more expensive crimps, harder on the tools?

[teus]

I have a 20-25 euro tool for crimping quick disconnects (link), those in red-blue-yellow color. With cheap crimps it never did a great job. Recently I'm trying to crimp better crimps, such as Farnell 2293338 (TE 2-520184-4) and I'm having an even worse time. The wire can be pulled out easily. The blue crimps I have to use on the red tongs, otherwise they don't work.
Is this because more expensive crimps are a lot tougher, and require a stronger crimping tool?
I've tried adjusting the tool to the highest force. It requires both hands to engage, and doesn't help.

edit: or am I simply using the wrong type of crimp tool?

[elecman14]

If you are struggling to get good crimps you may want to look for a tool with longer handles and a different die setup. Something like Klein Tools 1005 may be a better fit.

[thm_w]

Are you using the correct wire gauge?

[Cubdriver]

In my experience, because female QD connectors tend to be made of thinner tin plated alloy sheet metal rather than the thicker, softer tinned copper usually used for other types (ring, fork, hook, some male disconnects), the barrel part will need to be crimped more to get a good grip.  For that sort of terminal on a generic crimper like that I usually use the next size down die (such as blue in red, as you mentioned doing), or doubling the wire over to increase its bulk within the barrel.

Note that Amp calls out a specific crimper for the QD terminals you listed:  https://www.te.com/usa-en/product-58628-1.html

Different than they do for ring and spade terminals such as this:
Ring https://www.te.com/usa-en/product-171506-1.html
Tool https://www.te.com/usa-en/product-58433-3.html

Leading me to believe that the actual crimps are different.  (And confirming that manufacturer's tooling is insanely expensive!)

-Pat

<edit for clarity of terminal construction>

[teus]

yeah, you can do some tricks by crimping the mantle as well. at this rate I'll probably break my crimping tool, sooner or later.
so far I haven't figured out if there's different crimp tools for quick disconnect and ring/fork

If you are struggling to get good crimps you may want to look for a tool with longer handles and a different die setup. Something like Klein Tools 1005 may be a better fit.

that one isn't even too expensive. the shape looks funny though, I'd have to figure out what crimps it can and can't do

Are you using the correct wire gauge?

yes, I am

[coppercone2]

I have like two different crimp tools for nylon barrels, one is for thin wall and one for normal wall. The die dimensions are different.

[BrokenYugo]

If you're like me and aren't willing to spend hundreds on a fancy pair of pliers, I'd avoid the ratchet type entirely. I had a similar looking one I bought for automotive wiring and could never make it work. Whatever the original design is it doesn't handle being cheaply copied. Even the super cheap, soft, stamped steel combo strip/crimp tools that come with cheap crimp assortments make better crimps with less effort.

[Sal Ammoniac]

Ratchet crimpers ensure you always apply the minimum force necessary for a good crimp. Spend a little more and get a quality crimper, not a cheap knockoff made of pot metal.

[deadlylover]

The TE Ultra-Fast has specific tooling you need to use, a normal insulated terminal crimper won't work. I know it seems weird because as a beginner you'd think "oh the red colour means I can use any red terminal crimper right?"? But yea those are designed for their tooling only.

Look into TE's PIDG series of terminals, they will work okay with normal tooling a hobbyist might have access to.

Of course to do things "properly" you must match the terminal and the tooling specified in the data sheet, they were designed as a system after all (no they aren't being assholes trying to get you to use their tooling ahahah).

[teus]

The TE Ultra-Fast has specific tooling you need to use, a normal insulated terminal crimper won't work. I know it seems weird because as a beginner you'd think "oh the red colour means I can use any red terminal crimper right?"? But yea those are designed for their tooling only.
Look into TE's PIDG series of terminals, they will work okay with normal tooling a hobbyist might have access to.
Of course to do things "properly" you must match the terminal and the tooling specified in the data sheet, they were designed as a system after all (no they aren't being assholes trying to get you to use their tooling ahahah).

Yeah, I was suspecting something like this. That means you could spend 100 or 200 euro on a generic tool and still get bad results. My bean counter at work wouldn't like that, even an upgrade for the 9 euro stripping tool when handling 50 000 euro worth of cabling isn't even possible with him.
Are there any replicas available for this type of crimp? So far I haven't found anything yet.

[coppercone2]

https://www.toolsid.com/s-g-tool-aid/sae-22-to-10-awg-rg-6-rg-59-ratcheting-master-terminal-crimping-kit-mpn-18980.html?view=901523&gclid=Cj0KCQjwyYKUBhDJARIsAMj9lkFMsLm1xdESjCVGhq4qMPFLCnIcvIE3H8n-siw1siHVCq6wKhpSTdEaAs2KEALw_wcB


this kit has 2 jaws for nylon crimps, I think the first one in the kit contents top to bottom is regular wall nylon and then the 3rd one down is thin wall nylon

But I only buy one type on digikey so I don't know how well it works on the thin one, not sure I have any around.

Fuck ultrafast though, since its a trapazoid.

[teus]

trapezoid, yet different from the trapezoid/hexagon ones for crimping BNC connectors?

[coppercone2]

i like circles

yes, the plastic is a trapazoid like you would draw on paper

[deadlylover]

If you're looking for "quick disconnect" style connectors, then you can just search that with Panduit/Molex/3M/JST, those are all quality brands so see whichever is more available in your region.

An example here from Mouser.

It is so annoying to search for crimps ahahah, you're just gonna have to order a handful from each just to experiment with. But to get one that is more compatible with common tooling, I think your best bet is to find one that has a lot of official compatible tooling, even better if it specifies the crappy hand pliers too. Check this Panduit data sheet here for example.

If the barrel/sleeve looks a little fat and round then you have a much better chance versus the slim trapezoid type crimps like the damn TE ultra-fast.

[coppercone2]

The thing is, home depot might sell the crimp tool for those. Because I am pretty sure they sold trapezoid crimps and they have that klien tools ratcheting crimper, which might work on them, but I am not sure.

actually, I think I got those trapezoids on digikey. Home depot might sell the standard ones. You would have to look.

actually, it looks like the tyco might be flat bottom. Whatever they sell in the store next to those.. might be the tool for it.

[teus]

If you're looking for "quick disconnect" style connectors, then you can just search that with Panduit/Molex/3M/JST, those are all quality brands so see whichever is more available in your region.

An example here from Mouser.

ah, amazing. thanks.

I emailed TE but I only got a canned answer

With regards to your query, the part in question PN 2-520184-2 takes tool PN 58628-1 link of the part is below,
https://www.te.com/usa-en/product-58628-1.html
We at TE recommend you to use our tools to crimp our contacts as we would have tested them.
If you feel the part is costly, please reach our to our tooling team via email at toolingquotes@te.com ,
You have the option to rent and lease tools so please reach out to them.