Source of electrical wiring tools

as an electrician,i can vouch for klein.no one in the trades uses craftsman,or lowes,or h.d. you get what you pay for

This thread went from "Source of electrical wiring tools " to Crimping 101

I buy tools at my local electrical supply house, amazon, ebay, pawn shops, ace hardware, Grainger, Newark, whoever has the best tools for the best price..

than think the most expensive tool and crimp will always produce timeless results.

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. They certainly increase your odds vastly. Technique counts too, then you can have timeless results. As for whether you should regularly inspect your boat's wiring and other systems, I completely agree.

As far as the thread being about sourcing rather than crimping, the first issue is what to buy, then where to buy it.

I left out Del City as an excellent source of tools and cable.

Electro said:

This thread went from "Source of electrical wiring tools " to Crimping 101

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The OP (me) has no problem with that. I got the info that I asked for, but the additional wisdom is always welcome too. Don't say as I necessarily agree with each and every detail, but picking and choosing from conflicting ideas is part of the game.

jwnall said:

The OP (me) has no problem with that. I got the info that I asked for, but the additional wisdom is always welcome too. Don't say as I necessarily agree with each and every detail, but picking and choosing from conflicting ideas is part of the game.

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True enough

Crimping 101 might make a great thread thats all I was getting at

tinped said:

as an electrician,i can vouch for klein.no one in the trades uses craftsman,or lowes,or h.d. you get what you pay for

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What kind of electrician? For the purposes of this thread, I was thinking more of electricians who deal a lot more in cable termination and connections. My best friend is a master residential and light commercial electrician for the past 30 years and he does 90%+ of his work with a pair of needle nose pliers with built in dikes and a screwdriver. Someone asked him to do some boat work once and he said "no way"! Likewise doing complex networking stuff.

I know you didn't ask me but hey why not
I started in resi/ commercial/ industrial land work. I have been working on ships dealing with power generation, AC/DC, navigation equipment ,Dynamic Positioning 2, pumps , motors, VFD's, transformers, inverters, UPS's, thruster drive cabinets, low voltage, cranes, top drive drilling units, galley/ laundry, all of it..... I but you $100 bucks that you bud with the needle nose has used klein linesman's at some point.
I also hold a Journeyman Master license in 3 states

I don't think its what one was taught with and what they deal with. I have 2 shops on my ship and enough tools to fill a dump truck not including the spare parts

tinped said:

as an electrician,i can vouch for klein.no one in the trades uses craftsman,or lowes,or h.d. you get what you pay for

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If you use hand tools on a daily basis to earn your keep, you soon learn the difference between cheap tools and "professional" tools. Pick up a pair of Kleins, then put them down and pick up a pair of Harbor Freight lineman's pliers. Other than looks, there's no comparison. The Kleins will last a lifetime unless you cut through a hot cable with them. That's the only way to hurt them.

Electro said:

Crimping 101 might make a great thread thats all I was getting at

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Or crimping vs. soldering.

rwidman said:

Or crimping vs. soldering.

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In case anyone was puzzled by this comment, in general soldering is discouraged in boat wiring for a variety of reasons (except for battery terminations). This is a good write up http://www.marinewireandcable.com/2013/11/crimping-vs-soldering-marine-cable-and.html?m=1

"The Kleins will last a lifetime unless you cut through a hot cable with them. That's the only way to hurt them"

That's when they turn into combo linemans/strippers!

refugio said:

I've also tried a variety of shrinking methods and strongly prefer a 120Vac heat gun. Have to plug it in, takes a while to heat and cool, but provides the most controllable results. I do keep one if the little gas pistols around for "emergencies".

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FWIW ... based on the suggestion, I have tried and used 120Vac heat gun with success. It works well within its restrictions: power supply, size/weight, room, etc.

I have also ordered yet another gas pistol to try ... http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000BHNYIW/ ... and it did surprise me.

It is a self contained unit, with own integrated butane tank instead of some cheap lighter. Looks and feels solid, and it comes with hot air tip and flame control that produces very precise and focused stream of hot air. Never my heat shrinked connections looked so good, all air bubbles are gone and my fingers were not burned. Recommended.

Happy New Year!

Bumping this for an update on source/brand for dykes, crimpers and strippers.

Suggestions?

Thanks in advance!

Osprey69 said:

Happy New Year!

Bumping this for an update on source/brand for dykes, crimpers and strippers.

Suggestions?

Thanks in advance!

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I am happy with these Irwin's. Also have their dykes
https://www.agrisales-inc.com/irwin...EGV_lhRM9Ll5aIMxkgWliBSeFBR5jzmBoCFAsQAvD_BwE

Klein high leverage and diagonal cutters. The high leverage have curved blades and don't flatten the wire ends as much, easier to get into crimp connectors. Available at home depot, amazon, grainger, platt.


Ancor ratcheting crimper. Perfect for ancor heat shrink crimp fittings. Amazon, west marine, fisheries supply.


Ancor wire stripper. Not heavy duty but seem to hold up well. Amazon, west marine, fisheries supply.

For small wires, let say up to awg14 or so, I was given these type of cutting pliers. At first sight was thinking these were junk, but they are excellent, razor sharp and love them (and they are cheap).



L

The best I have seen in a long time comes from a company called Wirefi. They have a set of ratcheting crimpers with 11 ea ball detent swappable die sets with strippers all in a convenient case. They even have a die set for 90deg “flag” terminals for spade lugs. Also have dies specifically for heat shrink marine connectors.
Crimper:
https://www.amazon.com/Wirefy-Crimp...ated/dp/B092MRZ5JK?ref_=ast_sto_dp&th=1&psc=1

Marine shrink crimp connectors:

https://www.amazon.com/Wirefy-Heat-Shrink-Wire-Connectors/dp/B07124B886?ref_=ast_sto_dp&th=1&psc=1

I have the set above and their heat shrink crimp set both of which are great quality. The heat shrink connectors do not get damaged in the crimper like most crimpers do.

J. Landin said:

The best I have seen in a long time comes from a company called Wirefi.

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When I started trying Chinese wiring stuff I bought a cross section of various brands to try. Wirefi has been fantastic in just about everything. The quality is pretty good.

Still Klein for hand tools. Get a DC Clamp-on Ammeter that also does DVM functions.

Cheap tools are better than no tools. Good tools are better than cheap tools. I do a lot of wire stripping and crimping, for those purposes I use very expensive Thomas&Betts tools. I do not work with much Cat5 or coax, I do have all the correct crimp tools, they are just very inexpensive ones.

Much thanks to all!

Have a Happy and Safe New Year!