You can also use a clamp, vise, or other to crimp down that hammer crimper.
Another idea I've heard but haven't tried is to use the tool that holds
copper tubing to flare it.

--


Keith
__
I love to give homemade gifts, ... umm, which one of the kids would you
like?
"Glenn Ashmore" wrote in message
news:gOzjc.476$Lm3.246@lakeread04...
I have made up a bunch of them. A big lug swage looks like a small
seesaw with teeth on the bottom. Cost about $20 and works up to 4/0. You
place the lug in the propper notch, position the wire in the lug and
give the device a healthy whack with a BIG hammer. Slip a piece of heat
shrink tube over the lug and toast it with a heat gun.

Steve wrote:

I have been buying #00, #0 and #1 battery cable, (the tinned marine
grade
with the fine strands) and the proper lugs. However, my crimping tool
will
only do up to #4 gage.

I've tried soldering with my 150 watt soldering iron and as others have
worned, the solder wicks up into the strands, making it to stiff.

These stiff ends are hard on the electrical terminals that they attach
to.
I want to redo about a dozen lugs that I have concerns about.

How do all the rest of you crimp or swedge these lugs??

I've seen a tool that is used by the guys building DIY electric cars and
off
grid elect systems. These were just a steel saddle that the lug/cable
end
rest in and a crimping die is driven down over the open side. They were
using a heavy hammer for the force and that give me some concern (lack
of
control, etc.).

I've seen some professional tools in the electrical supply catalogs but
they
are pretty expensive for doing a dozen cable ends. (several hundred
dollars).

I'm thinking there should be some kinda die similar to that used for
NicoPress swedge rigging sleeves. (come to think of it, I have one and I
may
try a test and see if it would work)

Or perhaps the marine suppliers?? But, then I already have purchased,
mail
order, all of my cable. Not sure they would do it for me..

Steve
s/v Good Intentions




--
Glenn Ashmore

I'm building a 45' cutter in strip/composite. Watch my progress (or lack
there of) at: http://www.rutuonline.com
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