Wire Stripper/Crimper

[CWorley]

Could you guys give me some recommendations for a good wire stripper/crimper?

I'm more concerned about quality and versatility than price.

Thanks!

[Unstupid]

What kind of wire and what kind of connectors are you looking at crimping?

[Dawgz Rule]

If you are looking quality than price I would recommend one of each. 

This style of wire stripper works great:

http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/IDEAL-Wire-Stripper-5LJ02?cm_sp=IO-_-IDP-_-RR_VTV70300505&cm_vc=IDPRRZ1

Crimper would depend on what you want to crimp but in general, a ratcheting crimper is always nice.  I have one that is specific to electrical lugs and is color coded accordingly.  Perfect crimps each and every time.  I also have a different crimper for coax and network/phone. 

[Nephasth]

I'm not a huge fan of the combination tools, but if you're wanting a combination wire stripper/crimper, I would recommend this style:


I absolutely hate this style of stripper/crimper:


I use this style stripper myself:


Any more, I find myself crimping terminal pins 95% of the time and use ratcheting crimpers:


When I need to crimp crush type connectors (butt splices and such), I use my crimpers like what's in the second pic (I hate them, mostly because the strippers suck in them, but I got them in a basic mechanic set). I prefer having the strippers at the end of the tool, and crimpers inside the handles if using a combination type (but I don't own a set like this myself).

[CheffoJeffo]

I agree with Neph's choice (the ones that he made for himself), although I still use the original one that he hates. 

[Franco B]

There is some good info on crimping tools/crimping in [this] thread.

I use this type of stripper for 98% of the wires I strip. You can get cheap variants of these but the decent ones wrk really well. There is an adjustable depth stop and they are auto adjusting from 0.2-6mm^2



[US Link] [UK Link]

I also sometimes use this type of stripper where length is at a premium and the others can not be used or for 'thinning down' strands.

[CWorley]

Thanks for all the info guys!

What kind of wire and what kind of connectors are you looking at crimping?

I'd like them for stripping wire anywhere from 14-20 AWG and for crimping quick disconnects and molex pins.

[Sparkolicious]

I use this type of stripper for 98% of the wires I strip. You can get cheap variants of these but the decent ones wrk really well. There is an adjustable depth stop and they are auto adjusting from 0.2-6mm^2

  Once you use one, you will toss everything else out.

[CWorley]

Ok, what about if you want a single tool for stripping and another tool for crimping?  What are the two that you would recommend?

[RandyT]

Ok, what about if you want a single tool for stripping and another tool for crimping?  What are the two that you would recommend?

The last two photos in Nephasth's post above.  Just keep in mind that the strippers come in two ranges of hole sizes.  If working with electronics, the smaller one seems to cover the more oft used sizes of wire.

[CWorley]

You guys are the best.  Thanks!

[ahofle]

Any more, I find myself crimping terminal pins 95% of the time and use ratcheting crimpers:

I have that same crimper from Harbor Freight and hate it.  There are two separate thin pieces of metal for the jaws and it didn't crimp tight enough (the red/yellow/blue spacing seemed too big).  I ended up borrowing a ratcheting crimper like this from a friend.  The jaws are a solid hunk of metal and the crimps are much tighter -- it worked 1000 times better for me:


http://www.amazon.com/Klein-T1715-Full-Cycle-Ratcheting-Crimper-Insulated/dp/B0002RIA4E

There are cheaper versions too (not sure how good they would be, but I imagine they would be very similar):

http://www.amazon.com/Master-Appliance-35084-Ratcheting-Crimper/dp/B001W2285K

[Nephasth]

Any more, I find myself crimping terminal pins 95% of the time and use ratcheting crimpers:

I have that same crimper from Harbor Freight and hate it.  There are two separate thin pieces of metal for the jaws and it didn't crimp tight enough (the red/yellow/blue spacing seemed too big).  I ended up borrowing a ratcheting crimper like this from a friend.  The jaws are a solid hunk of metal and the crimps are much tighter -- it worked 1000 times better for me...

The jaws are designed to swap out die sets (which are solid metal). It sounds like you may have been misusing them. Trying to crimp connectors on too small of wire gauge maybe (the red connectors are only designed for 18-22 gauge wire and don't really crimp properly on smaller gauge wire). Once one die meets up to the other die, it can't go any further/tighter. The dies are designed to provide x amount of crimping force on the connector/pin. I don't use the dies pictured, but I've never experienced an improper crimp when using the dies I do have.

[ahofle]

They were used on 22 gauge wire and non-insulated .187 quick disconnects. I guess they don't work well with non-insulated?  The 18-22 gauge 'red' setting on the harbor freight crimper had visibly more space when closed than the same 'red' setting on the other crimper I used.  

EDIT:
Here's the one I used.
http://www.harborfreight.com/ratcheting-crimping-tool-97420.html
According to the description it should have worked on both insulated and non-insulated terminals.  So, if I was 'misusing' them then I'm sure others around here would be too, since .187 are pretty standard for arcade use.

[Mysterioii]

I use this type of stripper for 98% of the wires I strip. You can get cheap variants of these but the decent ones wrk really well. There is an adjustable depth stop and they are auto adjusting from 0.2-6mm^2

  Once you use one, you will toss everything else out.

Agreed.  I have one just like it, works fantastic.

[WareWolF]

A little google search finds the JT&T sripper much cheaper.

http://www.frys.com/product/3256901?source=googleps