Which leader crimper??

[mc1984ss]

I finally bought the supplies to make my own leaders. I bought AFW 40# wire leader material and #2 crimp sleeves. I was looking at the AFW 8.5" crimper. Very little info listed about it, will it work??? Thanks in advance!

[esox_xtm]

It will work but not much better than mashing the crimp with a pliers. Everything I learned about crimping came from here: http://www.leadertec.com/tipsandtechniques/crimp_techniques.html

I twist tie uncoated 7 strand 40# very easily though that is about the limit for that connection. We'll assume you've got the nylon coated version of same. IF you stripped enough of the nylon coating off to make a twist/tie connection that would work but not in it's fully coated state. If you have 1 x 19 or 7 x 7 (49) strand coated wire this can be tied with any conventional knot. I've just started playing with that so I can't offer any big fish experience with it. Yet.

A serviceable cup to cup crimper will run you about $30 and will last a lifetime or more for the kind of use we'll give it. I got a Mustad tool (now $40) and it works very well. Here's an inexpensive one: https://smile.amazon.com/Booms-Fishing-CP3-Crimping-Tool/dp/B01M25PXH1/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?ie=UTF8&qid=1545428918&sr=8-1-spons&keywords=crimper%2Btool%2Bleader&th=1

Make sure you get one that at least has the correct size cups for your crimp size (measured in mm).

[eyeflyer]

If you are crimping a lot buy a set of Klein crimping pliers. A bit pricey but they are what about 90% of what the electricians use, or at least used to. I have a couple pair for crimping electrical connections, way better than the cheap ones I think.

[esox_xtm]

If you are crimping a lot buy a set of Klein crimping pliers. A bit pricey but they are what about 90% of what the electricians use, or at least used to. I have a couple pair for crimping electrical connections, way better than the cheap ones I think.

Sorry, but no. Those are for crimping electrical connections and they are fine for that. Line/leader connections are different and require different tools. No disrespect intended, just my experiences with crimping.

[Raptortrapper]

I just got set up for the first time also.  I'm using Penn crimpers, and they are awesome!!!!  I'm a master electrician.  Do NOT use the crimpers shown above.  Two totally different applications!!  Different crimps, different materials.

Find the thread "Crimping Fluorocarbon" that I started recently.  All my materials, and some good tips from people, are in that thread.  It's easy to do!  Just be sure ya start with the right stuff!

[esox_xtm]

I just got set up for the first time also.  I'm using Penn crimpers, and they are awesome!!!!  I'm a master electrician.  Do NOT use the crimpers shown above.  Two totally different applications!!  Different crimps, different materials.

Find the thread "Crimping Fluorocarbon" that I started recently.  All my materials, and some good tips from people, are in that thread.  It's easy to do!  Just be sure ya start with the right stuff!

Yep! You're gonna like that    Hey RT, you got "pets"? When I was in high school I was enthralled by the idea of falconry.

[eyeflyer]

Sorry, but no. Those are for crimping electrical connections and they are fine for that. Line/leader connections are different and require different tools. No disrespect intended, just my experiences with crimping.

LOL electricians use them but they can crimp anything

[esox_xtm]

LOL electricians use them but they can crimp anything

Agreed, if you do not care if your connection is properly crimped. Check the leadertech link for more info. Cup to point crimpers are not recommended for leader connections.

Electrical connections are different and, even there, a modified cup to cup crimp is recommended for insulated terminals whereas a point to cup is preferred for uninsulated ones.

If you're working on connecting the business end of your fishing rig wouldn't you want the most reliable connection possible? Certainly you can make do with less than ideal but why?

[Huntindave]

Agreed, if you do not care if your connection is properly crimped. Check the leadertech link for more info. Cup to point crimpers are not recommended for leader connections.

Electrical connections are different and, even there, a modified cup to cup crimp is recommended for insulated terminals whereas a point to cup is preferred for uninsulated ones.

If you're working on connecting the business end of your fishing rig wouldn't you want the most reliable connection possible? Certainly you can make do with less than ideal but why?

Agree with everything you have pointed out.  Although the majority of folks seem to be satisfied with doing no research, as little "work" as possible, and then wonder why they experience less than stellar results.   Yes, sometimes the details are important.  Actually MOST of the time the "details" is the difference between just "OK" and "great".

[Papa Sly]

I got all my info from Esox and constantly re-read that leader tech post. It is the best info [out there. Thanks to Esox for all the help, I don't tie anymore. Have never had a crimp fail with a quality crimper and the correct crimps.

[eyeflyer]

Agreed, if you do not care if your connection is properly crimped. Check the leadertech link for more info. Cup to point crimpers are not recommended for leader connections.

Electrical connections are different and, even there, a modified cup to cup crimp is recommended for insulated terminals whereas a point to cup is preferred for uninsulated ones.

If you're working on connecting the business end of your fishing rig wouldn't you want the most reliable connection possible? Certainly you can make do with less than ideal but why?

Of course they don't recommend them, they wouldn't sell any of their cheaper ones would they? Hey use what every you want, I will use the Kleins every time.

