THIS TOOL WILL HELP metal workers and if you WORK WITH WIRE crimper BEVEL MAKER

**diy creative crafts** · Feb 13, 2022, 08:50 AM

**Paul Alciatore** · Feb 20, 2022, 06:57 PM

Having worked in electronics for over 45 years and having crimped literally tens of thousands, probably hundreds of thousands of connectors, I VERY STRONGLY recommend AGAINST any home-made or shop-made tooling for any of them.

No matter how well you say you can do the job with such a tool, there are bound to be some that are under-closed and others that are over-closed. This leads to corrosion in the one case and weakening of the wire in the other. Either of these conditions produces an unreliable joint which is a ticking time bomb in whatever item it is part of.

In addition to all the installations of crimps I mentioned above, I have had to replace thousands of failing ones due to bad crimps. YES, THEY DO FAIL. FREQUENTLY!

**Saltfever** · Sep 23, 2024, 04:01 PM

Hi Paul and sorry I'm so late in coming to this party. I appreciate your warning and I'm in sync with your premise of making a quality crimp. I'm sure any professional tool has been tested and test results confirm application quality. However, there are so many variables in cable design I'm wondering how, in your experience, you compensate for all the difference you encounter in the field. As a non-"electrical" person I'm bewildered by the all possibilities to make a wrong application.

**Sleykin** · Jan 25, 2025, 08:35 PM

I was an electronics tech for 36+ years. I installed and maintained NAV/RAD/COM equipment the whole time. I absolutely hated crimps. I was required to use crimps on many of the com stuff. Frequently a problem. I did use swaging tools on large solid connectors. For large, stranded wire, I us solder and maybe a crimp to start. For automotive type wiring I do use crimps with a properly adjusted ratcheting crimper. Marine grade heat shrink tube goes over the connections if they are outside things.
Be careful with RTV around electrical connections. Most RTV has acetic acid in it that outgasses as it dries. This will cause corrosion inside the connections. There is a special RTV made for electronics, and it will say safe for electronics.
Sorry I am so late to the party LOL