Side by Side Comparison of: TMS vs Tool Aid

Had to make some custom battery cables and needed a crimper. This thing is great! Easy to use, just make sure to print the sheet showing which dies to use for what size wire.

bought manual crimpers-junk bought these-awesome. crimped one lug found hard to work with until I built a base/frame for them then went to town on 34 1/0 lugs !!!!

Bought this for some home use. Took it to a job site, a co-worker saw it. Asked what it did, showed him, and sold it to him on the spot. Made $10 profit and bought another one to replace the one I sold. Still use it every once in a while.

While the dies are not a marvel of precision this tool is fully adequate for the job. I had to crimp a series of 150 mm2 Alu connectors. Those are thicker and have a larger circumference as compared to copper terminals. Crimping carefully, and rotating the terminal 60 degrees halfway crimping did the job. If you do not make that turn with the terminal the material is pressed between the outside of the dies. And then you can press until you are blue in the face, but the crimp doesn't get any tighter. I sawed open one of the crimped terminals. Even after polishing I could not distinguish the individual strands, or could I tell the cable from the terminal. For me that is a good joint.

I purchased this when I could not get battery cables made up locally. It did the job on my truck and a set of batteries on a solar array. Nice feature is the ability to squeeze a larger lug down to fit a smaller size cable. Just use the proper size crimp for the lug and then progress down till it compresses the wire tightly. The Dies seem simple enough to enable fabrication of sizes and shapes with a drill press and or mill if you need them.Great tool for the workshop.

this crimper works really good i use on repair a/c pipe to my jeep 1998 and good news

I finally broke down and got a ratcheting crimper. This is so much easier than trying to generate the crimp-torque required by crushing your hand. I have ditched my universal stripper/crimper for this beauty and the similarly awesome auto stripper. You are definitely upping the cash outlay with these, but I can promise they will make a job go much faster. Link to the Klein stripper included.Klein Tools 11063W 8-22 AWG Katapult Wire Stripper

Previously, when performing automotive wiring, I had always used the manual wire crimpers. Unfortunately, I would always have to use both hands on the crimper, in order to get a good connection. After a long wiring job, I would experience hand fatigue and soreness.After purchasing this ratcheting crimper, I can now complete jobs without difficulty. The crimper itself has 3 channels, each color coordinated to the corresponding butt terminal or ring terminal size: red for 18-22 gauge wire, blue for 14-16 gauge wire, and yellow for 10-12 gauge wire. In order to use the crimper, you simply place your wire in the appropriate connector, place the connector into the corresponding channel on the tool, and squeeze. The ratcheting mechanism is simple and can be performed with one hand, which allows you to stabilize the wire while crimping. After one crimp with this tool, while using only one hand, I get a connection that is stronger than using two hands with a manual crimper and have no concerns of the wire pulling out of the connection.The tool also has a release button, which can be used to release the tension if you mistakenly attempt to crimp in the wrong channel.The tool itself and is well made and I have no concerns with it breaking. However, if it does eventually break or malfunction, I would still buy this item again. With the amount of time that I have used it, it has already been worth the purchase price.I highly recommend this item!

I Purchased this crimper to use specifically with the Forney heat shrink butt connectors with glue (there similar to standard butt connectors, but have a special built in heat shrink that is super strong and 100% waterproof). They crimp them perfectly every time, without damaging the watertight heat shrink tubing. Standard crimpers did not work as well because they sometimes damaged the heat shrink, and also because these connectors are heavier duty than standard ones, which means they take more crimping pressure to properly crimp them. I listed the 3 part numbers for the Forney brand butt connectors.Forney 54826 (blue, 14-16awg)Forney 54825 (yellow, 10-12awg)Forney 54827 (red, 18-20awg)

I have many little projects that require the same crimp each time, and this pair of crimpers does a great job. I have used manual crimpers for YEARS! and a ratcheting crimper is excellent for reducing hand fatique and helps ensure the same crimp pressure each time. With the multiport die set you can crimp several size connections without the need to change out die sets.

