AMP Tool: Commercial MATE-N-LOK pin crimper

[mkstabd]

Can anyone suggest a source for an inexpensive pin crimping tool that will work with AMP-style pins, specifically the Commercial MATE-N-LOCK pins? The least expensive one I've been able to find is around $200 ($544 for the certified one!) Insertion and extraction tools would also be handy. Here are the pins and sockets.

Here is a good overview of the product line.

Thanks,

Ty

 

[Lorne]

I did about 20 of those connectors a few months ago.
At the price of the crimping tool, I decided I'd just use a pair of pliers, and then solder each wire to the pin so I had an even better connection. It worked fine, and I've still got $ 200 in my pocket.

Now, if you're planning on doing a couple thousand connectors, then maybe the tool is the better option.

 

[MikeS]

I did about 20 of those connectors a few months ago.
At the price of the crimping tool, I decided I'd just use a pair of pliers, and then solder each wire to the pin so I had an even better connection. It worked fine, and I've still got $ 200 in my pocket.

That's what I do, but I can't find any $200 in my pocket ;-)
I also prefer to solder them.

Insertion's usually not a problem; for extraction I use a piece of thin wall brass tubing from the hobby shop.

 

[Chuck(G)]

Crimpers for the larger Molex-style (includes AMP) aren't hard to find. Have a look at the various models that Action offers.

I like the ratcheting crimpers myself--stick the terminal and the wire in, squeeze until the tool releases and you have a perfect crimp. But on a budget, I'd spring for the "open barrel crimper" for a double sawbuck.

 

[nige the hippy]

I was about to post earlier, I did a quick google shopping search on "molex crimp tool", and got a couple of options for around about the £20 mark.
Probably not mil-spec, but I would imagine that it's similar enough to give you a decent crimp.
I feel tempted to treat myself!

 

[Chuckster_in_Jax]

I used to use one of those $200-$300 crimpers at a job I once had. They are real nice. Only need 2 hands to operate them. I have a $50 Molex tool for home use but it's awkward to use. Need one hand to hold the pin in the crimper, another to hold the wire on the pin, and a third to operate the crimper. Just used it last night.

 

[mkstabd]

Options

Options

Crimpers for the larger Molex-style (includes AMP) aren't hard to find. Have a look at the various models that Action offers.

Are you saying the larger die would work well enough for the smaller connector? What about the open barrel crimper? Would using these options still require soldering?

I like the ratcheting crimpers myself--stick the terminal and the wire in, squeeze until the tool releases and you have a perfect crimp. But on a budget, I'd spring for the "open barrel crimper" for a double sawbuck.

I like the ratcheting crimpers too. I have a couple of them, but only with dies for coax cable ends.

 

[Chuck(G)]

Are you saying the larger die would work well enough for the smaller connector? What about the open barrel crimper? Would using these options still require soldering?

If you buy the ratcheting crimpers that take dies, be sure to get the correct size--there's not a lot of leeway in the way they work. If in doubt, contact the vendor. But given the small number of pins the average hobbyist is likely to use, I'd stick with the open barrel model. It should work with either Molex or AMP pins--they're not wildly different in size.