I like the idea of this tool, compound leverage pliers with a locking device to hold the crimp. The problem is, they don't have enough crimping force for the physical effort required to crimp the terminal. My 47-year old Delco-Remy pliers do the same job with less physical effort. Frankly, I was a little disappointed; I was thinking that since this is a Klein tool that it would be exemplary.

An incredible price point for a great Klein ratcheting crimper makes this a must-have for DIY and...

An incredible price point for a great Klein ratcheting crimper makes this a must-have for DIY and pros. This is a great looking tool with red over molded handles so they are easy to see in my tool bag and easy to not get lost on the job site. More important, however, is the quality of the crimp; they’re perfect and consistent. I have always crimped my connections twice, and to this day I still do. It’s a hold-over behavior from trying to crimp with low-quality tools, and it’s not necessary with this crimper.The ratcheting action makes crimps a true one-handed event. The dies are very nicely formed, and they’re ambidextrous, so it doesn’t matter which side of the tool is used. A dab of each color on the back of the dies will help visually identify which size to use ... MoreAn incredible price point for a great Klein ratcheting crimper makes this a must-have for DIY and pros. This is a great looking tool with red over molded handles so they are easy to see in my tool bag and easy to not get lost on the job site. More important, however, is the quality of the crimp; they’re perfect and consistent. I have always crimped my connections twice, and to this day I still do. It’s a hold-over behavior from trying to crimp with low-quality tools, and it’s not necessary with this crimper.The ratcheting action makes crimps a true one-handed event. The dies are very nicely formed, and they’re ambidextrous, so it doesn’t matter which side of the tool is used. A dab of each color on the back of the dies will help visually identify which size to use for a left-handed person just starting out, but that’s a minor improvement that most wouldn’t even notice.The adjustment for crimping force works just as expected—remove the chrome Phillips screw, turn the force dial, and replace the screw. Awesome.

Foolproof Crimpers

The Klein Tools 3005CR Ratcheting Crimper for heat-shrink terminals is everything you could want in a set of crimpers. I was having problems crimping with non-ratcheting crimpers because of my old arthritic hands. Crimping with the 3005CR requires so little effort it hard to believe the crimp is completed. The crimper holds the terminal so securely in place that holding the wire in place eliminates any concern that the wire is not inserted properly. The crimps produced are uniform. This is an affordable pair of crimpers that yield professional results. Add on to that this is a heavy duty pair of pliers is well constructed and what you would expect from Klein Tools.

I decided to order this Klein Tools ratcheting crimper Model 3005CR after excellent experience wi...

I decided to order this Klein Tools ratcheting crimper Model 3005CR after excellent experience with another Klein crimper Model VDV200-010. I had been impressed by the VDV200-010's replaceable jaws, allowing use of one tool for several types of crimp connectors, but this model uses a different and non-compatible jaw. I read the instructions carefully and there is no mention of being able to remove and replace jaws. I have a set of jaws for open-eye non insulated terminals but they don't fit this crimper. This was a slight disappointment but overall this set of crimpers works just as well, crimps insulated 10 AWG to 22 AWG stranded copper wire and can be used from either side of the jaws with equal ease. Each jaw slot is color coded, 10-12 AWG Yellow, 14-16 AWG Blue, ... MoreI decided to order this Klein Tools ratcheting crimper Model 3005CR after excellent experience with another Klein crimper Model VDV200-010. I had been impressed by the VDV200-010's replaceable jaws, allowing use of one tool for several types of crimp connectors, but this model uses a different and non-compatible jaw. I read the instructions carefully and there is no mention of being able to remove and replace jaws. I have a set of jaws for open-eye non insulated terminals but they don't fit this crimper. This was a slight disappointment but overall this set of crimpers works just as well, crimps insulated 10 AWG to 22 AWG stranded copper wire and can be used from either side of the jaws with equal ease. Each jaw slot is color coded, 10-12 AWG Yellow, 14-16 AWG Blue, and 16-22 AWG Red, to match industry standard colors of connectors. The crimping action/power is adjustable and there is a release lever inside the handles just forward of your fingers. The quality of these crimpers is excellent and they work very well. Just know that these are designed for use with closed-eye (meaning the hole where the stripped wire is inserted prior to crimping) insulated terminals. Despite the minor disappointment regarding the jaws not being interchangeable with prior Klein crimpers I still recommend these.

If you ever use butt splices, you will appreciate this crimping tool. Making sure that you have ...