I bought this crimper hoping it was a less expensive alternative to crimpers made especially for crimping Anderson Power Poles (often used with amateur radio equipment). I spoke with a representative from the company that makes this tool to see if they knew of anyone using it in that capacity...but they did not. I told them I'd post a review after giving it a try.Pros1) Great price2) Very solid tool that appears to be well made3) Makes incredibly good crimps on insulated connectors4) VERY good at doing what it was built to do (crimping insulated connectors).Cons1) Does NOT work with Anderson Power Poles (note, this is not really a "con" as they never claimed it would. I am just pointing out that if your application is the same as mine, it is not a good choice). Trying to crimp Anderson Power Poles with this tool was problematic because power poles are not insulated (at least not the part that you crimp), and therefore the tool was not crimping tight enough. In addition, this tool slightly flattens the connector at the crimping point, which can be problematic for power poles when you try to insert the crimped connector into the housing.If you are looking for a solid crimping tool at a very good price point for crimping insulated connectors, then this is the tool you want. If you are looking to see if it can replace a specialty Anderson Power Pole crimper (the most prolific of which is currently twice the price of this tool), then I advise you to look for something else.Please note that I did NOT return this tool, as I was so impressed with how it crimps insulated connectors (and its price) that I decided to keep it for that specific purpose.

This is a quality tool. It crimps very well and makes sure you fully crimp whatever you are working on.I haven't used it much for larger wires. I have found when crimping 16-14 AWG butt connectors (blue) that if the wire going in it isn't 14awg it may not crimp down enough to hold the wire well - or at all. At that point just put the connector in the red 22-18 spot and it will crimp it fully without damaging the connector's jacket.I like being able to just lock onto a crimp connector so the crimper itself holds the connector while I insert the wire. It's almost like having a 3rd hand when compared to the el' cheapo crimper/stripper combos most folks use. A must-have product for the tool box.

works well

Great value. Works well. Would be better with a crimp sizing chart for the various cable gaugesHaving said that it's not to hard to try a swage, and create your own die swaging info chart..

Worked great but your on your own to figure out the proper die size. Buy extra crimps because the first one may not work. One size smaller than what is listed seems to work but it largely depends on what type of crimp connector you are using. I have used several types and they all worked well once I had the proper sized die. For the price this tool is worth every penny. Would have given it a 5 if the documentation was better.

It is still alive after I crimped around 200ea of 70mmsq cable lug, but some oil leakage is found honestly from the joint. I think it is something wrong related to the O-ring. Cost efficiency is one of my concern, and it is not easy to find a metric crimper among common warehouse and contractor supply. It did work exactly what I need and get the job done anyway.

Crimped around (10) 2/0 lugs for my car audio wire. Much easier than soldering them. Ergonomics are a little funky, but unit is definitely holding up so far. Good crimper for the money. Still have 30 lugs to crimp, so we will see if 8t stands up to the task. I'm sure it wil . Feels very solid...

The dies were in metric, it took me about one minute to find a conversion table online. The tool works great. It doesn't make a pop or click like the more expensive crimpers do, and it doesn't have a automatic release on it. So to make sure you don't blow out the seals you pump it just u till the two dies meet! I made a few 4/0 crimps (which is die 120) for my house boat on a inverter so I don't have to use my generator, and the tool worked great! It's a great crimper for the price that you are paying!

seems to work well but haven't used it very much

Made and works well.

Works good for shielded connections like butt end connectors. Does not do a good job with other types. I have made a couple hundred connections with this re-wiring my truck. They hold well and have not damaged the connectors. Work the price just not perfect.

Decent tool. Has adjustment for crimp level, which is handy. Better then the cheap stripper crimpers you get everywhere. Not as good as some fare more expensive professional tools. A good addition to your tool box if you do a lot of terminal crimping. Works really great with some crimp connectors, less great with other terminals.

It built quality and solid, but the die size is not accurate. I have test all wire terminals Red AWG 22-18, Blue 16-14 and yellow 12-10. I noticed it only crimps good on large wire gauge size but not the small wire gauge size.I have to strip the wire longer, and fold it back double, then crimp it. It will hold tight. I did adjust the adjusting screw on the side, but it doesn't help at all but it make your hand squeeze harder. In short, the die size is not accurate.

This crimper is vastly superior to non-ratcheting crimpers. It really crimps well, and gives much better crimp connections. With non ratcheting crimpers I would sometimes have the crimps fail, and the wire pull out of the crimp connection due to lack of thorough crimping.This unit crimps well, and gives a solid connection.The unit is not as smooth as more expensive units that I have used at work. If you are going to be doing a lot of crimp connections (such as professional work) you will want a more expensive unit. This is fine for the occasional user.Pat Robinson

Works ok. For the price and in a pinch, this is not a bad deal. Down side, the dies move around in the crimp head and won't stay aligned. This makes for a sloppy crimp. Don't believe the '16 Ton' part. Maybe 5 at best but that's being optimistic.

