Why on Earth is This Crimping Tool $106...?  - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: TheRuler8510
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 21, 2014, 12:51:35 am
content: Why on Earth is This Crimping tool $106...?http://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/TH-450/TH-450-ND/670086Is it worth it?Similar looking Radio Shack crimpers are $9.As usual, I can't find any of the crimpers I own, so it is time to buy yet another one. One day I'll find a box with 17 crimpers in it. So now it's time to get a more professional one, but sheesh!

author: ChrisW
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: July 21, 2014, 01:03:22 am
content: It is simple really, buy 500 of them and you can get one for $81.30

author: PeterG
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 21, 2014, 01:04:43 am
content: There is no way on earth i would pay that much for that style of crimper.Regards

author: Paul Moir
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 21, 2014, 01:05:12 am
content: It's because it's one of the three tools you can use on a 3M brand crimp ring for UL or CSA approval.Vendor lockin baby!

author: N2IXK
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 21, 2014, 01:27:29 am
content: ^This.Same deal for other manufacturers, as well. Panduit, Thomas and Betts, and AMP all sell similarly overpriced tooling for their lines of generic insulated crimp terminals. But if you need to get that UL/CSA/NRTL/NEC/ISO/DoD approval, that's what you need to be using to crimp those terminals on. The terminals only meet UL requirements when installed strictly in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions, which (naturally) call for their own tooling to be used.Yes, you can buy a decent controlled-cycle ratcheting crimper from an aftermarket supplier for less than this POS. But then you have to hope that the inspector doesn't see it.

author: marshallh
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 21, 2014, 02:01:45 am
content: Because if you're using those in a production facility that extra cost pays for itself very, very quickly as they will hold up much better than most China trashGood tools are expensive and very much worth having.

author: Legit-Design
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 21, 2014, 02:13:03 am
content: Why would you pay top money for a genuine fluke when simple 10$ multimeter will do the same job? (rhetorical question)

author: deth502
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 21, 2014, 02:15:10 am
content: just a guess, could be wrong, but under the specs it says std package is qty 10. i think the "1" qty for $108 is for 1 package of 10 units.

author: c4757p
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 21, 2014, 02:22:51 am
content: Nope, that just means DigiKey receives them in packages of ten. You still get one.

author: deth502
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 21, 2014, 02:36:56 am
content: http://www.harborfreight.com/9-1-2-half-inch-wire-crimping-tool-36411.htmlandhttp://www.harborfreight.com/7-in-wire-stripper-with-cutter-61158.htmlok, id probably get a better stripper than the harbor freight one, but i would not touch one of those shitty stamped sheet metal crimpers for free, let alone over $100. get one of those crimpers ^^^ for $8 from hf, or a better one from $20-30 elsewhere. you will not regret it. it makes the crimped ends STAY ON.

author: Smokey
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 21, 2014, 02:43:47 am
content: $100 is an absolute steal for a name brand crimper.This is one of the most expensive I've seen so far...TE/AMP 69656-2http://www.te.com/catalog/pn/en/69656-2New from Mouser.. In 1s it's.... $14,967.50USD ...with a 15 week leadtime.http://ca.mouser.com/ProductDetail/TE-Connectivity/69656-2/?qs=%2fha2pyFaduj2J%2fe%252b94DCn0ClwRFi6jrdHbKEtWcRVTk%3dOr you can pick it up from ebay for the low low price of..... US $4,999.99...http://www.ebay.com/itm/TE-AMP-69656-2-Crimper-Contact-Crimp-Hand-Tool-STR-ACT-DAHT-Coaxicon-/131234676328?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1e8e323e68

author: TheRuler8510
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 21, 2014, 02:50:19 am
content: Here's the same model on ebay for $49.http://www.ebay.com/itm/3M-TH-450-Tool-Crimping-Cutter-/221489707431?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3391d0b9a7Is this a Chinese counterfeit?

