Good crimping tools are expensive, still require a level of skill from the operator and crimp joints are susceptible to corrosion with expose to water. Solder joints should be cheaper, can be less operator dependent, not susceptible to water corrosion and can be more easily repaired/reconfigured.

So for a beginner (such as myself) you would recommend solder joints over crimped?

Crimping is favored by industry because saves time and can produce a quality product in large production runs, when done correctly.

Easy to get a few terminals and insulated wire and try solder. For very few dollars you can test/develop your skill level. Crimped at work, had the tools, solder at home saved the cost of the tools and still get reliable connections.

magg wrote:Crimping is favored by industry because saves time and can produce a quality product in large production runs, when done correctly.

Easy to get a few terminals and insulated wire and try solder. For very few dollars you can test/develop your skill level. Crimped at work, had the tools, solder at home saved the cost of the tools and still get reliable connections.

this is good advice.

the marketplace is flooded with plenty of low qualtiy crimp terminals. Decent quality solder terminals properly insulated and soldered should last a long time.