Crimper manual/hydraulic hex/indent?

davesparks · Jul 10, 2019

As we're getting more and more work with larger supplies requiring crimped lugs I'm looking at buying a bigger crimper instead of hiring. I'm never sure that the hire ones have been looked after properly and woukd rather have something I can trust.

Trouble is I can afford a hydraulic one so are the manual ones up to scratch? I can't see any reason why the wouldn't be but thought I'd see what the vast experience of the forum has to say.
I'm looking at this hex type at the moment:

Then I noticed that the old style indent crimper are still available, I thought they'd fallen out of use years ago for anything but solid cores, are they still a viable option?

Pete999 · Jul 10, 2019

davesparks said:
As we're getting more and more work with larger supplies requiring crimped lugs I'm looking at buying a bigger crimper instead of hiring. I'm never sure that the hire ones have been looked after properly and woukd rather have something I can trust.

Trouble is I can afford a hydraulic one so are the manual ones up to scratch? I can't see any reason why the wouldn't be but thought I'd see what the vast experience of the forum has to say.
I'm looking at this hex type at the moment:
View attachment 50495

Then I noticed that the old style indent crimper are still available, I thought they'd fallen out of use years ago for anything but solid cores, are they still a viable option?

Got an old BICC SET 6mm, 16mm, 25mm, 35mm,50mm, 95mm, 120mm if you want them they are FOC but need collecting from my house let me know.

Andy78 · Jul 10, 2019

I'd always go for hex pattern crimpers.
I bought some that are identical to your picture but they were pretty shoddy. Were about £12 from ebay though

.
The circlips that hold the die axles in fell off in a very short time resulting in the parts coming loose. I only got them for occasional bonding lugs for my domestic work, but still.

Apart from that the action of the design was very good and easy to crimp, so a better quality brand of the same design might be a good shout.

Bobster · Jul 10, 2019

Depends on what size you need an how often. Anything over 150mm can be a real PITA especially in a cramped environment if they are not hydraulic.

Can pick up sets up to 300mm fairly cheap nowadays <300quid. Or look into Petes offer.

I would always use hex crimps for stranded conductors.

Lucien Nunes · Jul 10, 2019

Apart from crimping a few types of terminal that require a dedicated die set, I use two manual tools, one hex, one indent. The hex is a ratchet tool that takes dies from 10 to 120mm. I like it because it's heavily built and smooth to operate. One handle is fixed to the body so in awkward spaces you can park it in position and just push the other one repeatedly until the crimp is complete. The indent tool is adjustable from 10-95mm, single stroke type with 2' long handles.

Both are 25+ years old, can't recall where they came from although newer versions of them are still available from RS / Specialised Wiring Accs. I'm not specifically recommending them over any others, but they have served well

RS PRO Hand Ratcheting Crimp Tool Frame for Tubular Cable Lugs, 6 → 150mm² Wire | RS

uk.rs-online.com

RS PRO Hand Crimp Tool for Tubular Cable Lugs, 10 → 95mm² Wire | RS

uk.rs-online.com

Thankfully mine is not in those hideous colours!

davesparks · Jul 10, 2019

Pete999 said:
Got an old BICC SET 6mm, 16mm, 25mm, 35mm,50mm, 95mm, 120mm if you want them they are FOC but need collecting from my house let me know.

Hi Pete, that is a very kind offer Thankyou, I'll have a look at the logistics and get back to you

davesparks · Jul 10, 2019

Rob [QUOTE="Rob said:
I would always use hex crimps for stranded conductors.

Howcome? I've been reading a few different articles and they all seem to suggest that indent are equally suitable for stranded or fine stranded as hex crimps.
And my own experience is that I've not yet come across either which have failed (apart from where some muppet has fitted oversized lugs)

davesparks · Jul 10, 2019

Lucien Nunes said:
Apart from crimping a few types of terminal that require a dedicated die set, I use two manual tools, one hex, one indent. The hex is a ratchet tool that takes dies from 10 to 120mm. I like it because it's heavily built and smooth to operate. One handle is fixed to the body so in awkward spaces you can park it in position and just push the other one repeatedly until the crimp is complete. The indent tool is adjustable from 10-95mm, single stroke type with 2' long handles.

Both are 25+ years old, can't recall where they came from although newer versions of them are still available from RS / Specialised Wiring Accs. I'm not specifically recommending them over any others, but they have served well

RS PRO Hand Ratcheting Crimp Tool Frame for Tubular Cable Lugs, 6 → 150mm² Wire | RS

uk.rs-online.com

RS PRO Hand Crimp Tool for Tubular Cable Lugs, 10 → 95mm² Wire | RS

uk.rs-online.com

Thankfully mine is not in those hideous colours!

I've looked at the ratchet ones you mention from SWA.
What influences your decision to use hex over indent or the other way around?

Pete999 · Jul 10, 2019

davesparks said:
Hi Pete, that is a very kind offer Thankyou, I'll have a look at the logistics and get back to you

davesparks said:
I've looked at the ratchet ones you mention from SWA.
What influences your decision to use hex over indent or the other way around?

OK Dave they are gathering dust in my Man Cave

Bobster · Jul 10, 2019

davesparks said:
Howcome? I've been reading a few different articles and they all seem to suggest that indent are equally suitable for stranded or fine stranded as hex crimps.
And my own experience is that I've not yet come across either which have failed (apart from where some muppet has fitted oversized lugs)

Personal preference rather than a hard solid fact. I tend to use indents for large Al and solid copper conductors.

I personally feel that the cold weld process is more thorough with an all around hex style crimp.

Crimper manual/hydraulic hex/indent?

davesparks

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Pete999

-

Andy78

-

Bobster

Lucien Nunes

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RS PRO Hand Ratcheting Crimp Tool Frame for Tubular Cable Lugs, 6 → 150mm² Wire | RS

RS PRO Hand Crimp Tool for Tubular Cable Lugs, 10 → 95mm² Wire | RS

davesparks

-

davesparks

-

davesparks

-

RS PRO Hand Ratcheting Crimp Tool Frame for Tubular Cable Lugs, 6 → 150mm² Wire | RS

RS PRO Hand Crimp Tool for Tubular Cable Lugs, 10 → 95mm² Wire | RS

Pete999

-

Bobster

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