author: miguelvp
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 21, 2014, 06:51:55 am
content: Quote from: TheRuler8510 on July 21, 2014, 02:50:19 amDon't know but:California Prop 65 Orange LabelThis product contains a chemical known to the State of California to cause birth defects or other reproductive harm.California Prop 65 White LabelThis product contains a chemical known to the State of California to cause cancer.So crimping can leave you childless and with cancer

author: rob77
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 21, 2014, 10:47:24 am
content: actually it's very simple - usually those freaking expensive tools last much much longer.so if you make 10 crimped joints a year - you can get along with the $10 Chinese crap tool which will last couple of years for you.but if you make 100 joints a day - then the $10 tool will be most probably destroyed in a day - so the $100 one which will last much longer is in fact cheaper at the end of the day

author: Mechatrommer
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 21, 2014, 11:04:39 am
content: picture worth a thousand words. but few words it cannot describes such as "strength of material" and "quality of assembly/finishing/tolerance". ymmv.

author: rob77
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 21, 2014, 11:13:33 am
content: Quote from: Mechatrommer on July 21, 2014, 11:04:39 amsure it can't. but the branded tools are much better quality (better material, tolerance...etc...), so one could always assume that the branded tool is better than the Chinese replica. those cheap tools are cheap for a reason - e.g. crappy soft steel (or even just iron) instead of tool steel ..etc..

author: KJDS
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 21, 2014, 11:29:14 am
content: Quote from: miguelvp on July 21, 2014, 06:51:55 amIt's not to difficult to work out how crimping could leave you unable to breed

author: nuhamind2
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 21, 2014, 11:34:04 am
content: Audiophile grade crimping tool.

author: TerraHertz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 21, 2014, 12:53:56 pm
content: Expensive crimpers you say?http://www.specialized.net/Specialized/hydraulic-crimper-Burndy-battery-crimper-9182.aspx?Brands=Thomas+%26+BettsQuote from: TheRuler8510 on July 21, 2014, 12:51:35 amKnow that feeling. I had a high quality pair of coax ferrule crimpers, then could not find them anywhere. Bought new pair. Literally years later, found the original pair fallen down behind a cupboard.As for tape measures.... I tried just buying lots of them. Nope, still can rarely lay my hand on one when needed. They seem to have some kind of statistical reverse entropic process, in which they all end up in one hiding spot which I'm not aware of. Then when I'm not looking for one they all turn up at once.

author: SeanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 21, 2014, 04:35:33 pm
content: I know that feeling. I am looking for the 14mm hex allen socket, as I am this week a fitter, and have to dismantle multi ton pieces to fix them . Can't find it, so tomorrow will go and buy a new one ( tool store just down the street for me, they love me) to undo the M16 hex bolts on the bearing. Then hope the chain block will keep the half ton of metal balanced while I undo big pieces to get clearance. Then off to the engineering shop to get the repair parts and bring in the coded welder to put the kit back together. I am not that good a welder, and do not have a TIG welder in any case to weld the stainless steel parts. It will be a lot thicker though when I am finished, along with being better aligned.

author: mikeselectricstuff
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 21, 2014, 05:12:53 pm
content: Quote from: Paul Moir on July 21, 2014, 01:05:12 amI can't beleive anyone would approve anything crimped by a piece of junk like that - a ratchet style is essential to guarantee the correct amount of crimp.

author: retrolefty
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 21, 2014, 06:07:02 pm
content: Quote from: miguelvp on July 21, 2014, 06:51:55 amNo, just a stupid California law that stipulated lowest threshold safety level on so many products/chemicals that nearly every store you go into has it displayed in it's entry way. As such the public has learned to ignore it so it has no effect in the long run on buyer behavior.

author: Paul Moir
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 21, 2014, 06:29:56 pm
content: Quote from: mikeselectricstuff on July 21, 2014, 05:12:53 pmOh I couldn't agree more. But the TR-490 is a little spendy at over $300:http://www.digikey.ca/product-detail/en/TR-490/TR-490-ND/670087The TH-440 is your only other option for $98http://www.digikey.ca/product-detail/en/TH-440/920099-R-ND/31400If you're crimping over 100 connectors a day one of these unreliable crimpers, you must be a masochist. And any idiot with a punch press can make these things accurately all day for $15 a pair including heat treat. We're not talking about a John Neeman axe or Hardinge lathe here. It's like a 5 or 6 step operation to make.

author: Alexei.Polkhanov
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 21, 2014, 07:55:26 pm
content: Quote from: nuhamind2 on July 21, 2014, 11:34:04 amExactly! And you need two - one for each direction of electrons!

author: deth502
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 21, 2014, 08:33:43 pm
content: Quote from: miguelvp on July 21, 2014, 06:51:55 amlike big daddy kane used to say, crimpin' aint easy.

