RC Tips: Crimping connectors (Dupont, Servo, Picoblade and Molex)

[@juggalizzle75]

Great job! A tip i might offer... It can be difficult to twist really short lengths of small wire easily. I learned to cut of the insulation father back, twisting the wire well then clipping the exposed portion of wire to your desired length. Then you only need to retwist the very tip and it's ready to crimp.

[@fpvcrumudgeon4576]

Watched this yesterday after previously trying to crimp a Dupont connector on and failing miserably (it really depends on who's videos you watch!!! lol) Today I have replaced a JST -> JR connector, and tomorrow will create a xt60 -> JR plug. The JST->JR went perfectly but for not having the female end. The key for me was your suggestion to crimp the wire first, allowing it to be "registered" by the cover tabs. I'm a happy camper. My degrees are in EE and I finally figured out how to wire a battery! lol Cheers!

[@BinderDundat]

Best crimping tutorial and the 2 step crimp, wire first and insulation second is a great idea.

[@mikem8145]

Congrats on that nice tutorial. And thank you for not using annoying music in the background like so many people are doing on KZbin.

[@BillyG869]

Experience from the aerospace industry, like you can fix a satellite once its launched. Everything is a soldered harness, unless it comes apart or in modular form. You need to qualify that for all our hobby and the typical amateur electronics affictionato crimping correctly is just as critical to perform as a good solder joint. They both have their place. You do incredible work, thank you, please never quit..

[@tinkeringwithelectronics]

Had just bought a kit off of Amazon and was successful in making single crimps but it felt like luck. Doing your double crimp method, you know you have a good crimp each time. I just got back from the shop and did 4 in a row and they looked great. Thanks for the time to put this together.

[@richardhayes200]

Excellent! Really well and clearly presented (with no crappy music!). Your enthusiasm comes through. Thanks a lot. I have no doubt you will provide a continuation to the brilliant work of Bruce Simpson who is sadly so ill. I wish him well.

[@Painless360]

Sounds like you're new to the channel. Welcome!

[@richardhayes200]

@@Painless360 Yes indeed! Thanks.

[@jstro-hobbytech]

Thank you for the video and a camera that stayed in focus.

[@Painless360]

You are welcome. Filming close up stuff is tricky without expensive kit.. Happy flying

[@youtubecopyrights]

The first proper tutorial on crimping I found. Thanks a lot for the time and detail you put into this!

[@wherami]

this is the greatest crimping video on yt. thank you

[@paulus842000]

Just got a kit and was struggling. Tried your advice and it was much easier to crimp. Thanks

[@mistergolf8439]

from thailand, thank you so much i've waste about 100 connector and not suceess until see your video. i'll sucscribe you bro.

[@jaytee3287]

Ahh finally, now I understand which tool I need to crimp picoblade! Thank you

[@jeremybaity7002]

Top notch eye candy. The doors that open once you get crimping down is endless. So much cleaner and saves so much money. Silicone insulated hookup wire and many types of jst's make life great.

[@flyfishingpiper4976]

Absolutely the best crimping explanation video out there!!! Thank you so much for your time!!!

[@waltermercado2937]

This is fabulous for the common person that can't or is not good at soldering a connection,, even with electronics engineering training. A proper solder connection will always be a better mechanical and electrical connection than just a simple crimp.

[@Teatime_Tim]

Thank you so much for this video. I saw a guide for modding a video game controller to make its cable removable which required adding a plug to the end of the cable. I bought many spare parts but wasn't able to get a strong crimp even after a few dozen attempts. The guide was vague and made it seem as though the bit that goes around the insulation was what held the crimp tight. Your video helped me understand what I should actually be aiming for, and now my crimps are tight and reliable. Thank you!!

