Can we talk about that 'universal' crimp tool from the big online tool truck that absolutely butchered my D-sub pins and cost me a $300 connector kit?

I was trying to save a few bucks and it mangled every single pin, forcing me to order a whole new Amphenol kit overnight for a Friday job.

3 comments

3 Comments

seth_harris361mo ago

I bought that same universal crimper for a data center job last year. Used to think all crimp tools were basically the same until it ruined a bag of Panduit pins. Had to drive an hour to an electronics store to finish the work. Now I just use the manufacturer specific tool for each connector type. The extra cost is nothing compared to wasting time and parts.

felix_williams711mo ago

I've had good luck with that exact tool.

river3201mo ago

Wasn't there a whole thread on a tech forum about how those universal ones have too much play in the jaws? I mean, they look okay but the tolerances are just not tight enough for small pins. It makes sense that a D-sub would get wrecked because those pins need a really specific crimp. Maybe the cheap tool works for big spade connectors but not for delicate stuff. I'd be mad too after losing a kit that nice.