I always thought cheap crimpers were fine until I got shocked on a live line last Tuesday

I've been doing cable installs for about 7 years now and I always figured any old crimper would do the job. My buddy Dave kept telling me to buy a good Klein ratcheting set but I thought he was just being a brand snob. Well last Tuesday I was working a job over in Elmwood on a hotline I thought was dead. Used my $8 Harbor Freight crimper and the handle slipped right off when I squeezed it. My hand went straight into the cable and I got a nasty jolt that knocked me off my ladder. Nothing broke thank god but my arm hurt for two days. I bought the Klein set that same night and now I get why people spend the money. Anyone else ever cheap out on tools and learn the hard way?

2 comments

2 Comments

alex3073d ago

8 dollars for a tool that handles your life is the same logic as buying a 2 dollar carabiner.

emmag223d ago

Alex nailed it with that carabiner comparison. Paying cheap for safety gear is basically gambling with your body. I saw a guy at my old shop use a $10 multimeter that gave false readings, nearly fried himself testing a 277v line. The thing is, cheap tools don't fail in a way that lets you learn a gentle lesson. They fail hard and fast when you least expect it. A good crimper or meter is like an insurance policy that pays out by not letting you get hurt in the first place.