Circular crimp tool.

Some open barrel crimps use a strain relief crimp that uses a circular crimp around the wire insulation or wire seal. I have an Engineer brand crimp tool for open barrel crimps that has changeable dies. I have all dies available. I also have a ratcheting Klein crimp tool and have the open barrel dies for it. My problem is, non of these tools have the circular dies for performing these round crimps. I cannot find a crimp tool specifically for these round crimps. I would think that someone would make a specific tool for these crimps so general purpose tools could be used. I cannot find anything. I really don't want to go buy all new crimp tools for specific connectors, terminals. Do any of you know if there is a tool? If not, is there a way to perform these crimps without a specific crimp tool?

Hey Jason,

To give you a better answer, could you let me know a part number for one of the terminals you need to crimp?

The Aptiv/Delphi Micro 0.64 terminals, same as Molex MX123. These are the pins used in 2005 GTO LS2, E40 ECM. I also have some mini fuse holders that look like Metri-Pack 280 / GM Weatherpack connectors. Basically with a fuse that installs in one end of the connector instead of another connector half. RaceSpec https://racespeconline.com/products/sealed-mini-fuse-kit. The crimp around the silicone seal looks like it would need to be round, not F crimp "B" shape.

There's quite a few generic tools that have the circular crimp for seals. The tool in particular that I use which is designed specifically for the metri-pack 280 terminals are the following, if you follow the data sheet it shows the process quite well and which circular crimp is for the metri-pack seal.

https://www.swe-check.com.au/product/delphi-metri-pack-280-and-tyco-amp-mcp-28-terminal-crimp-tool

The sergeant economy crimpers from Race Spec have the "W" crimp and "Oval" that would also crimp the metri-pack seals.

https://racespeconline.com/products/sargent-economy-crimper?_pos=1&_sid=ad3642b1b&_ss=r

Race Spec also has a Sargent tool for the 0.64 terminals which specifically describes some of the dies as "insulation support" which would be your rounded dies. Race Spec is a great place to search for tools, they have a huge variety with good descriptions as to what terminals they support.

If you are in a pinch and need to crimp a rounded seal section but only have the F crimp tooling, you can get away with using a large die and light pressure. It's obviously not the preferred method but as long as it retains the seal and isn't damaging it, that's the main thing.

Also worth checking out,

https://docs.rs-online.com/b600/0900766b816627da.pdf

This is an AMP Superseal info sheet which shows some great crimp examples.