Mini UHF Crimper

Inman · Post by **Inman** » Sat May 04, 2002 6:58 pm

Anyone know where I can buy a crimper for the 3 piece Mini UHF Connectors like the ones that come with Motorola radios? It looks like a “Service Tool II”

Thank You,

Mike
[email protected]

perthcom · Post by **perthcom** » Sat May 04, 2002 7:20 pm

I've had great luck with the Ideal Industries Crimpmaster tools.
the one you want is 30-481 which includes the die set for the that connector.
There are cheaper sets, but I find the frames just stretch and then you don't get a proper crimp.
These are full complete cycle units with adjustable tension on the full crimp.

Ideal makes commercial duty wiring tools so you will find them at most Electrical Wholesalers
bruce

Inman · Post by **Inman** » Sat May 04, 2002 8:19 pm

Bruce:

Thank you for the tip, but unfortunately I don’t think this crimper will do the trick. I have three crimpers of this type, and two of them will crimp the sleeve, but the problem is the center pin. The crimper you mention will crimp the center pin on a BNC, or TNC, and also on the four piece mini that has this same type of pin. The three piece mini pin however has a smaller diameter (.052 I think).

Thank You,

Mike
[email protected]

Will · Post by **Will** » Sun May 05, 2002 11:29 am

For those oddball center pins I use the Molex crimpers made for the .062 Molex round pins. Some center pins were intended to be soldered but can be crimped if you are carefull, avoid over criping as the "smashed" pin may not fit in the connector insulator.

Inman · Post by **Inman** » Sun May 05, 2002 11:41 am

Thanks Will, I'll give the Molex crimper a try. Sure would be nice though if I could get the correct crimper, and do the whole thing with one tool. Right now I am crimping the sleeve with one crimper, and soldering the center pin... what a pain, and I usually end up involving a knife as well.

Mike

Will · Post by **Will** » Sun May 05, 2002 12:22 pm

Same here!!! I have several dies for my Paliden crimper that fit that center pin but use the dedicated Mini UHF Paliden crimper for the outer shield crimp. Some times to rushed to change the dies in the other crimper, so I use the Molex crimper which is worn out now. I want to get a Molex die set for a Paliden or Ideal ratchet crimper.

Inman · Post by **Inman** » Sun May 05, 2002 12:28 pm

I have a set for my Ideal, but find myself using the Molex one all the time. The Ideal one is so big, and the pins so small that it makes it difficult to see what is going on, like how everything is lining up

Mike

Nand · Post by **Nand** » Sun May 05, 2002 2:32 pm

Inman · Post by **Inman** » Sun May 05, 2002 2:44 pm

Nand:

Thanks loads. That is definitely the crimper I am looking for. I thought I remembered it being an AMP tool, but could not find it on their web site. I’ll be seeing a customer tomorrow who buys from Motorola, so I should be able to look it up in their catalog.

Thank you very much,

Mike

PS
Love the photos... nice touch

Post by **wavetar** » Sun May 05, 2002 4:15 pm

I believe the number you see on the tool in the picture (58124-1) is the AMP part#. We ordered several from AMP direct at half the price Motorola is going to charge you.

Todd

Inman · Post by **Inman** » Sun May 05, 2002 4:37 pm

Wavetar:

The closest I have been able to get to an AMP Website is the TYCO site. I searched there for that number, and also did general Google searches in groups, and the Web, but to no avail. If you know of a different Web address for AMP let me know. I probably will end up ordering it from Motorola though, as I only need one, AMP would just laugh at me. Having the Motorola number may also make it possible to find the crimper at Talley, or Tessco from whom I can purchase in small quantities.

Thanks for the help Wavetar

Mike

Nand · Post by **Nand** » Sun May 05, 2002 6:00 pm

Inman · Post by **Inman** » Sun May 05, 2002 6:40 pm

Nand:

Thanks for the number. I figured it would cost a few bucks, especially since it’s practically impossible to find one, but it will pay for itself in no time... just a nip, a little tuck, a bit of a squeeze, and move on... I like that.

