At 11:00 AM 9/2/2010  -0400, Don Hundt wrote:

>less than $19.00 for this one.
>http://www.tooltopia.com/tool-aid-18900.aspx?utm_source=googlebase&utm_medium=cse&utm_term=SGT18900&utm_campaign=googlebase_18u

You can get that identical tool for $30 in the FLAPS.  Don't
bother.  I've had two of them, and anyone who wants them can have
them for a nickel.  They're worth at least that much as scrap iron.

I did once have a decent ratchet crimper that I bought for $50 in a
marine hardware store in Kittery Maine.  It was stolen and they no
longer have it or remember anything about it, sigh.

For FAA use, suck it up and buy the AMP tool and connectors.  For our
purposes, a Channellock #908
http://www.amazon.com/Chanellock-908-Channellock-Wiring-Tool/dp/B00004SBDH
will be perfectly satisfactory.  There's a better picture here
http://picasaweb.google.com/dbeierl/VanagonMeltedEngineHarness02#5487300480980688162

The essential feature of this tool (and similar ones carried by
electricians) is that it makes an indented crimp.  This allows great
crimping pressure without breaking your hand or needing to use a
compound-action mechanism.  I'm sure Greenlee and others make a
similar tool.  You can find them in the electrician's department at
Home Depot etc.  You have to make two crimps, one for the wire and a
second one for the insulation.

Incidentally, again for our purposes, there's nothing wrong with
using a PVC-insulated terminal like the one he rejected.  If you go
to NAPA you can get either PVC or Nylon-insulated good quality
terminals, probably both made by 3M.  Don't expect them to be free,
but they're a lot less expensive in bulk.

Yours,
David