Learned the hard way about cheap coax crimpers

Bought a $15 crimper kit off Amazon instead of shelling out for a proper one. First three connectors I crimped looked fine but failed the continuity check. Wasted about 2 hours troubleshooting before I borrowed a buddies $60 tool and it worked perfect on the first try. Anyone else had junk tools cause weird intermittent faults in their installs?

2 comments

2 Comments

the_phoenix28d ago

Bought the same kind of cheap kit and had the exact same issue with my first few crimps. Borrowed a friends Klein tool and it was night and day difference, no more bad connections. Those cheap crimpers just dont get the compression right, it's frustrating how much time you waste chasing ghosts in your wiring. Ended up grabbing a midrange one from the hardware store for around $40 and it's been solid ever since. Honestly wish I had just skipped the budget option and saved myself the headache.

the_oscar28d ago

Oh MAN, @the_phoenix hit the nail on the head. I spent a whole weekend redoing a trailer wiring harness because my cheapo crimpers made every connection feel loose. Borrowed my buddy's Klein and it crimped like BUTTER, no more pulling my hair out. I swear those budget kits are designed to make you want to throw your tools across the garage.