Crimping tools for bullet connectors

[The Angry Gopher]

Hi,

I've just bought some female bullet connectors for an ongoing motorcycle project, to fit the bullet connectors on a set of aftermarket indicators.

Question is, do I need to purchase a specialist crimping tool (they're quite expensive), or would any other tool suffice such as modified pliers or another crimping tool (like cheap home electrical crimpers)?

Thanks in advance,
TAG

[Faust66]

I normally use a cheap crimping tool when doing any electrical work with bullet or male/female spade connectorss.

As long as you give it a good hard squeeze (steady!) you should be OK.

I keep meaning to get a proper ratchet type tool to make my life a bit easier, but as I've been using the generic cheap type for years with no drawbacks... I've saved my cash so far!

Be warned that the wire cutters on the cheap tools are not the best though.

[maniac0796]

The difference between cheap crimpers and ratchet crimpers is quite amazing, especially if the wires are somewhere they're gonna get knock about. Never had any problem with ratchet ones, but cheap ones just seem to fall apart.

[tr7v8]

Use solderable ones if you don't want to buy full cycle ratchet crimpers. I find the stamped metal crimpers fairly unreliable. Even with proper crimpers I still get failures. Soldering tends to be less fussy about matching cable size to connectors.

[The Angry Gopher]

Thanks for the advice, much appreciated. Considering the amount of use I'll get i think I'll try a cheap set, backed up solderable connectors for now.

Cheers

[Rockatansky]

I just bought this set from Euro Car Parts:

http://www.eurocarparts.com/ecp/p/tools/car-mechan...

Seems like a bargain for £23 delivered!

[mrmr96]

Ratched ones are worth getting for sure. They make sure that the crimp is solid, so long as the wire is inserted in the right place into the connector before you crimp.

[anonymous-user]

I've never found the quality of the tool to be an issue, although cheap ones fall apart they do an acceptable job while they last, to me the issue is the quality of the conector some of the cheap ones are made of real thin rubbish alloy and wont stay on what ever tool you use.

[Oldred_V8S]

Solder is the way to go, every time.

[ian_uk1975]

Never had an issue with cheap crimpers... bought mine from a local 'cheap shop' for about £2. They work fine, but you just have to be a bit careful how much force you use to crimp as it's easy to cut through the insulation on insulated connecters.