That cheap crimper I bought on Amazon actually works fine

I grabbed a $12 ratcheting crimper from some no-name brand after my Klein broke mid-job last Tuesday. Figured it'd be junk but it's made over 50 connections without messing up a single one. Has anyone else found a cheap tool that surprised them?

2 comments

2 Comments

lee.diana20d ago

You said it's "worked fine" but 50 connections isn't that many for a cheap crimper. Wait until you hit 500 or 1000 and see if the ratchet mechanism doesn't start slipping or stripping insulation.

troy_sanchez819d ago

lee.diana is right about cheap crimpers falling apart after heavy use. I've gone through two of those $20 amazon specials myself. The ratchet mechanism starts slipping around 300 connections for me, right when you really need it to hold steady. Better off spending a bit more upfront on a Klein or Ideal if you plan on doing more than a few patch panels. Lee.diana mentioned 1000 connections, and yeah that's where the plastic frames on cheap ones just crack under pressure. Save yourself the headache and grab something with a metal frame, the weight is worth it for consistent crimps across hundreds of runs.