Crimping pliers for leads.
 

So I've decided to start making my own servo extensions. I ordered 100' of wire and a starter kit from Hansen Hobbies. Looking at their deluxe crimping pliers they appear to be a Chinese set. I'm wanting to buy the best pliers I can. Ones with a a good die. My question is what exactly am I looking for for specs? These IWISS look nice but is this the die I'm looking for? Any other recommendations? Thanks!

https://www.amazon.com/Professional-...keywords=Sn28b

Well the ones Hansen sells for $40 can be found around the web for $20.00.

All of them in that price range are pretty much the same, some have jaws that match up really well and some don't even in the same brand. Kind of a crap shoot.

For what it's worth, "real" avionics crimpers start at about $200 and go up to about $500. After having used those things the last place I worked at the airport, I tried the Hansen kit and it was basically a joke. Some guys do it using those types of crimpers but I just gave up.

While I no longer make my own servo extensions, when I was still working I used the small JST connector crimpers extensively.

As Zeeb states, there are many crimpers that will do the job but the quality and convenience of use varies considerably. The best tool I ever used was an "AMP" brand tool. It was single action, a bit smaller than most with narrow jaws that fit the smaller JST connectors used for RC applications. American made in those days, it was a precision tool and about $50 or so 20 years ago. This tool was really only suitable for the small JST connectors and again, it worked great. The second best tool was also an "AMP" brand tool and it had compound action with a ratchet. This tool did beautiful crimps but was clunky to use and the jaws were wide with just a part of them machined to fit the connector. The wide part of the jaw obstructed the view of the connector. This was a several hundred $$ tool 20 or so years ago. Both of these tools are now duplicated in various Chinese brands with quality levels that vary from excellent to downright crummy. You really need to get the tool of choice in your hands and see how it works before making judgement. I'd buy one of the tools and if you don't like it, send it back. You might also want to look at a company like DigiKey to see what they have to offer. Price may help dictate the quality of the crimp / crimper but will not always guarantee ease of use. I don't know if AMP still produces crimp tools or not. Some of the later tools I bought were Tyco and GMP brand with prices from $200 and up. The Amazon tool will probably do the job but the jaws look clunky to me. Good luck!

For what it's worth . The ratcheting type crimper tend to be more consistent in the crimp especially one that is adjustable to limit the crush . Over crushing the crimp and severing the wire strands is bad only second to a under crushed crimp .
I make all of my own extensions but I use a Packard /SPX crimp tool , 300.00 + when new . No I didn't buy it to make my own extensions I once was an automotive electronics specialist and master mechanic for a little over 30 years .
Don't waste your money on 20.00 tools unless you don't like your airplane . You can find some great deals on quality crimpers online just look around .

The non ratcheted AMP tool had an adjustable stop to prevent over crimping. It was just a very nice tool that had a good feel in the hand. If available today, it would probably be around $100 or so.

I have been making my own extensions for years. I use a Molex universal crimper that will do several sizes of terminal crimps. https://www.waytekwire.com/item/539/...FVI8gQodChwFRw

Here is a ratchet type also, will not do all sizes but should cover the standard hobby terminals.
https://www.moddiy.com/products/Prof...FVA9gQodkwYHeA

The items listed in this link are probably the best available for crimping servo terminals in the 20-22ga range. They are ratcheting with stop adjustment and have an integral terminal retainer that sets the terminal wire depth also . It crimps the wire and the insulation in one step . These prices are 25 to 30 percent of the retail price .a great deal . I am not affiliated with the seller or site but very familiar with the crimp pliers.
http://m.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=GM...qp=gm+15397700