I can't crimp...even with a crimping tool

[sumone 10+ year member]

Yeah, I know this is a dumb question for most of you here, but what is the correct way to crimp? Not really the correct way, but how do you crimp? I just picked up some set with a crimping tool and don't know how to crimp. Is where you crimp all the way at the top (above the fulcrum)? This part has wire gauge markings/dots (22-18/red,16-14/blue,12-10/yellow). Or is the crimping part one of those holes (have numbers like 8-32, 10-24, 10-32,etc)?

Also I had bought a separate crimping tool before I got the set; except on this one, at the top it has numbers like 6, 2.5, and 1.5 - for the holes it says m3.5,m4,m5,etc.

For the amp, all types of connectors involved are: butt connectors, spade terminals, ring terminals, and quick disconnects.

This is what I know: 1) strip some insulation from the wire, 2) put the exposed wire in the terminal, 3) crimp

I've searched the forums but you guys use it in that sense too. Also looked it up in dictionary.com and google, but no go. Crimping has to do something with "folding" the connector around the wire, I just don't know how to do it with the tool...

what a dumb question right

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[95RAM 10+ year member]

i know that the holes are used for cutting bolts. on my crimper the crimper is right below the wire cutter(it is labeled). Maybe this helped

 

[mattj 5,000+ posts]

The way I personally crimp is get the exposed wire into the connector, crimp down on one side and get it super tight, crimp the sides closer, then crimp the other side down on top of it.

 

[LSCCEO 10+ year member]

For the type of crimpers you are using, just line up the crimp with the part with the dots. They signify what size crimp you are using (ie red crimp to red dot and blue to blue). However, better crimpers are available in the electrical section of you home supply store (Lowe's, Home Depot) from GB (Garner Bender) that are solid and much easier to crimp with and hurt your hands alot less. They run about $15-$20 and incorporate cable cutters.

 

[iceteebone 5,000+ posts]

try using a vice

 

[sumone 10+ year member]

In what way do I line it up? this is what the crimpers look like: http://www.geocities.com/xxinfamisxx/crimpers.html

 

[iceteebone 5,000+ posts]

those i don't think are made for like 4 gauge wire. i saw crimpers that had handles that were like 3 feet long

 

[LSCCEO 10+ year member]

Put the crimp on the bare wire then take the crimpers on the plastic part of the crimp at a 90 degree angle and squeeze like all hell. (imagine you are choking the crimp around the neck, it always helps me to think about my x girlfriend when using those type of crimpers.)

 

[sumone 10+ year member]

Is the end result that the terminal goes from round to pretty much flat? Like from 'O' to '()'. A[n almost] perfect circle is not the end result?

 

[ss3079 5,000+ posts]

Is the end result that the terminal goes from round to pretty much flat? Like from 'O' to '()'. A[n almost] perfect circle is not the end result?

Yes, you want to hold the wire in there.

For larger wire (>8awg), I use a vice or vice grips. I was bored one day and made a little 2x4 with a metal strip on one of the edges ... I have it so one edge (not flat, pointy edge) sits against the wire just like a crimping tool would and the top is ripped so it's flat with a metal plate on it and you beat it with a hammer and it works fine. Hard to explain but it works, and I was really bored one day.

- Steve

 

[nweibley 10+ year member]

I agree, bigger crimps love bench vices... aint nothin going to get them tighter //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/wink.gif.608e3ea05f1a9f98611af0861652f8fb.gif

 

[mattj 5,000+ posts]

either that or use sharp scissors, or a knife.

 

[sumone 10+ year member]

My amp kit is 8awg so I should be fine with this I guess. I guess I always thought that when you crimped the wire inside the metal circle you put it in, that the end result was just a smaller circle with the wire in it held securely. I've always thought the insulators they put on them are supposed to keep their shape; I guess not - they're meant to be bent out of shape and become flat.

 

[LSCCEO 10+ year member]

Those crimpers do that but higher quality crimps make them a C shape, just putting a dent in the back side of the crimp.

 

[allyourblood 10+ year member]

you are correct; the crimpers will not maintain a perfectly cylindrical or circular shape at the point you're crimping. in fact, a lot of crimps are composed of little rectangular points of contact and only crimp a small portion of the plastic cylinder. so don't worry if it doesn't look pretty. give a gentle tug on the crimp to ensure that the connection is secure, and off you go.

abe m.