[@lucid5994]

Wooo, I am featured in the video, thanks for listening :D

[@bonce]

Had some old crimping tools and been having huge issues getting them to do anything, turns out they were WAY too big for duponts/molex etc! I can finally get on and get a new pair that are the right size and start crimping properly! :)

[@bonce]

... :) it gets better, after ordering a new pair I was tidying up and found an ancient pair of RS non-ratcheted ones... After cleaning them up and having a go I can crimp! I can FINALLY crimp! (and I cancelled the order)

[@stampap2551]

Very helpful video!!! I bought the tools and today I changed the plug of my KingKong tiny 6 from JST PH 1.25 to JST PH 2.00. Awesome tools!

[@BrianPhillipsRC]

Nice video! Wish I would have found this video before I tried [unsuccessfully] many, many times before getting the hang of it through trial and error. I agree with virtually everything except the part about how a crimp is better than a solder joint. I believe there are advantages to both styles and as with most all electrical processes, there's a proper time and place for both...but I totally appreciate your opinion and the basis for your arguments. I personally work in a heavy industrial environment, for my day job, then I do the super-duper small stuff at home...so I get to see advantages of both :) P.S. I wish my hobbyking crimper were setup WITHOUT a ratchet. I HATE the ratchet...why do they have it????!!?!?!?? P.P.S. This is one of the hardest things to film, and you did a very nice job of keeping items on screen and IN focus!!! Definitely easier said than done!

[@meenasudhanshu]

Beautifully explained.

[@KAREKINFPV]

Thank you so much for this. I'm working on a beauty build and I need all of the connectors to have the same colored wires, so I need to connect a vista with all white wires perfectly into the FC plug port. I'm hoping the picoblades will be small enough.

[@SolarPoweredGardener]

Nice video. Thought I was doing okay with my crimping but will give your way a go as it looks like it will give a more consistent crimp. I use a ratchet type, and once you start you have to finish it so you need to get it right first go. With the small ones I tend to use pre-wired ones and join to them but I usually solder the wire to them. As you say not such a good idea but it does tend to keep things a bit tidier.

[@Painless360]

Indeed, this is a skill like anything else. At least this way I can be positive that the conductor is really in there.. Happy flying!

[@andrewthompson7867]

followed you for rc stuff and found you again for electronics whilst reconnecting connectors on crypto miner PSU,s. MAKING LEARNING FUN ,BLESS.

[@michaelkrailo5725]

Just needed to see the actual crimping process @8:44 in the video. I had forgot how to use my crimping tool and this video was perfect showing the orientation of the back of the wings sitting on top of the mountain so to speak. The small set of wings fit up into the upside down valley. This worked perfectly for me the first time trying it in many years. The actual pin to crimp goes in on the side of the tool that does not show the size markings. That's what confused me prior to seeing this video. I kept trying to imagine using that side of the tool which is incorrect.

[@JHTPPX]

Yet again all pure Gold info!!! Thanks.

[@mustseenow991]

great clear concise video

[@hareksu]

Great video. One thing I wondered about: is there a particular reason you don't use ratcheting crimpers? I have had problems with those sometimes crimping the connector too flat so it sticks out to the side and doesn't fit the servo connector housing anymore. I've wondered if a manual crimper where you control the pressure wouldn't be better.

[@Painless360]

Crimping both the conductor and sleeve crimps at the same time can look like a good crimp, but actually only be a good crimp on the insulator. Many of the wires we use in the hobby are much smaller than the typical servo sized conductors these are designed for so they need to be folded in half (or even three!) to fill the crimp to make a solid electrical connection. I like to ensure that that is good, before then crimping onto the insulation. Ratchet tools I've seen don't let you do that.. Happy flying!

[@hankscorpio42069]

Thanks for sharing this. I would love to just buy pre-crimped molex panelmate leads but I don't think they exist. Guess I'll just have to buy extra crimps for practice until I figure it out 😂

[@HenriBrownell]

As always, you sir, are the man. Thank you!

