Soldering wires takes time, so mechanics use crimping tools for fast electrical repairs. A wire crimper uses shaped jaws to press a metal sleeve onto copper wire strands, locking them together. Most crimping tools include color-coded notches for red, blue, and yellow insulated terminals. Squeeze the handles firmly until the metal sleeve deforms around the wire. A good crimp should hold tight even when you pull on the wire with force.
Mechanic Glossary
Wire Crimper
A hand tool designed to squeeze metal terminal connectors onto stripped electrical wire ends to create a solid mechanical and electrical joint.
Frequently Asked Questions
Insulated crimpers use rounded jaws to avoid tearing the plastic sleeve. Non-insulated crimpers have a small tooth to dent the bare metal connector directly.
You either stripped too little wire, used a connector that was too large for the wire gauge, or did not squeeze the tool hard enough.
No. Regular pliers do not apply even pressure and will flatten the connector rather than wrapping it tightly around the copper strands.