For electricians, mechanics and engineers, the crimping tool is an everyday essential that has evolved over time to become more than just a simple hand tool. Today, crimpers are capable of high-performance material joining for even the most heavy-duty tasks. At RS, our extensive range of crimping tools covers every base, from quality hand crimpers for everyday use through to heavyweight hydraulic and pneumatic crimpers built for industrial applications.

Featuring hundreds of options from world-leading manufacturers including Burndy, TE Connectivity and Platinum, we're almost guaranteed to have a crimping tool to meet your requirements. Read on to find out more about crimpers and their uses, types and usability, or start shopping our range now.

What is a crimp tool?

Crimp tools, or crimpers as they're often known, are devices used to join materials by pressing them together to create a seal or 'crimp'. The most common use of crimpers is to attach connectors to electrical cables, but crimping tools often offer additional functionality beyond compressions. Many are capable of bending, cutting and stripping materials as well.

Crimping tools come in a variety of formats ranging from basic hand crimpers to battery, hydraulic and pneumatic powered devices. Each tool is built for a specific application and use with particular wire, cable or piping sizes - although some crimpers can work with numerous sizes or gauges.

What are the different types of crimpers available?

There are five main categories of crimp tool that cover the full spectrum of applications:

Handheld: manually operated hand crimpers are smaller, more portable devices that are used for everyday sealing applications in wiring. They look similar to traditional pliers and are best used for precision tasks.
Electrical: battery operated crimp tools offer additional power for the user and require less effort to apply the required pressure.
Benchtop: these larger, heavy-duty crimpers are designed to be worktop mounted and take on more demanding sealing jobs. Benchtop models are available in both manual and electronic setups.
Hydraulic: offering maximum power with minimal effort, hydraulic crimpers supply hydraulic fuel to produce their compression power and are found in various industrial settings.
Pneumatic: similar to hydraulic crimpers in terms of their high-level power delivery and application, compressed air-based tools come in both manual and benchtop formats.

Some of our most popular crimpers include:

Wire terminal crimpers: offer a simple, solderless electrical crimp for wire terminal connectors, making them an essential in everyday electronics.
Square crimpers: heavy-duty crimpers used on battery terminals and cable lugs. The square build makes them less susceptible to going off-center than hex crimps, thus avoiding pinching the cable.
Micro connector crimping tools: a precision tool for micro crimping, micro connector crimping tools produce a secure and dependable crimp on smaller connections.
Barrel crimp tools: a type of hand crimper designed to crimp uninsulated open barrel connectors.
22 AWG crimping tools: built for effective sealing of thicker 22 AWG wire that handles larger currents.

What is a crimp tool used for?

Crimping tools have one primary function - to create a solid bond between materials. As such, they are a fundamental tool in the electrical, mechanical and engineering industries. They're most commonly used in wire and cable installation and precision fixing of connectors and terminals for a reliable electrical connection.

Electrical crimpers are mechanically stronger than manual equivalents, with their primary use to create gas-tight crimps to protect electrical circuits from corrosion in industrial settings. Crimp tools are also regularly used to fix ferrite beads to wiring, which helps to control the flow of current and prevent interference.

Seal the deal with RS

From everyday hand crimpers to heavy-duty, industrial pneumatic and hydraulic tools, we're proud to stock one of the broadest and most comprehensive crimp tool ranges in North America. Featuring devices from only the best in the business, you can expect the highest quality from our range, alongside exceptional value.

If you have any questions about our range of crimpers or the best tool for your needs, please don't hesitate to contact our customer service team. We're always happy to help, plus you can find out more about our products via our expert hub.