author: German_EE
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 21, 2014, 08:50:42 pm
content: If you can find it look at the NASA specification for crimped connections. They specify which tool should be used, which connectors should be used, how much force should be applied, which tool should be used to strip the wire, how far the insulation should be stripped back (and God forgive you if you nick either the conductor or the insulation), how far the wire should go inside the terminal and there are many many photographs of crimped connections showing good and bad examples.When the Apollo Command Module was orbiting the moon they had to fire the engine to get out of lunar orbit. If the connection to that firing button had failed due to a badly crimped connection the astronauts would still be there, in orbit, dead, in an airless dark capsule.Any questions?

author: Precipice
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 21, 2014, 09:28:38 pm
content: There's also very often the pull test force that the crimped connector has to tolerate. That's a habit that's worth getting into, even with an uncalibrated hand.

author: thm_w
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 21, 2014, 10:23:58 pm
content: This one looks close enoughhttp://www.digikey.ca/product-detail/en/PA1308/PA1308-ND/461379But if you are cheap the molex equivalent stamped part is $10.

author: N2IXK
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 21, 2014, 11:07:10 pm
content: I have had nothing but good results from my Paladin PA-8000 crimp tool. The bare tool costs about $70USD, with die sets about $30 each. I have die sets on hand for the standard Red/Blue/Yellow insulated terminals, RJ45 plugs, and several types of coaxial RF plugs that I use regularly. There are a LOT of different die sets available:http://www.lashenelectronics.com/p-1370-paladin-die-sets-for-crimpall8000-1300-series.aspxI can guarantee that it does a better, more repeatable job than the one the OP was referring to, at about the same price.

author: Smokey
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 22, 2014, 12:34:33 am
content: Quote from: N2IXK on July 21, 2014, 11:07:10 pm+1 what he said. Those are good crimpers.

author: TheRuler8510
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 22, 2014, 04:40:34 am
content: Quote from: N2IXK on July 21, 2014, 11:07:10 pmNice tool; thanks for sharing that info.

author: TerraHertz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 22, 2014, 06:54:06 am
content: At the opposite end of the value for money scale from OP's example rip-off, is how cheap nice Chinese hydraulic crimp tools are these days. For about the same price ($100 or less) you can get really beefy crimpers, hole punches, etc.The mention of 'box of lost crimpers' made me wonder how many crimpers do I have anyway? They are scattered around in different places; I don't think I'd ever gathered them all for a crimper conference before. And so... pic.The two hydraulic crimpers are at right rear. The smaller of those did the crimping of stainless steel cable ferrules in the 2nd pic.The thing at rear left isn't really a crimper, it's a hydraulic hole punch. Boy, does it make big round holes in sheet metal easy.Blue handled thing at center is a bootlace crimper - the most recent acquisition. I wish I'd bought one of these many years ago - it makes _such_ a difference to wiring between screw terminals. I love it.It came fromhttp://www.rhinotools.com.au/,remarkably cheap and seems to be great quality. The guy gave me several excess boxes of assorted packs of bootlace ferules for free, which was nice.The orange handled pair front center is the one I thought I'd lost. The green handled pair was its replacement.I still don't have a proper cat-5 terminal punch-down tool.

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 22, 2014, 08:56:10 am
content: Quote from: marshallh on July 21, 2014, 02:01:45 amI couldn't agree more! A good crimp connection requires good tools.

author: amyk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 22, 2014, 09:29:32 am
content: Quote from: Smokey on July 21, 2014, 02:43:47 amTwo years ago one of those sold foronly $155... and amusingly enoughthere exists a video of someone playing with one.

author: Refrigerator
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 22, 2014, 10:15:40 am
content: Omg, what are those, Crimps By Dr.Dre. geez.

author: Smokey
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 22, 2014, 05:38:10 pm
content: QuoteI bet all 42 hits on that youtube video came from your link here

author: ConKbot
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 24, 2014, 04:47:31 am
content: Jeeze, for a bit more just gethttp://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/TE-Connectivity/58433-3/?qs=sGAEpiMZZMtyU1cDF2RqUOikTCf3ZemLhcyZju4yF%252bk%3dand have a nice ratcheting crimper. UL/everything rated with TE pidg terminals, and puts everything else on great.