Need help finding right MOlex Crimp tool

ctozzi

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So I have been restoring Mk's for years and have had mild success making my own molex connectors for monitors, kick harnesses, and button wiring. I'm looking to simplify my process by buying the correct crimper tool for correctly crimping all these rounded molex connectors to wires. I tend to stick to Mortal Kombat games, so I'm looking for the actual tool to do it right the 1st time and not have to redo anything after multiple removals for testing. Here is an example of what type of moxex connector I'm seeking to make with ease:

http://www.jammaparts.com/MKsound.htm

Thanks guys

Chris
 
I use the Molex 63811-1000: http://search.digikey.com/us/en/products/63811-1000/WM9999-ND/243789 It has lots of different sized crimp sections, so it'll work on just about any type of terminal, but you do need to crimp the conductor and insulation separately. The one Dokert suggested does both crimps at the same time, which I imagine is quite handy.

Crimping terminals is one of those jobs that is way more enjoyable when you have the proper tool.
 
I use the Molex 63811-1000: http://search.digikey.com/us/en/products/63811-1000/WM9999-ND/243789 It has lots of different sized crimp sections, so it'll work on just about any type of terminal, but you do need to crimp the conductor and insulation separately. The one Dokert suggested does both crimps at the same time, which I imagine is quite handy.

Crimping terminals is one of those jobs that is way more enjoyable when you have the proper tool.

That is the same one I use.:)
I don't do a lot of crimping so it is all I need.
 
The Waldom HT1921's are junk and rarely make a decent crimp on Molex pins and Amp pins. They work well for quick disconnects.

If you take time to carefully seat the pin before crimping, you CAN get a good crimp with them, but it's tough. I have a similar crimper I bought from DigiKey, and it took me about 100 or so crimps before I finally felt like I had the hang of it.

Better crimper = less effort. Cheaper crimper = more work, more mistakes.
 
The Waldom HT1921's are junk and rarely make a decent crimp on Molex pins and Amp pins. They work well for quick disconnects.

i have the HT1921 from bob and they work fine for me, i've done a lot of molex pins with them also.
 
Just curious as to why bob's crimpers wouldnt work?
http://www.therealbobroberts.net/ht1921.html

Honestly, if you do a lot of crimping those work like dog-shit... The quality of the crimper really comes down to the sizing and shape of the die:

A good die looks like this:
Image10.gif


notice how it comes to a point on the open end... that's what curls the pin casing back into the strands for a really strong and electrically sound crimp.

bct-13.jpg


Also getting one with a double-hing so the die closes flat instead of on an angle is preferred:
!BuGbsjQCWk~$(KGrHqIOKjQEvUwwdkW9BL-7jPdQf!~~_35.JPG


crimpers like the one Bob Robers sells are really cheaply made and don't have a good die so the end up just squishing the shit out of it, which "works" but it's not going to hold up in the long run. I do a lot of crimping for custom automotive electrical and poor crimps usually rear their heads and start causing problems within 6 months to a year, they just can't hold up to the kind of vibrations they get in that environment. using that in an Arcade machine will probably last longer just because it's not seeing as much stress, but if you're going to do it, do it right.

90% of the time when I have friends that come to me with electrical problems in their cars it's because they installed a stereo, alarm, or something else with shitty crimps.

You don't have to pay a lot for a good crimper either I paid about $15 shipped for mine (I forget the model but it looks like the blue one in the pic above), if you're doing this kind of stuff all day, spending the money on a really nice one (usually in the $80 range) will make a huge difference, and it will allow you to get the work done a lot faster too. because they'll have features to line the pin and the wire up perfectly and easily every time, reducing the potential for error.
 
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