Need your input on custom servo leads

[losikid]

I decided to start carrying good wire strippers and cutters because it makes wiring a lot easier and didn't seem like many folks had a good set. (That old trusty pair of dikes and the automotive stripper/crimper combo is not a good set of tools for RC car wiring).

However, selling these has lead me to think about also carrying a good pair of crimpers for servo connectors...and the connectors themselves.

So, what i want to know is.
1.) Do you or would like to shorten servo leads or make new ones?
2.) Do you want to enough to buy a tool thats in the $40-50 range (This is where i think most people will change their mind)


Thanks for your input

[Szczerba]

I bought a $21 set of crimpers a few years ago. Still use them til this day. They are now $16 a set. One of the best tools in my tool set.

Best $21 ever spent. Servo Connector Crimping Pilers

...

[losikid]

I had a pair like that way back in the day. I may have been using them wrong, but could never get a good crimp.

The pair i've been using for awhile now (same ones I'd carry in my store), is a much better tool. Very clean, tight crimps and easy to use.

[Trubble]

Originally Posted by losikid

So, what i want to know is.
1.) Do you or would like to shorten servo leads or make new ones?

Nope, hate it with a passion. If I need to shorten a lead significantly, I'll coil it up, stick some shrink tube around the coil, and shrink it down. If it's a longer run, and I just need a little shortening, I'll coil the lead around a pen, little heat from the gun, and hope it stays that way when it cools.

But there's no way around making receiver bypass adapters. Them things you just gotta put yer head down and get 'em done.

Originally Posted by losikid

2.) Do you want to enough to buy a tool thats in the $40-50 range (This is where i think most people will change their mind)

I've got the same cripmer that Szczerba mentioned, makes the job as easy as I think it can be, I guess. I wasn't real impressed with it being laminated, but it works. I also think it's a bit wide.

I was thinking just yesterday about what would make crimping easier. I can't remember where, but I thought I had seen a crimper with machined, replaceable jaws. I thought something like that in a miniature punch-press would free up both hands for positioning. Okay, miniature punch-press, I realize that's a little outside the box for a vast majority of us. Even modifying a powered riveter isn't something most of us can pull off. Then I thought about a tree limb trimmer I have, and wondered if I could hook up a pedal under the coutertops downstairs and make sort of a foot powered arbor press.
It's just more engineering than I really feel like doing.
I'd be interested in seeing what you have up your sleeve, though.

[k7zpj]

Originally Posted by losikid

1.) Do you or would like to shorten servo leads or make new ones?

Yes, I shorten the servo leads so that they are at the right length so that I don't have big bundles of servo wires all over the place.
I make new leads if I have to lengthen the leads instead of using servo extensions or if moving the servo to a new rig the leads are too short.

Originally Posted by losikid

2.) Do you want to enough to buy a tool thats in the $40-50 range (This is where i think most people will change their mind)

I would rather buy one expensive crimper that lasts than buy several cheap ones because they because the break or wear out after a little bit of use.