[@paulbizard3493]

Thanks. Another nice video that would be mostly appreciated I think would be a video about all the different connectors we use in our hobby (JST, JR, Molex, Dean, XT, MPX,...) and some links to where we can buy them. I have them all mixed up in my head. 🙃☹

[@Painless360]

Thanks for the idea, I will add it to the list!

[@jamesceastep8874]

Lee: Your focus & saturation on all your macro illustrations were exemplary and your verbal descriptions very clear. I'm glad you mentioned the need to fold the tiniest wires back over the insulation to increase the overall diameter of the crimp and reduce flexing, distributing the forces over the insulation too. I have found that my purchases of Dupont crimp metal is less maleable & subject to fracture of the crimped metal, than the servo connectors crimps supplied for Futaba keyed brand of servo connectors. They cost a little more, but are much more reliable in my hands. You can recognize them by the slight copper color to the crimped portion of the metal. Do you have any tips on surface mount soldering? I have found this area dumbfounding! - Jim

[@Painless360]

Thanks James, crimps come in lots of quality levels. I've not done much SM soldering here so I'm not an expert. Best of luck!

[@flyboy5736]

Excellent video, really well explained and demonstrated. I've been crimping servo connectors for years, so I should know what I'm talking about right? WRONG, I have bodged so many it's laughable. The secret I now understand is not to try and crimp both the cable and wires at the same time. So a BIG thank you; all your videos are of a very high standard. (No, I'm not Donald Trump even though I use capitals.........)

[@Painless360]

+Flyboy :) happy flying and crimping!

[@JasperTielen]

Thanks Lee, I've been waiting for this for a while.

[@Painless360]

Thanks Jasper, I've been working up to it ;)

[@haroldland4620]

Very clear and well filmed thanks a lot :)

[@jaynelson4175]

When I started teaching students to "twist" the stranded wires I had to adjust my wording. I told a student to twist the stranded he really twisted them, like a spring. I changed my wording to comb the strands. No more springs. I've played with electricity since about 6th grade I just assumed everyone knew what "twist" the wires meant.

[@Painless360]

I'd have taught him what 'twist' means instead ;) When I started enginnering I always thought that calling things like steel 'material' was weird as 'material' was something you make clothes out of! Happy flying!

[@Rayshader]

Very helpful indeed! Thank you!

[@hughhemington9559]

Whether soldering or crimping wires, FINGER OIL on the conductors is either going to exacerbate corrosion in a crimped connection, or inhibit solder flow on soldered connections.

[@fpvcrumudgeon4576]

Those wire strippers belong in a museum!

[@Painless360]

Thanks Dr Jones!

[@Peterseng24]

A museum is a place to show “things” that work and these strippers work VERY well. Had mine for over 40 years and still using them. 🇦🇺

[@IceCreams62]

Thanks a lot for this video, awesome as usually !!!

[@unclebuck5957]

Thanks for this great video. Great for new to the hobby people

[@virustwin]

this helped me SO much. Thanks mate

[@jagadishk4513]

Thank god for this video.

[@72PSI]

Thank you very much.

[@BtownFlyer]

I bought a kit from Hanson Hobbies and the crimps look good but they are very hard to get into the housing.

[@petter7085]

After crimped the connector, should better do soldering for secure avoiding wire loosen? Or unnecessary to do so? Please advise…

[@Painless360]

If you have crimped the connector well, that is not necessary. Happy flying!

[@petter7085]

@@Painless360 Thanks!

[@superdon1chw]

Thanks

[@musica8822]

Mil gracias por la información👍🏻

[@davidmg1925]

Thanks for sharing.

[@M4rkmcc21]

Would u bother popping some solder on that connector for added piece of mind or just leave it like that? It's for an RC plane so needs to be 100% sure.

[@Painless360]

I don't add solder as that can cause problems. Happy flying!

[@francsahuc2121]

excellent !

[@victordangelo5087]

Friend, first congratulations for the video. I'm from Brazil and I enjoy a lot. Now, taking advantage of it, it leaves me a doubt. Do both the Molex and Dupont connectors work on the same tool?

