How do you crimp?

1. Prepare the wire. Strip the ends of the wire to expose the metal. Twist the strands of each wire together to form a solid core.

2. Insert the wire into the crimping tool. Place the tool's jaws so that the wire ends are positioned in the center of the barrel.

3. Apply pressure to the crimping tool. Squeeze the handles of the tool until the jaws clamp down on the wire. Release the pressure once the crimp is complete.

4. Inspect the crimp. Make sure that the crimp is tight and secure. There should be no gaps between the wire and the crimp material.

Here are some additional tips for crimping:

* Use a crimping tool that is appropriate for the size of the wire you are working with.

* When stripping the wire, remove only enough insulation to expose the metal. Too much insulation can cause the crimp to be weak.

* Twist the strands of each wire together tightly to form a solid core. This will help to ensure a strong crimp.

* Make sure that the wire ends are positioned correctly in the center of the crimp barrel. If the wires are not centered, the crimp may not be secure.

* Apply pressure to the crimping tool until the jaws clamp down on the wire. Do not release the pressure until the crimp is complete.

* Inspect the crimp once it is complete. Make sure that the crimp is tight and secure. There should be no gaps between the wire and the crimp material.

* Don’t forget about heat shrinkage tubing too (for waterproofing your connectors, or giving added strain relief, or covering sharp tips from wire leads)! You only heat it, though (not crimp it).