Just as pictured.

Gets the job done, I'd only recommend this product for hobby/limited usage. The dies are not labeled to AWG standards, not a problem. The case absolutely sucks, mine arrived damaged and I later discarded it. The detent on the pin that holds the dies in fell out and was unfixable, again not a huge issue just a pain.

Quality seems a little shoddy

Typical chinese tool. Rough fit and finish, Half-assed case. Did the job though. Solid crimps in 2/0 battery cable using copper lugs. I don't expect the dies to last very long, I don't see aluminum holding up to this application. For the price it's good for a DIY'er, but NOT recommended for a day to day user.

Decent crimper works well for what i needed it for crimping terminal lugs on 3o and 4o wire for motor conections. Only reason i knocked it down was it leaks hydraulic oil i suspect.it will be empty by the next time i use it.

It's functional but the ratchet release can not be operated by hand, you have to have another tool like a small screwdriver to release it. Not a good design.

Very sturdy tool. However, I can't figure out how to release the jaws after they are clamped. As far as I can determine the little lever just ahead of the lower blue handle must be tripped to release the jaws. With the jaws clamped I cannot get a finger between the handles to push the lever. There must be an easier way, but it did not come with instructions, or the instructions were lost in transit. This tool would be 5 stars if there is indeed an easier way to release the jaws.

Nice tool, very well made, one problem no instructions, come on people this tool is getting bad reviews because of that. It took me 20 minutes of trial and error to figure it out, I have it working, beautiful crimps but what does the dad gum dial do. Did more adjusting on tool works perfect now when your done crimping the tool now release automatically. The dial controls this adjustment

This gives consistent good crimps. It works great with heat-shrink connectors too, doesn't cut through the plastic.Exception: with 12 gauge wire and connectors with 10-12 gauge range, there is not enough pressure to give a solid crimp.

It works great for every connection I have tried so far except for 16 AWG in a blue connector. For those you have to crimp using the red jaws and then crimp them again using a traditional crimper, otherwise the wire just slides right out.

Overall, this is a good tool, does a very good job crimping as long as the wire gauge and connector are match up correctly.I found that under certain situation when you need to crimp 2 different size gauge wires with the same connector, the smaller wire will not be crimped thoroughly. I find you will have to strip off extra and double over the wire to make up the larger gauge and then crimp it, it holds fine.Pros:Good crimp compression surfaceComfortable handles.Takes the guess work out vs. non ratcheting crimped.Leaves the insulation in tack.Cons:The release lever is difficult to use with the handles fully compressed.I have fairly strong hands and found that high quality hd yellow butt connector are hard to compress. The cheaper yellow butt connectors are easy. Could use extra compound leverage design.No instructions on features, there appears to be a star adjustment wheel, but not sure what it's for.This tool is very suitable for the homeowner or serious hobbyist.

I bought this TMS 16 tons crimp tool with very reasonable price from Amazon, arrive in good shape. I didn't use it on a job yet, but tried turn knob on and pump it, it seems working well. All seems be good and I am ready for my project soon.However, when I sorting all sizes of crimping blocks, it has a wide range of block (dies), from 16mm - 300mm section area can be crimped. Counting the die blocks, they were all there. When put them in order from small to large, find out the smallest one marked 16 is bigger than the next size of 25. I compare to next size up of 50, is it smaller than that. See the photos-I had put the block of 16 and 25 together to get a feel what it looks like. It definitely shows the 16 is bigger than 25. And that is the size (16) I want to use to crimp on my first job.For one set of die block, I am not sure if vender will replace it for me. Well, I may have to "make" one with existing block and mill an opening on the back side for my "16" size.Just this one "little" thing for the 2 stars, otherwise, the tool seems a decent 5 stars tool!

Probably sending back, it's by passing the seals and not crimping as well as it should.

Very poor quality. Tolerances of this hydraulic crimper and dies are very sloppy. Dies slip around in the track which makes it difficult to align the dies while closing. From the very first 2/0 crimps I had metal squishing out of one side of the crimp from the dies not closing evenly. After wasting several lugs, I finally figured out that the hydraulic piston surface is uneven, which causes the dies to close uneven, resulting in one side of the die closing before the other and lug metal squishing out the open side. Which of course once this happens, that side of the die will not close which results in an incomplete crimp.