[@Painless360]

Id' check the listing for the crimps you're looking at using. I've not used those with these here..

[@fredericofernandes5170]

Yes, is the same tool

[@carlosalbertoandradesilva9442]

thanks a lot, very well done work!

[@himbary]

This is the way

[@anthonymarino4260]

Always learning thanks

[@greenpedal370]

At long last someone talking sense.

[@paulg5437]

Nice clear instructions. Question: do you know where to buy multi--pin JR housings (male&female) to reduce on the wing to body rats nest that often occurs when you have ailerons, flaps and so on?

[@Painless360]

I tend to order all of those things from eBay.. Happy flying!

[@andresabrego269]

wild be glad to see a link to a cheap but consistent crimper, I bought one months ago an it kinda *****.

[@brians85]

Been using the Engineer PA-09 crimps for a few years now. Red crimps in the video.

[@sloppydoggy9257]

I can't ever seen to get a perfectly symmetrical crimp on the wire... I manage to close the seam, but I don't get that beautiful heart point, one side ends up sort of driving into the other side.

[@Painless360]

Possibly the crimper? Best of luck!

[@LucasEdwards]

Great video! I have one question, will the crimper you use be able to crimp the molex Milli-Grid crimps?

[@Painless360]

Not sure, I've not tied.. Sorry.

[@LucasEdwards]

@@Painless360 Thanks anyway! :-) Again, I really enjoyed your video!

[@JimN5QL]

the people at Power Pole Connectors did extensive tests that show, besides the reason Lee mentioned, that a crimp connector has less electrical resistance than a solder connection.

[@Painless360]

Thanks for posting that Jim, glad to see my instructors from back when I was taught to be an electronics engineer weren't talking out their hats ;)

[@JimN5QL]

Painless360 sometime in one of your videos make mention of how you open those tiny Ziplock bags. I see so many people trying to pull them apart in the middle which is a pain in the butt.

[@Painless360]

+Jim Clark will do :)

[@fufs8121]

Yeah, try to crimp battery leads!

[@timothyblaine2748]

Do you have a video that shows you crimping a picoblade crimp? I'm having issues holding the crimp to get the tool on it.

[@nilshv]

Great video!! Do you have a link on the blue crimp tool? there are tonns on ebay, but many of them are not good. Yours seams pretty good.

[@Painless360]

Sorry I don't. I've had mine for years.,

[@RCdiy]

Awesome:) could you please post links in the description to the tools...

[@Painless360]

+RCdiy both were from eBay..

[@viswanathaniyer2372]

good video

[@MichaelHarto]

Lol, i crimp those small JST crimps with a larger crimp tool. The one that looks like a ratchet😂. It's hard, but the smaller tools don't work well.

[@RichardNBaker]

Great videos; one question, however - are you going to do a set-up video on the latest Naze 32? The settings seem so totally different!

[@Painless360]

Doubtful, see the video on flight controller comparisons from a week ago. I've setup lots of newer F3 based board in Betaflight so those later series may be more relevant for you. Best of luck!

[@glytch5]

Have you ever tried the ratcheting crimpers that are actually meant to do JST HX connectors? I wonder if they work any better. Damn manual crimpers are 40 bucks.

[@mitchl6127]

Crimpin' ain't easy

[@Painless360]

With the right tools and practice it's not too bad (isn't that the case with most things in life though?) ;)

[@LynxStarAuto]

Painless360 lol you missed the joke. Probably because you are not an immature Murican 😆

[@ctskidoo]

@@LynxStarAuto oy

[@hiperionnick5222]

CHI =1.50

[@lastmanoftomorrow2840]

Mitch L but it sure is fun sucker run when they see your real son

[@justinneumann1492]

would the pa09 be suitable for the jst xh crimps on battery balance leads? or should just go the cheaper ratchet style for those?

[@Painless360]

Personally I'd never use ratchet. You can get what feels like a good crimp that's actually a poor connection doing both parts of the crimp at once.. Best of luck!

