Standards, Crimpers, and Goo

[MR MITCHELL L OATES <RRKR45A@PRODIGY.COM>]

     Jesus Christ, all the *experts* came out of the woodwork on this one!
     As far as which tool to use, every mechanic has his own preferred tool
or method for doing a particular job. Some carry around a crescent hammer
in their back pocket and use it for almost everything. Others will raise
holy hell if you even mention using an adjustable and insist on using the
right size combination wrench. It depends on what they are comfortable
using, what they are skilled at using, what gives them the best results,
and what gives them the most bang for the buck. Also, each particular tool
is only as good as the quality built into it. Even with combination
wrenches, you can buy the cheap chrome-moly off-brand stuff that will round
off or break the first time you use it, or you can buy something like Sears
Craftsman. Most PROFESSIONAL MECHANICS (ie, like Mike Brown) have to buy
the tools of their trade out of their own pocket, and if they can buy a
tool that will give them reliable service and results at a tenth the cost
of a different method, guess which one they will use.
     With any tool, it comes down to skill, practice, and RTFI (Read The
Frigging Instructions). I've seen people screw up connections with a hex
crimper because they didn't read the instructions and didn't practice with
the crimper before it came time to make up the actual cables they were
going to put in the vehicle. Also, unless you have a place to mount one of
the hex crimpers to a bench and have to use it freehand, you're going to
get one heck of an upper body workout if you have a lot of connections to
make, which can be a problem for those people who are not as physically
formidable as others. And an exercise in creative gymnastics if you don't
have something to securely hold the cable while you're trying to manuever
the crimpers into place and keep the lug from moving out of the position
you want it in. In these cases, a hammer crimper which sits on a hard flat
surface, where you can lay the cable and lug into it, and only need the
physical ability to swing a 2 lb sledge, fits the bill.
     As far as the goo, this is outside my area of expertise, but from what
I've seen on the list so far it seems to come down to a matter of personal
experience and preference as to it's use, and doesn't seem to make any
difference as to the conductivity of a good connection. After all, it's
there to prevent CORROSION, not make a better connection.
     As far as the post on SAE standards and bolts, that read like an
outright insult towards Mike Brown. Mike was pretty restrained in his
response compared to what I would have said if someone had insinuated the
same thing about my work. Hell, I sent people to Captain's Mast for trying
to pull the same thing as proposed in that post while I was on active duty.
Mike has something like over 30 years experience as an automotive mechanic,
with 18 of those with electrics. You don't survive that long as a mechanic
by doing substandard work, because word of mouth does get around. I've read
his books, watched his videos, and talked to him in person last year at
Phoenix. The man knows his business, and lets his work do his talking for
him. If he made me a set of cables using his hammer crimper, I'd use them
without a second thought because I trust his skills as a mechanic, even
though I own my own hex crimper.

                                           Mitch Oates
Standards, Crimpers, and Goo