Ryobi bolt cutter made into a crimper

[Rebuilder]

Maybe it's just me but the hammer crimper and the hand pump hydraulic crimper I have both suck for various reasons so I've been looking for a better option. For some reason there aren't many options for electric crimpers and the ones that are available are thousands of dollars so that's definitely not an option. Then I saw the Lock Picking Lawyer test one of these Ryobi bolt cutter and I knew right away it's just what I've been looking for. $114 and a little welding and grinding later and it works. Hopefully someone else finds this helpful. I plan on making different dies out of plate steel so I'll post those when I get around to it. For now I'm happy with the 1/0 die which also works for 2/0.

 

[billiebob]

cool mod, definitely all anything Ryobi is capable of. But $114 is pretty rich for a crimper.
AND it needs a battery lol.

 

[Rebuilder]

cool mod, definitely all anything Ryobi is capable of. But $114 is pretty rich for a crimper.
AND it needs a battery lol.

I guess it depends on how often you use it because to me the hydraulic units ($40-$90) are pretty awkward to use the the hammer tools really only work if you're assembling the cables on the bench. For me $114 is a pretty good deal especially considering what Dewalt offers. They do come with a battery though .

 

[john61ct]

Hammer type fuggedaboudit

cheap Chinese hydraulics completely wacked die sizing unless you get lucky, can start leaking pretty quick too

Nothing beats accurately matched lug size and sime leverage

FTZ makes good stuff in general, usually AMP/Tyco & Ancor line up as well on sizing.

Bay Marine is a great seller, support before and after, buy direct off their website or by email

for #2 down to #6 gauge, no smaller
Good reading here, maybe 3 articles just on crimping

Making Your Own Battery Cables - Marine How To

Pick Your Crimp Tool FTZ 94284 & Ancor Hammer Crimper TEMCO TH0005 & FTZ Bench Mount BUY FTZ 94284 CRIMP TOOL - BAY MARINE

marinehowto.com

Marine Wire Termination - Marine How To

Marine Wire Termination - Tools of the Trade MHT Recommended Tools: The products below are our top picks for crimp tools. RecommendationsI include; PRO GRADE, MARINE GRADE, & PENNY SAVER GRADE. Every tool recommended BELOW, we have tested here.

marinehowto.com

 

[Joe917]

Buy the FTZ crimper Crimps 6Ga to 4/0, perfect every time.
The Marine How To articles John links are excellent.

 

[Toyaddict]

I figured out the hammer type works pretty well when paired with a balljoint press and impact. Now I use an Amazon or Ebay hydraulic crimper, works well if the dies are correct.

 

[Stitebunny]

Unfortunately I don’t think Marinehowto sells that any longer.

 

[john61ct]

Rod had a stroke I believe

 

[Joe917]

 

[lonewolf55337]

cool mod, definitely all anything Ryobi is capable of. But $114 is pretty rich for a crimper.
AND it needs a battery lol.

If $114 for a powered crimper is a bit rich, then don't look up the price of these lol... my anti blown shoulder investment..

View attachment 20220723_172908 (1).jpg

 

[llamalander]

What's a new pair of jaws cost and how quickly can you swap them?

 

[Rebuilder]

What's a new pair of jaws cost and how quickly can you swap them?

If I made more jaws I'd just use 3/8" steel so it's more time than material cost. I did make a set of jaws to hold multiple size pex crimping inserts but I made the tips too thin and they bent after some use. When the need arises again I'll make a stronger set for the pex dies and then make some dies for different size wire.