Non-Insulated Terminal Crimper — Ratchet 2.5-16mm²

Q: What does "non-insulated terminal" actually mean?
Bare copper ring, spade, fork or butt-splice terminals, no plastic sleeve around the barrel. The crimper's indent die shapes the bare copper barrel directly onto the cable strands.

Q: What cable sizes does this crimper handle?
2.5 to 16mm² (14-5 AWG) across three indent cavities. The 2.5mm² cavity suits 14-12 AWG tails, the 6mm² cavity suits 10-8 AWG, and the 10-16mm² cavity covers 7-5 AWG.

Q: Can I crimp insulated R/B/Y terminals with this?
No. The indent dies crush the plastic insulation collar on pre-insulated terminals and leave a weak joint. For pre-insulated red, blue and yellow terminals, use the [pre-insulated-terminal-crimper] with its oval die profile.

Q: How do I pick between this and the four other crimpers in the range?
This one is for bare copper non-insulated terminals (rings, forks, spades, butt splices) 2.5-16mm². For bare copper lugs 6-16mm² use the [crimping-tool-uninsulated-and-copper-cable-lugs-6-16mm2]; for larger bare lugs 6-50mm² use the hex-die [crimping-tool-copper-cable-lugs-hex-6-50mm2]; for very large lugs up to 70mm² use the [hydrualic-lug-crimper-up-to-70mm2]; for pre-insulated terminals 0.5-16mm² use the [pre-insulated-terminal-crimper] with oval dies.

Q: What does "indent crimp" or "W-crimp" mean?
The die pushes a V-shaped indent into one side of the terminal barrel, folding the barrel wall into the cable strands. The resulting cross-section looks like a W. It's the standard crimp profile for bare copper lugs and non-insulated terminals under DIN 46234/46235.

Q: Why does the ratchet lock mid-stroke?
The ratchet forces the full crimp cycle so you can't under-crimp. It engages progressively through the stroke and releases at full close. If you need to abort before full close, pull the side-release lever.

Q: How do I pick the right cavity for my terminal?
Match the cavity to the terminal's bare copper barrel size, not the cable size. Each terminal is stamped with its size (e.g. "16" for 16mm²). Put the terminal in the matching cavity; the cable size follows from there.

Q: Can I crimp aluminium lugs with this?
No. The indent die is sized for copper. Aluminium needs its own tool and dies — the alloy work-hardens differently and will crack a copper-cavity crimp.

Q: Can I crimp bare copper lugs with ring ends too?
It will crimp smaller cable lugs within 2.5-16mm², yes, but the hex-die [crimping-tool-uninsulated-and-copper-cable-lugs-6-16mm2] gives a cleaner finish on round lug barrels. Non-insulated terminals (short-barrel ring/spade) are what the indent die is sized for.

Q: Will the dies wear out?
The dies are fixed to the jaws, not replaceable. In normal workshop use they last years. If the crimp starts coming out loose, inspect the die faces for burrs and compare against a fresh terminal.