Four Considerations for Choosing the Right Crimping Tool

You will never get good connections if you do not know how to shop for crimping tools in San Jose, CA. The market offers many hand and hydraulic crimping tools, and it can be difficult to determine which one works best for your project. Sometimes, it is a matter of quality, but also manufacturer requirements. Here are four considerations for choosing a crimping tool to help you make an informed and correct decision:

• Manufacturer requirements: There is a common theme throughout these considerations. That theme is the manufacturer’s requirements and preferences. Depending on the product, some manufacturers make mere suggestions, while others lay down very specific requirements in service and tools to maintain your warranty. Before you decide on any tools, review these specifications first, and confirm whether they are requirements or suggestions. Otherwise, you risk making an expensive and time-consuming mistake.
• Crimp profile: Crimps are not identical, and one style of product may not work well with your needs. If you want to create a successful connection between wires or material, you must know the gauge. Insulated, non-insulated, open and copper tubes each require different crimp styles, and overlooking that fact leads to failed products. A skilled technician often estimates the needed crimp just by looking at the connectors. However, more refined components require a specific crimp and crimper tool, whether for function purposes or warranties. Again, you can find these specifications in the manufacturer’s documentation and avoid making mistakes.
• Volume and quality: Consider the daily demands of your crimping tools. If you process thousands of products a day, you likely need to consider a hydraulic or pneumatic press. These devices allow for speed, but only for the simplest crimps. Products requiring finesse still require hand crimpers. For high-production hand crimping, choose durable and ergonomic tools. You want workers to remain productive and avoid workers’ compensation claims from repetitive stress injuries. However, if you plan to use a crimper a few times a day, multi-purpose models with swappable dies or economical designs are usually sufficient. You can choose crimpers with ratchets to help quality, or keep with basic models that rely on your employees’ skills.
• Warranties: Many brands require specific crimps created only by their own tools. Using off-brand tools may void the warranty and lead to future losses. Besides crimp styles, brands may require specific certifications for your tools.  Common quality certifications for tools include UL, SAE and MIL, and each one has a different badge. See which of these is required and make sure your purchase fits the bill. Like required crimp profiles, these specifications are also included in the manufacturer’s documentation. In other words, read the manual!

There is no shortage of hydraulic crimping tools at Royal Brass Incorporated in San Jose, CA! Whether you require a hand tool or a hydraulic crimping tool (or its parts), we have what you need to get your job done right. We can also assist with meeting warranty or quality requirements for your products. Call or visit today to make a purchase.

Categorised in: Crimping Tools