If you ever use butt splices, you will appreciate this crimping tool. Making sure that you have a good tight crimp is always a problem with a budget crimping tool, but this works perfectly every time. Works with all three standard size insulated butt splices: red, blue and yellow, for wire sizes from 22 gauge to 10 gauge.What makes this crimper so nice is that once you start a crimp, it will not let go until the proper force has been applied to make the connection. It keeps on making an audible ratcheting sound that lets you know that you are still compressing the splice. Once it releases, you know that you have a proper crimp. This really takes all of the guesswork out of butt splices, and won’t damage the outer insulation of the splice.Remember that the range ... MoreIf you ever use butt splices, you will appreciate this crimping tool. Making sure that you have a good tight crimp is always a problem with a budget crimping tool, but this works perfectly every time. Works with all three standard size insulated butt splices: red, blue and yellow, for wire sizes from 22 gauge to 10 gauge.What makes this crimper so nice is that once you start a crimp, it will not let go until the proper force has been applied to make the connection. It keeps on making an audible ratcheting sound that lets you know that you are still compressing the splice. Once it releases, you know that you have a proper crimp. This really takes all of the guesswork out of butt splices, and won’t damage the outer insulation of the splice.Remember that the range of quality of insulated splices goes from good (UL listed for 600 volts), all the way to cheap junk. Make sure that you are using a good splice for your application, especially for anything over 12 volts. Good splices can be used for both solid (SOL) and stranded (STR) wire, but for some reason, this tool states that it is for use with stranded wire only.The rubber grips allow the tool to fit well in the hand, and it feels well balanced. Klein provides a warranty for the “normal life of the product”.

Junk

Straight out of the box the bottom handle slams full open and will not close (ratchet jams against the release). I check the manual on how to adjustment and set it to the recommended loose setting; still won't close. Mess with the adjustments (tighter and looser) for the next 45 minutes - it took 2 more full turns (looser) to get this thing to close. Action is still not smooth but "works". Adjustment knob and screw are complete garbage. Good luck!

Klein is always a solid choice worth paying the couple...

Klein is always a solid choice worth paying the couple of extra bucks over cheaper knockoffs. Purchased for use in boat wiring installation and repair on offshore boat. Makes solid and safe crimps every time.These crimpers are for non heat shrink connectors. DO NOT USE FOR HEAT SHRINK CONNECTORS.Would be useful if there was a way to open crimpers after crimp cycle was started. Once the ratchet engages the cycle has to be completed for crimpers to open. This is a convenience feature only since once the cycle is started the connector is no longer usable.Solid tool far superior to knockoffs and non ratcheting style crimpers

This crimper is a very sturdy crimper that has 3 separate slots for attaching ends on conductors....

This crimper is a very sturdy crimper that has 3 separate slots for attaching ends on conductors. The crimper is made from thick metal plates. The edges have all been smoothed and coated in black finish. Both sides of the crimp anvils can be replaced by removing a single screw on each of the jaws. The handles have firm rubber cushions to lessen fatigue during long periods of use. The crimp force is easily adjusted by removing a single screw. The crimp anvils include sizes 10-22 AWG that are most prevalent in appliance, automotive and boat installations. I like the ratcheting feature because I can partially close the tool to more accurately position the ends on the conductors before giving the final crimp. A release lever can be flipped to open the tool if you need ... MoreThis crimper is a very sturdy crimper that has 3 separate slots for attaching ends on conductors. The crimper is made from thick metal plates. The edges have all been smoothed and coated in black finish. Both sides of the crimp anvils can be replaced by removing a single screw on each of the jaws. The handles have firm rubber cushions to lessen fatigue during long periods of use. The crimp force is easily adjusted by removing a single screw. The crimp anvils include sizes 10-22 AWG that are most prevalent in appliance, automotive and boat installations. I like the ratcheting feature because I can partially close the tool to more accurately position the ends on the conductors before giving the final crimp. A release lever can be flipped to open the tool if you need to re-position the end or conductor before committing the final crimp.

Works great - this is only good for insulated terminals...

Works great - this is only good for insulated terminals - you cannot change the jaws on this tool. Had I known this (my fault for not researching) I would have purchased the Klein VDV 200-010 for which you can buy multiple jaws for different terminals/applications. A little more expensive, however, for me it would have been worth the flexibility. If you are only doing insulated terminals you can't beat this tool - secure crimps every time. Haven't had a Klein tool yet that I have been unhappy with.

ordered this because it got good reviews and my local...

ordered this because it got good reviews and my local home improvement store didn't have it. couldn't squeeze it down all the way and had to resort to using an iron C clamp to put enough pressure on it! then it wouldn't release and i called Klein who gave me a case number and said they'd call back the next morning, which they never did. as a result ended up leaving exposed wires out in the rain and after all this the wires just pulled right out of the plastic connectors. this product has good reviews and looks fine when you examine it but it was really difficult to use and didn't do the job.