landmannnn Posted September 2, 2007 Share Posted September 2, 2007 Hi all, I would find a crimp tool for battery cable terminals well useful. (The non crimp terminals that can be bought from motor factors etc aren't very successful) I have seen these for £120 or so but don't really want to spend that much. Does anyone know who would sell them a bit cheaper? Alternatively has anyone made one up? I was thinking perhaps a cheapo set of bolt croppers could be modified to do the same job.. Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LandyManLuke Posted September 2, 2007 Share Posted September 2, 2007 I made a tool to crimp cables, that fits in my vice. it works very well. it'd be easy to make if you have access to a welder, didn't take very long. The proper tools do a neater job, if you've only a few crimps to do it is worthwhile trying to find a friendly local garage or auto-sparky who will do them for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Superpants Posted September 2, 2007 Share Posted September 2, 2007 The best retail price of large crimp tools I have seen are those from Davico; Davico You may be lucky with a local vehicle electrical factors if you can get a trade discount?? They do turn up on Ebay from time to time at more sensible prices, Mark got one through there. I picked mine up for £15 from the Guildford model engineering show (A real bargain as it was practically unused), so they do crop up secondhand! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulMc Posted September 2, 2007 Share Posted September 2, 2007 I bought a crimping tool and dies from a German seller called 'Rocking.George' on eBay, here are his current listings - http://search.ebay.co.uk/_W0QQsassZrocking.george He sells three types, 4 to 70mm2, 16 to 240mm2 and 10 to 300mm2 I bought the 4 to 70mm2 kit (which he doesn't currently have on sale), the details are - Hydraulic crimping tool for cable sizes from 4-70 mm² Heavy duty version, pressure 8 tons, see picture! For electrical cables copper or aluminium compression terminal joints Best quality, see my feedbacks! 14 days money back guarantee! Pressure 8 tons. This tool is new, absolutely ok and delivered in a solid plastic box. Specification Designed for aluminium or copper compression joints, size 4-70mm² Max Working Pressure: 8 Tons Max Working Stroke: 22mm Plastic Box size: 300mm x 170mm x 80mm Weight 8kg Included dies: 4, 6, 8, 10, 16, 25, 35, 50 and 70mm² Rotational Head for easy handling Also included is a set of new seals just in case the originals were to leak. It's Chinese made, but it does the job. I'm really pleased with it. Paul. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simonr Posted September 3, 2007 Share Posted September 3, 2007 I bought these: Vehicle Wiring Products The handles are a bit short for 35mm and up - but perfectly possible. Makes a nice neat job and not too spendy! Si Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark90 Posted September 3, 2007 Share Posted September 3, 2007 I have the same tool as Si But don't find any problem doing 40-50mm2, so stop being such a big girls blouse Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted September 3, 2007 Share Posted September 3, 2007 I bought these: Vehicle Wiring Products The handles are a bit short for 35mm and up - but perfectly possible. Makes a nice neat job and not too spendy! Si I have a very expensive version of the ones above (probably the original design on which these were based), whilst dirtydiesel has the ones above also from VWP I find that you need two people or something to lean the opposite handle into for 70mm2 cable, but I can just manage 60mm2 by myself The pivot at the handle is showing wear on mine having now done around 60 crimps on 70mm2, the nut becomes slack and the bolt forces washers to dome and eventually push past its head To be fair, they are only intened for use on 50mm2 max so I am pushing them a bit far Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
istruggle2gate11 Posted September 3, 2007 Share Posted September 3, 2007 I find that you need two people or something to lean the opposite handle into for 70mm2 cable, but I can just manage 60mm2 by myself Perhaps this fellow could help you out? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted September 3, 2007 Share Posted September 3, 2007 Cheers Rog, we're not all 18 stone and built like Bathtub though The photo above is a fairly accurate representation of my physique aside from the haircut Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Troddenmasses Posted September 3, 2007 Share Posted September 3, 2007 The handles are a bit short for 35mm and up - but perfectly possible You know that the handles are too short, when you have to put the whole thing into the vice, and squeeze the handles together by closing the vice. Me - I would never do such a cowboy type thing.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snatchblocker Posted September 3, 2007 Share Posted September 3, 2007 Hi all,I would find a crimp tool for battery cable terminals well useful. (The non crimp terminals that can be bought from motor factors etc aren't very successful) I have seen these for £120 or so but don't really want to spend that much. Does anyone know who would sell them a bit cheaper? Alternatively has anyone made one up? I was thinking perhaps a cheapo set of bolt croppers could be modified to do the same job.. Mike Have you tried RS? rswww.com warning, you could spend days in their catalogue Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kkk2 Posted September 3, 2007 Share Posted September 3, 2007 This is a bit bodgy but works a treat, we bought a cheap bolt cutters in Lidl and shaped out the blades to crimp 50 square cable works every time and for about 10 euro Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
white90 Posted September 3, 2007 Share Posted September 3, 2007 http://forums.lr4x4.com/index.php?showtopic=4792 still functioning within design parameters Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike4444244 Posted September 4, 2007 Share Posted September 4, 2007 you mean you're not supposed to use the chassis leg and a lump hammer? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Petergg Posted September 6, 2007 Share Posted September 6, 2007 I use Cablecraft very fast and good price's. Peter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
landybehr Posted September 6, 2007 Share Posted September 6, 2007 I usually compress the boot in a vice, then take heat (blowtorch) and solder. Wire size is no problem that way. I do not feel vibration is an issue. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
landmannnn Posted September 6, 2007 Author Share Posted September 6, 2007 So I learn't something new then from the cablecraft link, there are two types of crimp (ignoring the hammer/plier methods): Hex crimp - squeezes a hexagonal crimp onto the tube part of the lug Indent crimp - shoves a dent into the tube I guess both work, the hex crimp looks a bit more professional but the tools are more pricey.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
istruggle2gate11 Posted September 6, 2007 Share Posted September 6, 2007 This is a bit bodgy but works a treat, we bought a cheap bolt cutters in Lidl and shaped out the blades to crimp 50 square cable works every time and for about 10 euro I like that solution, with a bit of care some knackered bolt croppers could have a life again. you mean you're not supposed to use the chassis leg and a lump hammer? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Spot Posted September 21, 2007 Share Posted September 21, 2007 If you buy your cable luggs from City Electrical Factors (cheap) most of the branches do a very cheap hire on lugging pliers that do up to 95mm. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pugwash Posted September 21, 2007 Share Posted September 21, 2007 sheers for chopping off hooves and horns work pretty well- Mole valley flogs them for not much money! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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