Douglas Crimping tool.

[ColKilgore2860]

Is there any inexpensive alternative to these tools, or should I just bite the bullet? I see them on Ebay, by the time they have been bid-up plus shipping, I would rather spend the $ to buy the $70.00 Ideal version new.
I see $20 Chinese crimping tools, but they seem to be square crimpers.
I don't want to spend much for something I will hardly use. Of course, every time I have gone out on a limb and spent money on some tool, I end up being very glad that I have it.

[4x4M38]

I bought one on eBay for ten bucks.

Remember, be patient, but most important, think outside the box.

Many people have no idea what they are selling.
Many don’t know it’s for military connectors.
Many don’t bother with a decent description,
and if there is one, can be vague.

And, if they manage to get a brand name or description,
many times it is misspelled.

Just as important is looking at the photos.

The one I found was during a vague, wide net search.
No name anywhere in the description.

But one look at the photo and I knew exactly what it was.

Like the twenty five dollar rifle rack I bought at a resale place.
The guy had no idea what it was.

[RonD2]

Hi Adam,
x2 what Brian said ---- patience.

Although my gently used set of Buchanan C-24 cost me $25 delivered from flea-bay, so it looks like I paid too much.

I believe, but may be wrong, that you might find other suitable military crimpers with different sizes, mine fit 12-14 AWG which is most if not all the wiring on the M38. You might have to look carefully or ask the seller a question to confirm any markings about size because like Brian said the seller might be clueless about it. Not much use for 16 AWG and smaller crimpers on the M38.

The C-24's do make a very nice 4-way crimp. After crimping, I hit mine with a dab of solder, then a coat of No-Ox before assembly.

And only because you asked, I've also cheated and used these before I got the C-24's and they'll do the job, but they take an electricians finely calibrated grip not to wreck the pin....

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-The-Th ... SwqzhejOE8

If I come across a nice C-24 with a good price I'll shoot you a PM! Sometimes using the word "vintage" in the search helps...

Like this one! Make an offer....... https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-BUCHAN ... SwxVted2kf

[Eades]

I bought a Buchanan one that crimps on four sides from Ebay. Works great on my Douglas connectors. Good forearm workout too!

[wesk]

The Buchanan C24 and the old Douglas Division of The Scott & Fetzer crimpers are very similar and either will do the job. The Sta-Kon by Thomas & Betts only crimps on 2 sides which may expand the width of the pin too much.


The legendary Douglas Crimper which meets MS3191-1 spec.


This Astro Crimper also meets the MS3191-1 spec.

Generally speaking, the solder type pins are traditionally used in fixed, vibration free equipment that is not normally exposed to any motion stress on the solder joint IE Fixed avionics/electronics units. Those pins used for vibration prone applications usually stick to mechanical attachment pins.

Since the bulk of my work is Aircraft and automotive electrical I stick with the mechanical attachment process primarily. The four point circular crimper is not as popular as it once was. I also have the other brands and styles of ratcheting crimpers with replaceable jaw sets I use mostly on the job.

[4x4M38]

There are two Douglas tools on eBay right now, box in boxes, one is a set.

[wesk]

Actually 3 on ebay.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/A-Douglas-Swag ... SwjANeYdFy



https://www.ebay.com/itm/Crimping-Tool- ... Swlj9eSLr1



https://www.ebay.com/itm/Crimper-Dougla ... SwH-9eiXl0

[keats]

https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_odkw=m ... +&_sacat=0