I finally compared two crimping tools side by side

I spent last week testing a basic crimper against a nicer ratcheting one on a bundle of D-sub pins. The cheap one crushed 3 pins before I even got the tension right. Has anyone else noticed a big jump in reliability with the ratcheting style?

3 comments

3 Comments

rowanellis29d agoTop Commenter

Four crushed D-sub pins in one session with a cheap crimper here haha. I felt like such a klutz until I realized it was the tool, not my shaky hands. Switched to a ratcheting one from Amazon for like 30 bucks and my success rate jumped to 90% on the first try. The adjustable tension is a total game changer, I can actually get consistent crimps now without guessing. Honestly wish I'd made the swap years ago instead of fighting with the basic one.

vera_campbell29d ago

Nope, it was definitely the tool.

sageross29d ago

My first session with a cheap crimper I crushed 5 out of 10 pins and wanted to throw the whole thing in the trash lol. I picked up a ratcheting one from a local electronics shop for like 35 bucks and it was night and day difference honestly. The adjustable tension dial made it so I could dial in exactly how much squeeze I needed for different gauge wires. I've been using that same tool for two years now and it still works perfect. Way less frustrating than fighting with a basic crimper and guessing if you pressed hard enough.