[Huntindave]

Of course they don't recommend them, they wouldn't sell any of their cheaper ones would they? Hey use what every you want, I will use the Kleins every time.

Recommended crimping tool @ $34.50

Kleins electrical tool @$30.23 Home Depot


Lost fish,,,,,,,,,,,,, priceless.   Yep, your choice.

[Raptortrapper]

Hey RT, you got "pets"? When I was in high school I was enthralled by the idea of falconry.

Not flying anything at the moment.  Flew a female prairie falcon last year.  They are my favorite.  I have flown almost every species of raptor except for owls and eagles.  I've been flying for 22 years, and absolutely love it.

[teamtip-up]

Esox is 100 percent correct

[eyeflyer]

Agreed, if you do not care if your connection is properly crimped. Check the leadertech link for more info. Cup to point crimpers are not recommended for leader connections.

Electrical connections are different and, even there, a modified cup to cup crimp is recommended for insulated terminals whereas a point to cup is preferred for uninsulated ones.

If you're working on connecting the business end of your fishing rig wouldn't you want the most reliable connection possible? Certainly you can make do with less than ideal but why?

Don't really need to read anything, I have used them for years to make Quickstrike rigs and they have worked fine, never broke any  or had any open yet. But like I said use what you like and make sure you do exactly what the book/link tells you to do.

[kasilofchrisn]

I like the electrical pliers and they work great I use them every time I need to fix my trailer lights before I go fishing!
As for using them for making fishing leaders no way in heck would I do that.
I have a small side business where I make saltwater fishing lures and I make assist rigs using shark leader cable to attach the hooks.
I've never had one fail using standard fishing crimps and a good crimp tool that is made for the task of crimping fishing leader sleeves.
I'm not home right now or I would tell you the brand of crimper that I am using.
My customers routinely catch fish over a hundred pounds so they have to be good and they cannot fail.
Why do you think they make different crimp tools for different tasks?

[eyeflyer]

I like the electrical pliers and they work great I use them every time I need to fix my trailer lights before I go fishing!
As for using them for making fishing leaders no way in heck would I do that.
I have a small side business where I make saltwater fishing lures and I make assist rigs using shark leader cable to attach the hooks.
I've never had one fail using standard fishing crimps and a good crimp tool that is made for the task of crimping fishing leader sleeves.
I'm not home right now or I would tell you the brand of crimper that I am using.
My customers routinely catch fish over a hundred pounds so they have to be good and they cannot fail.
Why do you think they make different crimp tools for different tasks?

I suppose I bought a hammer for nails once, and had to buy a different one when I was hammering staples and a different one for pounding stakes in the ground and ..................LOL. USE WHAT EVER YOU WANT I really don't care.

[esox_xtm]

Different strokes for different folks. Everyone's opinions are based on their personal experiences. Right, wrong or indifferent, people tend to stick with what their experiences have re-enforced. That's me, that's you, that's pretty much everybody.

Ask this: Would you abandon your opinion to blindly accept another viewpoint when the breadth of your experience tells you that you do not need to? I suspect not. It's hard to step away from what you've seen with your own eyes.

It's like telling me that 20# fluorocarbon makes a great pike leader. Maybe good for you, but my actual experiences tell me otherwise and you cannot change my mind. At least I tried it to see. Lotsa different brands, pound tests, different hooks including circles... Actually losing a number of fish told me the experiment was over (and no, I'm not particularly heavy handed with a hand line). But you've done it and never lost a fish... Yep. Sometimes people just agree to disagree.

And kasilofchrisn, you're a funny guy 

[kasilofchrisn]

I suppose I bought a hammer for nails once, and had to buy a different one when I was hammering staples and a different one for pounding stakes in the ground and ..................LOL. USE WHAT EVER YOU WANT I really don't care.

See now your getting it!
My Carpenters hammer is great for nails but really really sucks at pounding fence staples. So like you I had to buy a different one. The smooth head just doesn't work for the curved staples. But the textured head on my fencing pliers doesnt slip and pounds them right in no slipping. No problems.
Conversely both of those were too light to Pound the stakes in for my raised bed garden and they put too much force in one area deforming and splitting them.
But a small sledge worked perfect and had enough weight to pound them in and enough surface area not to split them.
The right tool for the job is usually out there.
Sometimes the incorrect tool works but not like it should.
I crimp more leaders than the average guy and for bigger fish than most.
I use the crimpers made for leader sleeves because they are the right tool for the job and were designed for it.
I care what others use as I don't want to see anyone lose the fish of a lifetime to something as simple as an incorrect crimp!

[Raptortrapper]

I care what others use as I don't want to see anyone lose the fish of a lifetime to something as simple as an incorrect crimp!

THIS!!!

I'm a master electrician. When ya use the right tools, in any job, it shows! Otherwise, in my trade, you're what we call a hack. It might work, but it's pretty obvious your just doing the bare minimum to get by, and ya hope it holds long enough that you can get out of the driveway!

Kasilofchrisn, pretty obvious you take pride in what ya do!  Well done!!