The crimper seems to work fine for the dozen crimps I've done, but the quality of the case is very poor. The latch broke the 3rd time I opened it. Also, the dies don't stay in place in the case, so you have to search for the set you want.

Hard to use in tight places. I would not this again.

It would not crimp the butt connector tight enough. After crimping I could still pull the wire out of the the connector with very little effort. I had to grind down the stops with a file to allow the tool to crimp tighter. After filing the stops it seems to be working better.

Doesn't work very well with blue insulated blade terminals had to put them in the red crimping slot

I used the pliers this weekend and crimped a few connections for small 18 gauge wire, when I tugged on the connection to ensure a tight fit then wire pulled out. I tried several times and the wire kept pulling out. I went back to my Klein wire crimpers, the wire did not pull out if it.

it ratchets as it should but the crimps are on the very edged instead of the middle as a generic tool should do. they just need to put the crimp in the middle

Works ok but doesn't get the connector tight in a lot of cases. I have to go back and use another tool to complete the job.

This crimping tool is far better at crimping than anything I've used in 45 years. They also ratchet tight to where you can stop and get another hold if you need to go tighter, BUT, the release button is HORRIBLE, HORRIBLE, HORRIBLE. It is located right under and between the handles when tight to where you can NOT get your finger in to release it. I did use a small screw driver to stick back into the small opening, squeezed the handle to release the pressure some, then shoved the screw driver forward to push the lever forward releasing the ratcheting grip to remove and fully open the crimping tool. REAL BAD design on the release. If nothing else, the locking ratcheting button should have been down on the handle to where you could get to it easily. Kind of like the release on "vise-grips." I just hope the company realizes this and re-designs them SOON.A TIP--BUT WITH A TRADE OFF!!They are better designed crimping tools out there and I would advise looking elsewhere before buying this tool. I'm quite unhappy with mine. BUT, if you do buy these you may want to make them to where they release a little bit better for you. I opened them up to where you could see the ratcheting locking teeth and took a file and took off the first (or top) 3 rows of teeth off. This gives you enough room for your little finger between the handles to touch the locking device so you can push forward to release the pressure AFTER your finished crimping. But, you better have crimped your wire as far and as tightly as you want the first crimp or you just might pull the wire right out of the tool and wire insert or whatever wire connector your using. I love the wide crimping that this tool gives my wire connectors and ends, BUT I HATE where the locking device is. The locking device just isn't practical-PERIOD. I would advise looking at other wide crimping tools first. They can't be any worse without re-designing this type on your own OR using a screw driver to open. They feel good and they crimp good. Otherwise, I would have given them 1 star!I WOULD NOT RECOMMEND!!

The first time I took it out of the box the ball bearing and spring flew out of the bolt across the top. There are no instructions. My husband turned the knob to open and pumped, nothing happened. Turned to closed and pumped, nothing happened. The postcard size piece of paper that came in the package had several misspellings, so I assume it was made in Cxxxxx and is a piece of crap. Too ugly for a paperweight, so off to the landfill.

It leaks oil

Absolute garbage! 1st day 12-15 crimps, 2nd day piston frozen and will not move either direction.

Mine broke, leaked fluid all over. They start out well and don't last, now I need to buy another lug crimper.

Did not work and had to return.

These are junk, the dies don't line up so you can get a 360% crimp which is the main point of the tool. The seller would not take them back without me paying the return and the back and forth was a nightmare. Find a better product for your money

Did not fully crimp connectors wires came right out

Yes they work.Do they work good? No. using proper gauge wire with the corresponding terminal connector, half the time it does not crimp tight enough to keep it on the wire.

even after adjusting the tool properly I could never get a solid crimp, will return

This tool does not make secure crimps on red or blue crimp connectors. Every attempt I made to get a secure crimp on a 16 gauge stranded wire resulted in a connection that was easily pulled apart from the lug. I tried this on both red and blue type lugs and the result is the same. The only way I could make the crimp hold was to use pliers to finish the job. The scary thing is that the lug insulator has crimp marks that give the appearance of a good crimp, but the metal cylinder inside the lug is barely compressed. The yellow lugs I crimped with 10 gauge stranded wire are nice and tight.

This thing just plain does not work every crimp i make does not hold I have gone back to my old tool maybe there is just something wrong with it I would return it but im past my 90 days and i never used it till about a week ago if yo get one check it out before the 90 days passes

Very hard to crimp even after adjustment.