American Autowire crimper alternatives?

[Spork82]

Hey PT,

Bought a AAW kit for my mustang, anyone find some half decent priced alternatives to their crimpers? The rental program wont work for since I live in Canada and the time frame isn't to my liking.

If I was building a couple cars I would spend the $200 but looking to save some cash for other parts.

TIA

[vintageracer]

Matco, Snap On, Lisle try those as they all make them.

Try Larry's Electric in Illinois. He may sell that tool.

I bought that and other tools to crimp GM Weatherpack connectors years ago. I use those tools far more than I would have ever anticipated.

Also try the local china tool seller.

[Classic Nova & Performance]

Did you buy your harness direct from AAW or a local dealer? We have our own rental program for our customers, so if you bought from a local dealer you may want to check with them.

p.s. We were just up in Langley two weekends ago. Snowy!!

[Spork82]

Langley! that's only 20 min from me. I didn't realize you were so close.

I bought it from MCB. A friend of mine will loan me his but he uses them on the regular. I was just hoping to find a reasonably priced set to throw in the tool box when im done.

[astroracer]

Weatherpack Crimper? Jegs. 35 bucks.
http://www.jegs.com/i/JEGS-Performance-Products/555/80566/10002/-1
Mine works very well. :)

[chuckd71]

I bought this one but haven't made much progress with the AAW part of the rewire yet. Worked for the power window install and I see no reason it wouldn't work for the rest. Again, not 100% sure. http://www.amazon.com/Tool-Aid-18920-Ratcheting-Terminal/dp/B0002STTTI/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1394089068&sr=8-3&keywords=tool+aid

[wayward]

I have found these, I have not bought them but from the pics I believe they do the same roll crimp.

http://www.toolsource.com/professional-quick-change-ratcheting-crimping-tool-p-120541.html

[130fe]

You can also look on Ebay for them, I found both of them for really good prices (used but about 1/2 of why they were new). I ended up finding some locally from a fellow PT-er.

[Spork82]

Thanks for the reply guys, PT is great for resources I believe the ones from S&G will do the trick. Time to find a set for a good price.

I've been checking vey but nothing has really come up yet.

[Spork82]

Found the S&G 18960 on eBay for $70 shipped. Looks like it will do all the sizes required for the AAW.

[Classic Nova & Performance]

Spork82,

I'm not really "that" close. I was delivering a blower assy. to a friend who lives in Langley. We are located in Southern Oregon & vend at several shows up closer to your area. Currently the Goodguys Puyallup, WA show in July would be the closest. If you make to the show be sure to come by the booth and say hello.

[Spork82]

Ahhh gotcha, My friend has a 67 Nova and I know he's going to the Goodguys show, maybe I will tag along this year. I think he's swapping out the powerglide for a 700r4 and is looking for the swap parts. I will send him your way.

[Classic Nova & Performance]

Ahhh gotcha, My friend has a 67 Nova and I know he's going to the Goodguys show, maybe I will tag along this year. I think he's swapping out the powerglide for a 700r4 and is looking for the swap parts. I will send him your way.

Thank you for that.

[MonzaRacer]

http://www.toolaid.com/sites/default/files/18960%20Parts%20Breakdown.pdf
Im a professional tech so I got these off tool truck AWESOME. I use the "weatherpack" crimp dies on the cheapie split crimp terminals from parts store and it makes them look just like a machine did it and while I will always solder most connections 5 seconds lining up the split makes some great looking crimps. Ill try to get a few pics up.
Im picky with my wiring work.

[Spork82]

That's the one I purchased, haven't had a chance to really wire anything yet. But I played around with some of the "test" pieces that come in the AAW kit and the first couple looked horrible but after learning where to place the crimp and squeeze they looked a lot better. If you get a chance for pictures that would be great!

[70Uglybird]

You get a chance to use the crimpers more? I"m in the same boat just got my little box from autowire and need to get a quality crimper setup without spending the $200 they need for their crimpers!

[ilikeike]

I looked for an alternative to buying the crimper from AAW myself, the best I did was get them from Amazon and save a couple bucks on shipping,still about 2 bills though.

After dropping $500 on AAW harness,I wanted the correct crimp. I can also say that anytime I need to put a terminal on any project,I'll use a double crimp terminal,they are nice.

[Spork82]

I played around with the tool aid crimper and what I got was some amazing crimps! I took my time placing the connector into the crimper and once it was all lines up I ratcheted the crimper so the connector didn't fall out. Put my wire in place and gave it a good squeeze. Perfect crimp and compared to the pre-crimped stuff on the harness I couldn't tell if there was any difference.

If you go on eBay and search tool aid 18960 there is a seller who has them for $69 shipped. Just ordered another one today for my uncle.

[zzfranczz]

Hey thanks for the post, this was very helpful and finding most of the information in one post is great. So far the cheapest I have found is Amazon, $72.57 prime eligible.

Quick question, can this handle double crimping? I saw it on TV so I am unsure if they were crimping Weatherpaccs or some other style of connector. I am going to want to do a lot of wiring and I am starting with he engine harness.

Also, do most people solder as well? I am used to soldering everything so I am not sure if people have faith in just crimping.

Thanks

[Spork82]

I have been able to do a double crimp with out issue, just take your time to line up the crimp and give it a good squeeze. AAW recommends to solder so give it a little heat and drop some in. I soldered most of my connections.

I also found a great source of split braided tech flex loom on ebay. Seller's name is Furryletters I sent him a message and he saved me on shipping costs. Nice stuff to work with.

[chuckd71]

Finished my rewire with the Tool-Aid and got good results, great looking crimps and no issues to report. Not sure how it could be any better.

[zzfranczz]

Hey Chuck good to hear and nice to know you got good results. I think that solidify's it for me and I will pick up the same tool to do my crimping. I also got a soldiering iron from HF for $12 (Sale + coupon). I checked at the other stores for Weller and other brands and they were north of 50-60 bucks.

[79loserbluebu]

I use MAC TCT1028 at work almost every day and they work great. I bought them as a kit when the tool guy had them on special, I don't know how to buy the name brand tools without having a dealer though.

I have crimped Delphi, Yazaki, Sumitomo, Weatherpack, and Lear terminals and they do a great job.

It's a great alternative to buying the Kent-Moore ratcheting pliers for over $150