Hydraulic Cable Crimpers - Dirt Cheap !

[CharlieJ]

Took the new crimper on the job today and was pleasantly surprised with its operation especially as I was crimping AWG 4 in the overhead of a commercial fishing boat.

One note of caution: The dies are just plain mis-sized. After some trial and error, I found that I got a very solid crimp on AWG 4 (both boat cable and SAE, both Type 3 and Type 2 stranding; it IS a commercial fishing boat after all ) using closed barrel, tinned ring terminals from Panduit when I used the 2/0 die set. What this means is that there is NO WAY that the dies that come with the crimper will crimp 2/0 without the ring terminal flattening out as shown so well in Christian's post.

For AWG 2 through AWG 8; this is still a heck of a deal.

YMMV.
Charlie

[fishwife]

OMG

[Christian Van H]

Originally Posted by CharlieJ

What this means is that there is NO WAY that the dies that come with the crimper will crimp 2/0 without the ring terminal flattening out as shown so well in Christian's post.

Thanks for the OTJ review Charlie! As for the 2/0 die flattening 2/0 terminals...do you think this is a serious problem? I suppose I could mill one of the smaller die sets, say 12Ga. to be larger...but I didn't sense any REAL damage to the cable or crimp using the supplied 2/0 set. I'd love to hear your thoughts...

[CharlieJ]

I think it is more aesthetics (if you can have aesthetics in electrical crimps ) than of damage, loss of ampacity, etc. As I said earlier; my high dollar 12 ton crimper puts these same "ears" on 4/0 crimps, though not as pronounced.

I was disappointed that the sizing of the dies was so wrong. I agree with your plan to take some of the smaller dies and have a machine shop make them suit terminal sizes that I need.

Best regards,
Charlie

[nitpik]

Christian: - the seller must have read your comment about the great price. He has now re-listed this item, at a higher price.

[FrankZ]

Some people are good at ruining it for everyone else.

[Stillraining]

I find Harbor fright pays attention to these matters and comes out with upgraded units..The Hand crimpers are a case in pint..They originally came equipped with multiple piece dies then switched to a one piece..I think the sizing issue with these will play out the same.

I will be adding one to my tool arsenal as well as the cable cutter soon...Thanks for the find Christian..even if you did jack the price up..

[fishwife]

They are probably selling lots of them and realised they can get a better price

P.

[Christian Van H]

What have I done?!? Here, does this make you feel better? New!!! 8 Ton Hydraulic Wire Cable Crimper Electrical - eBay (item 390167342912 end time Apr-07-10 17:05:15 PDT) It's a buck cheaper then before...

[nitpik]

Thank you Christian - you are forgiven! I just ordered one.

[Christian Van H]

I forgot all about this until now. I emailed the company that makes both the crimper and that neat cable cutter. Here is the reply I received not long after. I dare you to read it without giggling...

Hello Christian Van Horn,

Good morning my friend

Thanks for your inquiry of CPC-16A

Here is the information you care about :

1 Question : Do you have distributor in the USA ?

Our answer : Sorry my friend

At present , We donot have the distributors in the USA

2 Question : Could you let us know the price of CPC-16A ?

Our answer : As you know ,Now It is Chinese New Year Holiday

I donot have the Quotation in hand , Hope you can understand my friend

Quotation will be submitted until Fen 20th 2010

3 Question : Could you help us to do something in China ?

Our answer : Sure my friend

If you have something to do in China ,Welcome here

We try to give you some help

Any other questions ,Welcome here

Best Regards

Chris Paul

Sales Manager

YueQing Vanfo Electric Co.,Ltd

[Sailmonkey]

Originally Posted by Christian Van H

I

3 Question : Could you help us to do something in China ?

Our answer : Sure my friend

If you have something to do in China ,Welcome here

We try to give you some help

What do you need help doing in China???

[Christian Van H]

Originally Posted by Sailmonkey

What do you need help doing in China???

I need help buying a freaking cheap wire cutter! Doesn't look too good right now...

[nitpik]

For battery cable, or stainless rigging wire?

[Stillraining]

They show it cutting rebar..if it will cut that it will cut SS wire rope