Which Crimp tool to use: Single or Double.

[Tree]

I've decided to rewire and update my electrical panel this spring. Having read most (maybe all) of the threads here on "proper" crimping, I am going to buy a "good" crimping tool.

The question is:

Should I buy a single crimp tool (example... The Ancor 702010).... am I correct that these are designed for and work great if you are using heat shrink type terminals? Or, do they work on all types of terminals..... you just have to do two crimps on the standard terminal?

or

Should i buy the double crimp type (example..... the Ancor 701030) .... that work great on the standard terminals.... but can be a little tricky when using the heat shrink type terminal. (it's possible to rip the heat shrink)

The double and single crimp tools are close to the same price.

The Ancor single crimp tool is harder to find right now.... not sure why, the three places I've found on line that list them say they are back ordered and don't know when they are going to be available. Most of my usual places to order marine things don't list them at all. Even Amazon shows them as not available.

But the double type crimp tool is available at all the marine retailers.

Since the double crimp type tool crimps into the connection the secondary strain relief plastic, is this the better tool? Or, is the heat shrink type connection superior?

Or.....Can you put heat shrink over the standard type terminals after you've (double) crimped the terminal?

Or.... is there specific times you should use one type of terminal over the other?

Thanks in advance.....
(stuck in the cold of winter .... enjoying thinking of spring and boat projects)

[btrayfors]

Drives you nuts, doesn't it? :-)

I do this stuff professionally, and have found it's a very good idea to have BOTH types of crimpers. You just have to bite the bullet and shell out a few bucks up front....it only hurts once :-)

Yes, the single-crimp ANCOR tool is for heat-shrink insulated terminals, and works very well. Used properly, it doesn't destroy the heat shrink covering.

However, I very much like the double-crimp terminals because they add a measure of strength, in that part of the crimp grabs the wire's insulation, while part grabs the wire conductor itself. Makes for a very strong connection. I routinely cover these with adhesive heat shrink tubing. Makes for an attractive, functional, watertight, and very strong connection.

One reason to have both types is that sooner or later you're gonna be in the middle of a job and find that no matter how many terminals you've brought along you have run out of the proper size ring terminals of one type or another. Or, the local West Marine may have run out of one type or another. Having the flexibility of using either single-crimp or double-crimp terminals is very useful.

Bill

[Maine Sail]

Originally Posted by btrayfors

Drives you nuts, doesn't it? :-)

I do this stuff professionally, and have found it's a very good idea to have BOTH types of crimpers. You just have to bite the bullet and shell out a few bucks up front....it only hurts once :-)

Yes, the single-crimp ANCOR tool is for heat-shrink insulated terminals, and works very well. Used properly, it doesn't destroy the heat shrink covering.

However, I very much like the double-crimp terminals because they add a measure of strength, in that part of the crimp grabs the wire's insulation, while part grabs the wire conductor itself. Makes for a very strong connection. I routinely cover these with adhesive heat shrink tubing. Makes for an attractive, functional, watertight, and very strong connection.

One reason to have both types is that sooner or later you're gonna be in the middle of a job and find that no matter how many terminals you've brought along you have run out of the proper size ring terminals of one type or another. Or, the local West Marine may have run out of one type or another. Having the flexibility of using either single-crimp or double-crimp terminals is very useful.

Bill

Yes the sad but true reality. Rip just a few heat shrink crimps with the double crimper and the single soon begins to pay for itself.

Whatever you do don't do what this guy did and use a staking or "dimple" crimper on expensive heat shrink terminals...


You don't have a to buy the "Ancor" single ratchet crimper as Sailors Solutions has a near identical model probably made by the same company. I have seen one next to my Ancor and I can't really tell the difference. It is made or imported by FTZ the company that makes some of the nicest heat shrink crimp terminals available sold under the Crimp-n-Seal brand name. or CNS on the terminal. Sailors Solutions also sell the FTZ crimps..

LED lighting, soundproof, Sailor's Solutions Inc.

[r.furborough]

Check out ProsKit for Crimp tools for all types of crimping needs:-

Frames : ProsKit

Dies : ProsKit

I am not associated in any way with ProsKit, they are priced well and the quality is good, I use their products daily.

[Maine Sail]

Originally Posted by r.furborough

Check out ProsKit for Crimp tools for all types of crimping needs:-

Frames : ProsKit

Dies : ProsKit

I am not associated in any way with ProsKit, they are priced well and the quality is good, I use their products daily.

Just ordered a set with a couple of dies to try out. If they are good quality then that's an excellent deal.

[lancelot9898]

Another thought is to use the double crimp tool to gain the advantage of the strain relief and then rather than applying heat shrink over the connection after you've done the crimp...apply liquid electric tape instead.

[Maine Sail]

Originally Posted by r.furborough

Check out ProsKit for Crimp tools for all types of crimping needs:-

Frames : ProsKit

Dies : ProsKit

I am not associated in any way with ProsKit, they are priced well and the quality is good, I use their products daily.

I got my Pro's Kit tool and just finished a two day crimper shoot out complete with video. You can see how the Pro's Kit performed at the link below.

Crimper Shoot Out / Load Test Results (LINK)

[sailingdog]

Very nice Maine Sail.

[MacGyverRI]

I always liked this type of crimper since the cutter and crimper (Thomas & Betts type) were up front like the modular units posted above. I've probably done 500,000+ crimps in my time as a heavy equip. mechanic (30+ yrs.) and never had a problem with these pliers. Also very rugged and easy in tight places. my .02

I also dip the bare wire in Dielectric gel before putting the wire terminal on.

Klein Tools, Inc. 1006 Klein terminal crimper | TESSCO

[Maine Sail]

Originally Posted by MacGyverRI

I always liked this type of crimper since the cutter and crimper (Thomas & Betts type) were up front like the modular units posted above. I've probably done 500,000+ crimps in my time as a heavy equip. mechanic (30+ yrs.) and never had a problem with these pliers. Also very rugged and easy in tight places. my .02

That tool is for non-insulated terminals.

Originally Posted by MacGyverRI

I also dip the bare wire in Dielectric gel before putting the wire terminal on.

Klein Tools, Inc. 1006 Klein terminal crimper | TESSCO

If the right tool is used then there is no need for a dielectric grease as no water is getting past the crimp.
Here's 12 GA crimped with the AMP #59239:



Insulation Cut Away:


Crimp Cut Open (sorry for the tree reflection my flash was at my wife's office):


A closer look and no reflection: