http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...unction=Search
JR
Dweller in the cellar
Albert wrote:
I normally use my Craftsman combined plier/cutter/stripper/bolt-cutter/
crimper to crimp the yellow lugs from the home centers for 10-12 gauge
wire. Although a trusty tool, it doesn't crimp very well. Either I
have to squeeze it with both hands (not always possible), or I have to
listen to my joints crack when I squeeze one hand with all my might.
And some of the lugs fall off later on no matter how careful I am. I
wanted a Greenlee 45500 ratcheting crimper but didn't want to spend
$70. I picked up Harbor Freight's version earlier today. Here is my
opinion after about a dozen crimps:
The 93977 crimper is $15 at the store but on sale for $10 on their web
page. As usual, my local store price matched without any hassle. The
tool is made in Taiwan, with excellent fit and finish, and the design
appears durable. The die has three color coded positions for the
yellow, red and blue crimp terminals found at the home centers. The
ratcheting mechanism is smooth and "sounds" well made. If you start
squeezing the handle, you can't stop and open it up until you squeeze
all the way and the ratcheting mechanism releases. This prevents a
partial crimp. Also the ratcheting mechanism does a good job at
"gearing down" the squeezing force, so I don't have to squeeze with
all my might. I can easily and comfortably operate it with one hand.
Once crimped, there are two round depressions all the way around the
lug, unlike the one dimple my other tool produced. The ratcheting
mechanism can be adjusted via a knob. The dies are removable, but
Harbor Freight does not sell individual dies. Greenlee sells vast
numbers of individual dies for their crimper (for lugs, coax
connectors, fiber connectors, network connectors, and other exotic
connectors requiring crimping). I wonder if they will fit.
Overall I think the tool works well and I'm very satisfied so far.
--
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