[@dickysoeliantoro5576]

Still cannot find affordable JST-SH 1.0 crimp tool. 😢

[@Painless360]

Most use the Engineer PA 09... Best of luck

[@dickysoeliantoro5576]

@@Painless360 the narrowest teeth os 1mm? Does it go below that?

[@Painless360]

Full specs on the Amazon listing: bit.ly/3l3iBOT

[@wdavie27]

Painless360 hi lee can you tell me when you replace one motor do I have to calibrate the esc & motors again

[@Painless360]

+William Davie I would, that new record needs to be setup.. Best of luck!

[@ry0k904]

This thing is so small, I would rather die than miserably fail doing this. I guess I'm just gonna buy a new one then. Nice Video anyway!

[@thomasneff376]

Haha I've been soldering these to the end of my wires since I don't have a crimping tool yet.

[@SanDoval201970]

thank you so much

[@DamnDealDone]

Which tool for 26 to 28 awg wires into dupont connectors for console modding? Thanks

[@Painless360]

Not sure, but the servo connectors that I'm using here are Dupont connectors too..

[@superdau]

*Don't get the cheap crimping tools from ebay (that cost around 15€)* . Even if the item pictures show differently, they all seem to have cast jaws and not machined ones as they should be. The cast jaws are so inaccurate that they don't fold the flaps, they just crush them. Even normal pliers will get you better results than that.

[@Painless360]

Very true. You get what you pay for with these things. The PA-09 Seem to be pretty good..

[@mynameisprivate158]

Don't be a crimper snob

[@anthonymarino4260]

nice vid

[@youtubejack]

can you fix tbs immortal t ufl ipex connector? is there a crimp tool?

[@Painless360]

I'm guessing there must be one but I've not got one..

[@darkhorsewebdesign]

Thanks, nice and clear video, commented to make 100 8-)

[@madmarty7103]

I've got the feeling that some of these ratchet crimping tools are just rubbish. I bought one from hobbyking and either it's bending and crushing my connectors or it can't make any tight enough connection.

[@Painless360]

I'm not a fan of them at all - I guess I'm too 'old school' now ;)

[@markfruechtel132]

If you know how to solder correctly, then soldering is fantastic.

[@justdoit-d9f]

Thank you very mch Let me save money

[@scottthompson2481]

Your local hobby shop will also have all these components and tools , we shall be sorry when the local hobby shop is a thing of the past ........

[@sl66ggehrubt]

So... I go to my LHS. They are far less help than a rudimentary KZbin search. Their selection and prices are horrible. What exactly is lost when they close up shop?

[@mynameisprivate158]

Yes lets go back to the days where you have to travel 30 miles out to your local hobby shop where you pay 3 times the price for specialty goods and get limited selection. Even better they don't have what your need and it will take 3-6 weeks to order it. Nope Amazon can have whatever I need here in 48 hours, it is cheaper, faster and if I have any problem they have super easy returns!!!! No way I want to go back to the old ways!!!!

[@ShaunYap_98]

Dang, here in Malaysia parts are generally cheaper. I redid my computer's on switch, and needed the connector (DuPont) which I didn't know what it was in the beginning. Despite them giving me an alt name for the connector (JS something), I got what I needed for fairly cheap RM1 for about 10, while online is about RM3/4 sans shipping for about 100. For now, I get to ride the waves of the Arduino craze for parts

[@viswanathaniyer2372]

A good viedeo

[@SpikeJonesTheCr0oked]

Wait crimping is better than soldering...mind blown.

[@RealClevelandBrown]

Bloods don't like Crimps

[@joshmellon390]

While I sit in front of a pile of airplane, with a crimping tool..

[@Painless360]

Best of luck! I'd practice a little before doing it for real...

[@naughtyhorses]

Yikes m8! crimps v solder??? solder every time...if you do it right!

[@viswanathaniyer2372]

good video