Smoker's Custom Motard

[shinyribs]

I use one of the pencil torches that Harbor Freight sells. Used to be about $8 and using a flame gives damn near instant joints.

[Larry02ACR]

I've always used these crimp splices and good heat shrink, but the money you would save on a soldering iron would be spent on a crimping tool...




http://www.cycleterminal.com/splice-terminals.html


Always a trade off. With solder you have to make sure you get a good hot, shiny joint, and with the crimps you have to make sure that they are crimped properly so the wires cannot pull free.

As to which is better? You'll find differing opinions on it, but keep in mind the manufacturers pretty much crimp everything... YMMV.

[shinyribs]

OEM's dont have the time to solder joints. They are pumping out stuff fast as they can sell it. They also don't want their products to last forever, putting them out of a job. Nothing against crimps, just playing Devil's Advocate. There's arguments for & against both methods. I do both depending on what I'm doing.

[Smoker]

I'm afraid of using crimp splices, only because of lack of experience.

I did a little wire soldering in Bancroft Junior High electric shop.

Thanks, Larry for helping me along.

I might I have one of those pencil torches somewhere. Will poke around and see if I can find it.

[Larry02ACR]

Originally Posted by shinyribs

There's arguments for & against both methods. I do both depending on what I'm doing.

That there is. I think the most important thing is, if you are doing crimps, get a good crimping tool and make sure your crimps are done properly. If you are doing solder, make sure you don't get cold joints. I'd support either with quality heat shrink regardless.

This is a pretty good article about it:

https://millennialdiyer.com/articles...imp-or-solder/

[Larry02ACR]

Originally Posted by Smoker

I'm afraid of using crimp splices, only because of lack of experience.

With a good crimper and a little practice, they are much easier and faster than soldering.

I believe each method has it's proper place, but with stranded wire in a possibly high heat and high vibration area I personally prefer crimping.

Shiny's right though, everyone is going to have their preference and reasons for one method or another.