Jump to content
shizzzon

Hammer crimper vs Hydraulic crimper

Recommended Posts

For 4/0 terminals.. what provides a better, long lasting connection for what it's worth?

 

There is a big price difference here and i'm fine with buying a hydraulic crimper but i hear that a hammer crimper is just fine.

 

But how fine is it?  

 

I will probably be crimping around 250 terminals.

 

What is the more logical choice between the two to purchase?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I dont have any input on 4/0 wire, but I know for my 1/0 I used a friends hydraulic crimper for my first time around, then the 2nd time wiring my Jeep I used a $20 hammer crimper off amazon and both ways were sufficient, couldnt pull the terminals off if I wanted to.

Main difference was the hydraulic crimper was a bit easier to use.

Edited by DanP

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I never used a hammer crimper. I believe that a hydraulic crimper would be easier to use. Price wise the hydraulic crimper maybe more expensive. I think i bought mine at Harbor Freight for ~$20.00. I never had any issues with mine and have had it at used it for years.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

the two i'm looking at is either $110 or $160 for 12ton vs 16ton

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

my hammer crimper has helped me make a few hundred K and I've not one lick of trouble

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

just make sure you get the type from welding supply that is NOT cast steel.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

what should the terminal look like or how many times do you hit it with a normal hammer before it's "secure"?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

no i mean what shoudl the terminal look like to know it's been hammered right?

 

I typically vice my terminals and then punch them afterword.

 

Some of those terminals still got loose which had me leary about using a hammer crimper since the punch n vice were unsuccessful on some of my last batch i did.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

mine is going on 11 years old

 

 

wirecrimper005.jpg

 

wirecrimper003.jpg

 

wirecrimper002.jpg

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

oh damn!

 

Ok, looks good man.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

all you gotta do is beat the shit out of it.  A loooooong time ago I had a customer fuck around with my install and the power wire got wrapped up in the front tire on a f150.  The wire wound up ripping the battery post off the battery.  

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I have a hammer crimper I got mine from Temco on ebay for like $17.00 I like it better than soldering 1/0 with a propane torch. I imagine a hydraulic crimper would be a lot better but it costs more too. 

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I just mushroom stamp them until it's crimped.

BOOMSHAKALAKA.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

i would say that propane and some solder would be alot cheaper.

 

Just come up with a vice mechanism that can hold multiple tips...lol... tips

 

and go down the line..

 

But if your set on a crimper..I have no idea, i just have a big ass hammer called Molly Mall

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I used that exact crimper on my last install. Faster than soldering and it held strong. My dad has had one for 20+ years and swears by it.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I've owned both. I like my hydraulic crimpers a lot. I would definitely send the coin again. I would stay away from the HF ones, they barely fit 1/0. 

 

Hammer crimpers are great on a budget but you can't use them in a car ;)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

On my 4/0 I just used hydraulic crimpers from harbor freight

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Only gripe i have about my 8 ton from HF is the size of the dies supplied with it. using copper 1/0 lugs i had to use the die labeled as 00. Be sure to check how large of a terminal can fit with that 4/0 wire.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

That is going to be a lot of hammering on ~250 pieces. For that large amount personally I would buy a hydraulic crimper.

For smaller amounts like a single build > solder or hammer.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I used my hammer crimper for years and loved it until a few months ago when I smashed my thumb, threw it away after that. Looking to get a hydraulic one soon.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I used my hammer crimper for years and loved it until a few months ago when I smashed my thumb, threw it away after that. Looking to get a hydraulic one soon.

I have one but it sucks on the bigger gauges. Its like they didnt make the dies the right size.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I actually use a framing hammer. That is it.

I have even skipped using an anvil and just hammered against concrete. I had to do it before when making a cable for welding and it worked. It wasn't pretty but 4 men couldn't pull the wire from the terminal so we called it good. I was suprised the copper itself didn't give with that much tension.

Edited by dem beats

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I do have beast mode forearms though.

Well at least my right forearm....

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I used my hammer crimper for years and loved it until a few months ago when I smashed my thumb, threw it away after that. Looking to get a hydraulic one soon.

I have one but it sucks on the bigger gauges. Its like they didnt make the dies the right size.

Sounds like a personal issue, never had an issue with bigger gauges.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

×