Forum Discussion
- FishermanExplorerWell that's quite the crimper, set up a little crimper station in the campground and recover your expenses.
- theoldwizard1Explorer IIThose TEMco crimper make very nice crimps, but the cheap hammer/anvil crimp tools are not bad.
- goducks10Explorer
theoldwizard1 wrote:
Those TEMco crimper make very nice crimps, but the cheap hammer/anvil crimp tools are not bad.
x2. - RobWNYExplorerVery nice Crimper. I couldn't help notice it costs as much as a battery.
- BurbManExplorer IILet me know if you're taking orders!
- rickeoniExplorerDoing the same thing this off season.
- Very nice to have the right tools.
My crimps look about the same with the hydraulic from HF. - bka0721Explorer II
theoldwizard1 wrote:
Those TEMco crimper make very nice crimps, but the cheap hammer/anvil crimp tools are not bad.
Yep, I did the same thing too for my 1860 watt solar system for my truck camper almost a decade ago. Still running strong, too!
When at the race track and we didn't have a crimper, a fall back was using the expansion joint of a sidewalk/curb with a punch and 2 lb sledge. We also used parachute cord for determining the length of the cable by running the cord the route of the cable. Also, used painters tape to draw a line on the tape attached to the cable and lug to ensure the lug to match the orientation for the mounting of the lug to the eventual terminal.
Off topic link removed. - GaryUTExplorer III clamp the crimper to the workbench with quick-grip clamps. Put the terminal in the crimper and tighten it just enough to hold the terminal without smashing it. Hold the cable in the terminal and crimp it with your other hand.
Putting the terminal in the crimper first also makes adding a terminal to a cable that's already in place on the trailer.
Gary - richardcoxidExplorerYou can also go to your local wholesale/retail welding equipment dealer and use industrial quality welding cable/terminals.
The dealer will have many gages (reels even) of black welding cable and a selection of terminals. Welding cable is very fine strands which are more flexible than standard automotive battery cable and the insulation is also very flexible and resistant to abrasion/chemicals. As well as a assortment of shrink fit.
Most suppliers will for a small $ amount crimp on the terminals and apply shrink fit etc.
Remember, measure TWICE and CUT ONCE!
Also if you have a scrap of steel approximately 1inch by 2 inch wide by 6 or 8 inches long available, drill a 3/4 to 1 inch diameter hole close to one end (must be large enough for the widest end of the terminal to pass thru) then drill and tap a 1/4 - 20 or a 5/16 - 18 hole 90* from the center line of the big hole. Clamp your tool in your shop vice, prepare one end of the welding cable/terminal place it thru the large hole, tighten the bolt and you have hand dimple clamped the terminal to the cable. (looks better than the “old” chisel/hammer method)
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RV projects you can tackle on your own with a few friendly pointers.4,351 PostsLatest Activity: Jan 13, 2025