I use a lot of connectors. I like the Dupont connectors like found in PCs (speaker, front panel etc).


Usually I rob the connectors from old PCs but it sometimes makes the project a bit messy looking because you have to sometimes join one wire to the other.

I am thinking of buying some Dupont connector housings and pins. Does anyone use a crimping tool or do you just crimp with a pair of needle nose pliers and solder?

 

I bought this one.
http://www.jameco.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10001_10001_159266_-1
It's a little tedious to use, but no solder is required, and the pins fit in the housings.

 

and for the "D" sub size

http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2103683

 

Not using proper crimp tool (pliers) will most often give poor results. If you do not feel for purchasing a proper crimp tool. Using plier and then soldering may do the job for hobbyist jobs at least. For professional jobs I will say it is a no-no

 

I simply solder the wire in and then use pliers to crimp it in such way that it fits into the plastic connector.

 

and for the "D" sub size

http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2103683

That looks just like the one I bought at Jameco for $2 more.

 

That looks just like the one I bought at Jameco for $2 more.

I know, I bought mine at Jameco, and one of my students came in with one from RS. He said let's compare and see what the difference is, which of course was none.

 

FYI. (From the professional side of the fence)
If you are not using an "approved" (UL listed) crimper with any type of terminals then UL considers this "unacceptable" and will require additional testing or additional methods of securement.

What I find amazing is that the UL listed "hand" tooling for most terminals is typically $250 to 500+
We (well the accountants/bean counters) would be so happy if we could use a $10 crimp tool.

 

What I find amazing is that the UL listed "hand" tooling for most terminals is typically $250 to 500+
We (well the accountants/bean counters) would be so happy if we could use a $10 crimp tool.

UL often knows less than nothing about the products that they are certifying. I once was a reviewer of a portable generator specification they were trying to develop. It was pathetic.

 

FYI. (From the professional side of the fence)
If you are not using an "approved" (UL listed) crimper with any type of terminals then UL considers this "unacceptable" and will require additional testing or additional methods of securement.

What I find amazing is that the UL listed "hand" tooling for most terminals is typically $250 to 500+
We (well the accountants/bean counters) would be so happy if we could use a $10 crimp tool.

The tool has to be listed, the terminal has to be listed, the wire has to be listed, and the method used must also be listed.

Oh, and the guy squeezing the crimping tool? No, he can't be listed, but he should be certified.

 

Crimp tools are specified by the manufacture.

 

While it is possible to make a bad connection with a good tool, it is virtually impossible to make a good connection using the improper too. Dr. Charles Wing