terminal crimpers

[Burdar]

What do you use for large(small numbered gauge) wire?  I've got some 8 gauge wire terminals to crimp so I need a different tool then the ones I normally use for the smaller wire.  I'm looking at two tools.  I see some plusses and minuses to both.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/TEMCo-Battery-Cable-Hammer-Crimper-Wire-Terminal-Welding-Lug-Crimping-Tool/281912922165

The hammer crimper looks like it makes a nice looking crimp but it can't be used "on the car".  It says the smallest wire you can do is 8 gauge.  The larger wire crimps turn out looking good but I'm not sure if the "point" of the tool is really too big for the 8 gauge or if it will really produce a nice looking crimp.  I don't want the terminal end(or butt connectors) to just be smashed flat.

The next crimping tool can be used "on the car" which is a plus.  However, the videos I've watch don't show the nicest looking crimp.  One side of the terminal pushes out the side and looks gaudy.  Maybe the people in the videos are using too small of a die while doing the crimping?(or using the wrong size of terminal) I'll be covering the ends with shrink wrap but the pushed out terminal end would still be seen through the wrap.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Large-Wire-Terminal-Crimping-Tool-6-50mm-Cable-Lug-Crimper-Cu-Al-Terminal-Plier/122857278356?

In this video the crimps look nice.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/TEMCo-Battery-Cable-Hammer-Crimper-Wire-Terminal-Welding-Lug-Crimping-Tool/281912922165

This one, not so much.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RuAg1Ong6lI

[JpRngr]

I would recommend a hydraulic crimping tool like this:

https://www.amazon.com/Hydraulic-Battery-Terminal-Crimper-Crimping/dp/B06XR8BY65/ref=sxin_9?ascsubtag=amzn1.osa.8d0a0631-1757-4736-aba8-1600a0762eca.ATVPDKIKX0DER.en_US&creativeASIN=B06XR8BY65&cv_ct_cx=hydraulic+crimping+tool&cv_ct_id=amzn1.osa.8d0a0631-1757-4736-aba8-1600a0762eca.ATVPDKIKX0DER.en_US&cv_ct_pg=search&cv_ct_we=asin&cv_ct_wn=osp-single-source-earns-comm&dchild=1&keywords=hydraulic+crimping+tool&linkCode=oas&pd_rd_i=B06XR8BY65&pd_rd_r=4723be8b-17cc-4d22-92a8-18c05e710c5d&pd_rd_w=s8EzL&pd_rd_wg=pMZn7&pf_rd_p=4792e5f4-51c6-48ff-b63c-bf99cc3a12e7&pf_rd_r=0J3N8AQCY3Y74KJ5DKP1&qid=1608005085&sr=1-1-64f3a41a-73ca-403a-923c-8152c45485fe&tag=rgonsite-20

It has different dies for the different size wires and you're gonna get a lot more crimping pressure than you will with a mechanical crimper.

[crackedback]

The trick to using that long arm crimper is to NOT crimp is all the way in one orientation.  Crimp part way and rotate the end one flat, do some more and if it will do it on that attempt, keeping it concentric, you're done.  If not turn it back a flat and finish...    it's a pain in the arse!!!!

I use a basic hammer crimper for lots of smaller stuff 2-8ga

For larger stuff I use a hyd crimper and do the same thing as mentioned above, turn it a flat as going with one crimp will sometimes squeeze the end, pinching it.  Looks crappy and puts a stress riser in the end.

For 8ga, use the hammer crimper and be done with it.    If you are going to do a lot of work on 2ga or larger, buy a hyd crimper.   just my 2 cents.

[hanksemenec]

I had to replace battery lugs on my van so I splurged on HFT crimper https://www.harborfreight.com/hydraulic-wire-crimping-tool-66150.html?_br_psugg_q=crimping+tool. Can't complain, it got the job done and it looked good.

[Burdar]

I've never had the need to crimp a large wire before.  I need to crimp some terminal ends and butt connectors onto my 8 gauge alternator bypass wire.  If the hammer crimper will do the job, I'll get that one.  I'm not looking to spend a lot of money and the hammer crimper has good reviews.  I'll just have to take the wiring harness out of the car to make the final crimps.  It has to come out anyway for the car to get painted so it's not a huge deal.  Thanks

[crackedback]

hammer crimper wil do the job.

[moparroy]

I solder all crimps - when I went over the harnesses for my Cuda last summer (on rainy days between body work) I soldered all the connectors - old and new. For the battery cables I bought solder lugs. The heavier wire needs a hot iron - or a micro torch. For me any crimps without solder are just oxidation and bad connections waiting to happen.

[GoodysGotaCuda]

Anything larger than 8ga I simply solder the lugs to the wire using solder and a propane torch. I've never had an issue with this method.