Thanks again to everyone,

Mike

Cat_Herder · Post by **Cat_Herder** » Wed May 08, 2002 11:05 am

Ok all, here's the bad news

and this is fresh off the press from AMP Incorporated. This type of crimp tool is no longer available, and there is no direct replacement. Amp suggests that you contact E-Commerce at:
1-800-438-7707 for a potentially suitable replacement. I wonder what AMP was thinking when they discontinued their best crimp tool?
I have tried some seriously expensive ratcheting type crimp frames and dies that match the frame...they are useful only for paper weights and door stops. (the occasional hammer is nice too..). That's even after they've been "adjusted" too. I'll search to find the suitable one and give up the numbers and what type of Mini-UHF connectors what tool does best on.
Mear.

Inman · Post by **Inman** » Wed May 08, 2002 11:38 am

I just ordered the crimper from Diversified Electronics, Inc. They have to order it from Motorola, and I’ll just have to see if it actually shows.

Mike

TheMotorolaMan · Post by **TheMotorolaMan** » Thu May 09, 2002 10:24 pm

Mike,

RF Industries makes an die set which has the following cavities: sq .052; hex .068, .100, .213, .255.

The part # is RFA-4005-01 (Tessco # 44820). Replacement Die only.
The Kit # is RFA-4005 (Tessco # 54250). Handle and two die sets.

The die set will fit the Paladen 1300 series frame also.

Another source:
http://www.rfparts.com/rfcoax.html

Hope this helps,
TMM

Will · Post by **Will** » Thu May 09, 2002 10:42 pm

We had too many bad crimps with the AMP tool, no wonder they, AMP, discontinued it. The Ideal, RF Ind. and Paladen do a much better job worth the extra price. Save your money for the Ideal, RF Ind., or Paladen crimpers. This IS from twenty years experience on crimp connectors.

Monty · Post by **Monty** » Fri May 10, 2002 9:01 am

Hi:

Not to totally say Crimp Connectors are poor, but
I have just seen to many poor ones, and sometimes
they will not Crimp the Center Pin at all.

I play it safe.

I solder the Center Pin by heating up the pin
with a Weller 800 degree soldering tip, and then
let the solder flow to the heat.

Wipe off any access, and you are all set for the
Center Pin.....I do use a Industrial Grade Hex
Crimper for the Shield, and then place a piece
of Heat Shrink over the Cable and back body
of the connector to make it look sanitary.

Will upload a photo later....

MS

Will · Post by **Will** » Fri May 10, 2002 2:34 pm

Seems I get going and forget the heatshrink, it helps keep the outer shield from breaking away from the connector. You are suposed to have a short part of the outer jacket under the outer crimp to support the shield. Most instalations don't need the shrink because the connector is not whre it can get "bent".
Heatshrink is a MUST for the test cable(s).

Nand · Post by **Nand** » Fri May 10, 2002 5:26 pm

Post by **wavetar** » Sat May 11, 2002 4:30 am

I like the AMP tool, not so much for the center pin crimp (although I must say I haven't had any problems with it) but I find the round sleeve crimp is MUCH better & tighter than any Hex type crimp tool. Crimp once at the top of the sleeve, and once at the bottom, with the "bubble" in between, and the connector will virtually have to break before the sleeve separates from the connector. I also find double-crimping the center pin in similar fashion provides very high reliability. Just my opinion.

-Todd

Inman · Post by **Inman** » Mon May 20, 2002 2:03 pm

The crimper I ordered came today, and what a joke it is. It’s a “No Name” ratchet type, but all the dies are the wrong size. A tag stuck to it says to use the “Red Die Face” for center pin crimp. I finally found the red face in question. It is on the very end of the die blocks, where someone has marked the black surface with a red felt tip pen (barley visible), and they have ground a small notch in the end of the die to crimp the center pin. This is something I considered doing myself, but decided it was just a little to “shade tree” for my taste. Back it goes, and I’ll just keep soldering the stupid things.

Mike

Nand · Post by **Nand** » Mon May 20, 2002 4:51 pm

Post by **wavetar** » Tue May 21, 2002 4:14 am

I can tell you right now, the part number has stayed the same but the crimpers have changed to the ratchet style. I received a set last week, didn't get a chance to update the post. It's too bad, we only have 2 of the AMP tools left.

Todd

Mini UHF Crimper

Mini UHF Crimper

Motorola mini UHF tool

Motorola part number

Crimp tool....

Die Set