment-set/#comment-659023 kxc7t0jiyqrtsvmc kxc7t0jiyqrtsvmc

]]> By: Toolmonger » Blog Archive » Test to Destruction: Crimp Terminals http://toolmonger.com/2006/12/30/finds-a-crimp-terminal-assortment-set/#comment-22712 Toolmonger » Blog Archive » Test to Destruction: Crimp Terminals Sat, 17 Feb 2007 00:53:32 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2006/12/30/finds-a-crimp-terminal-assortment-set/#comment-22712 [...] Some months back when Chuck mentioned a Storehouse brand assortment of crimp terminals, I commented that this was one place you really didn’t want to skimp on quality.  We all agreed this would be a good subject to test emperically, and I finally found the time to jump in and give it a shot.  [...] [...] Some months back when Chuck mentioned a Storehouse brand assortment of crimp terminals, I commented that this was one place you really didn’t want to skimp on quality.  We all agreed this would be a good subject to test emperically, and I finally found the time to jump in and give it a shot.  [...]

]]> By: Myself http://toolmonger.com/2006/12/30/finds-a-crimp-terminal-assortment-set/#comment-10677 Myself Mon, 01 Jan 2007 01:18:48 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2006/12/30/finds-a-crimp-terminal-assortment-set/#comment-10677 Look no further than Thomas and Betts. Tyco/Amp is another old reliable name, as is 3M. None of the big boys are known for variety packs though; you're generally expected to order thousand-count boxes of the specific parts you need. Digi-Key sells a 650-piece kit of assorted 3M connectors and wire ties for $155, comes in a kickass metal box and includes wire markers. It's on page 294 of the 2007 catalog, or just search for "terminal kit" on their site. Also handy to have on hand are "scotchlok" self-crimping splices. They're for smaller wire, and can be crimped with regular pliers because they work by insulation displacement. Telephone installers have a love-hate relationship with these "beans", and they're not appropriate for carrying much current, just signals. Not for high-speed data use. :) Look no further than Thomas and Betts. Tyco/Amp is another old reliable name, as is 3M. None of the big boys are known for variety packs though; you’re generally expected to order thousand-count boxes of the specific parts you need.

Digi-Key sells a 650-piece kit of assorted 3M connectors and wire ties for $155, comes in a kickass metal box and includes wire markers. It’s on page 294 of the 2007 catalog, or just search for “terminal kit” on their site.

Also handy to have on hand are “scotchlok” self-crimping splices. They’re for smaller wire, and can be crimped with regular pliers because they work by insulation displacement. Telephone installers have a love-hate relationship with these “beans”, and they’re not appropriate for carrying much current, just signals. Not for high-speed data use. :)

]]> By: Chuck Cage http://toolmonger.com/2006/12/30/finds-a-crimp-terminal-assortment-set/#comment-10669 Chuck Cage Mon, 01 Jan 2007 00:38:59 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2006/12/30/finds-a-crimp-terminal-assortment-set/#comment-10669 Myself: Good info -- and sounds like something we ought to do here on TM and publish. Who would you recommend as a good supplier of a bulk kit like the one here? We didn't pay squat for our cheapie HF, and maybe we'll pick up a better one as well. Myself: Good info — and sounds like something we ought to do here on TM and publish. Who would you recommend as a good supplier of a bulk kit like the one here? We didn’t pay squat for our cheapie HF, and maybe we’ll pick up a better one as well.

]]> By: Myself http://toolmonger.com/2006/12/30/finds-a-crimp-terminal-assortment-set/#comment-10553 Myself Sun, 31 Dec 2006 15:49:20 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2006/12/30/finds-a-crimp-terminal-assortment-set/#comment-10553 The terminals work fine at first, but they have poor pull-out resistance because the insides of the barrels are smooth, not scored like in the good brands. If you have a full-cycle ratchet crimper that'll really smash these things, or if you plan to solder them afterward, you can get away with cheap connectors. But if you're using the pliers-style cheapies, expect bad crimps from good terminals, and terrible crimps from cheap terminals. A numer of industry specifications define various values for the expected pull-out strength of a crimped contact, and they vary with wire size and material. As a rough guideline, a 12ga tinned copper crimp should withstand between 65 and 110 pounds of tension, depending on who you ask. Try this: Get some good ring terminals (Alpha or T&B would be nice), and some Harbor Freight brand. Crimp them onto opposite ends of a short piece of wire, then hang heavy things from it and see which end separates first. You get what you pay for. The terminals work fine at first, but they have poor pull-out resistance because the insides of the barrels are smooth, not scored like in the good brands. If you have a full-cycle ratchet crimper that’ll really smash these things, or if you plan to solder them afterward, you can get away with cheap connectors. But if you’re using the pliers-style cheapies, expect bad crimps from good terminals, and terrible crimps from cheap terminals.

A numer of industry specifications define various values for the expected pull-out strength of a crimped contact, and they vary with wire size and material. As a rough guideline, a 12ga tinned copper crimp should withstand between 65 and 110 pounds of tension, depending on who you ask.

Try this: Get some good ring terminals (Alpha or T&B would be nice), and some Harbor Freight brand. Crimp them onto opposite ends of a short piece of wire, then hang heavy things from it and see which end separates first. You get what you pay for.

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