Pro tip: That $30 crimping tool from the gas station actually saved my butt today

Honestly, I've been rolling my eyes at those cheap crimping tools you see at the counter for years. Always figured they were junk compared to my Klein. But I had a job out in Maple Valley this morning and forgot my main bag in the truck. Ran into the Shell station and grabbed their generic crimper for $28.99 just to get through. I'm not gonna lie, it did a solid job on the RG6 connectors for the whole run. No loose ends, no split sleeves. Has anyone else had a random cheap tool beat their expectations? Kinda makes me wonder what else I'm sleeping on.

2 comments

2 Comments

nancy47518h ago

Oh come on, you just got lucky. That cheap tool probably works fine once but good luck with it lasting. I've had those gas station crimpers fall apart mid job, leaving me scrambling with half crimped connectors and no backup.

mia74811h agoMost Upvoted

Yeah the "good luck with it lasting" part is exactly what happened with mine. Bought one of those cheap crimpers from a hardware store clearance bin, first few uses were fine but by the third or fourth job the handle started getting loose and the crimp wouldn't close all the way. Had to finish a whole wiring harness with that junk, fighting it every step of the way. Then the little spring that pushes the jaws open just snapped right off, completely useless after that. I learned my lesson the hard way, spend the extra twenty bucks and get something that won't leave you stranded.