DIN cable connection tool

[edexlab]

Does anyone know of a tool for tightening up the barrel of DIN type cable connectors
Company I work for now uses a lot of this type of connection often with limited access for fingers

I've seen a phoenix contact version with a hex screwdriver and a cam which slides on to the end , this hooks on to the barrel and you turn it like a normal screwdriver but it oscillates around the fitting

Just wondered if there were other more cost effective versions available ???

Sizes are typically M8 to M16
[automerge]1579212898[/automerge]
This is the tool I've seen

 

[PEG]

Hi,i would search the DIN fitting manufacturers catalogue,higher end stuff,and see if any tooling is listed. They look like flare-nut crows feet,hex or bi-hex,but with a bit-hex drive female.

Any top drawer maker,snap-on,etc,is going to be expensive,but there will probably be a Chinese alternative.

If you want to be the cock-of-the-walk....you could make yourself a set up,out of a cheap 1/4" drive long reach socket set. Just slot and smooth all the way up to the drive,there is enough flex in the cable to accommodate,and you would have more clearance,than the tool you show.

Pop a hex to 1/4" adapter in your screwdriver,or use a 1/4" driver.

Confirm the actual size A/F,of the hex nut,as some have spurious or imperial leanings

Years back,i made a set of these up,in half a dozen large,imperial sizes,with 12" HT steel tube slotted extensions,to enable hydraulic pipes to be removed and replaced,in the middle of a bank of other pipes. It saved them all coming off,to gain access,and all the oil,bleeding and time that went with it....

A visiting engineer,from JLG,come to do a warranty job,begged me to lend them to him,so he could "measure and photograph them..." - never saw them again

If i ever find he has fallen awkwardly,bottom first,on a fishing umbrella,and i get there before the ambulance......i WILL, be opening it...

 

[edexlab]

You don't sound at all vindictive Peg !

Yes I thought the same
ie slot some long reach sockets or box spanners, not sure they'd work on some as they have knurling and a less definitive hexagonal shape, but I'll probably try this first

 

[PEG]

Yes,i remembered the knurled option....you could use what used to be called"Spark-plug Pliers",these have a pair of semi-circle offset ends,and usually a plastic non-slip coating,but not ideal for all sizes.

The trouble with a knurled fitting,is it normally denotes use by hand only,so manufacturer would not specify tightening by tool.

 

[edexlab]

I know what your saying , the Phoenix contact version does work on both types, the knurled ones I've seen have a slight hex shape and there's an edge the hook catches on allowing it to turn although I'm not sure if it's meant to be used on this type
Just as ever with specialist tools the catch is a price of plus £100, I've just seen a Chinese copy for a fraction so I'm possibly going to order one and trial it

 

[davesparks]

Would a plumbers basin/tap wrench style tool work?

They should be cheap enough, you would have to be careful not to overtighten though as they are obviously designed for water clowns to cross thread and overtighten nuts with

 

[edexlab]

Design is ok i do have one but I don't think they are small enough , connector sizes we use are M8 to M12 ,
M16 is used but tightening these isn't bad as usually more space around them

However some of the newer machines all sensor cables are connected to the side of the panel with quite tight formations of sockets for example 5 across and 20 vertically, spacing of 30 - 40mm centres this is in a tight space also

When first installing it's not too bad but when you need to take one out in the middle you end up disconnecting a few to get to it

Also use a lot of the block shown in the pic

 

[Lister1987]

1st screenshot lookalike a Wera tool so start there

 

[PEG]

1st screenshot lookalike a Wera tool so start there

I think the driver is Wera,but adapter is other...in truth,i bet the picture is a Wera copy,loads about.

 

[edexlab]

The driver is Wera rebadged as Phoenix contact and slightly different colour

I have looked at Wera tools they have the driver but I haven't seen the teardrop cam that goes with it ( interchangeable two sizes)

 

[telectrix]

what's wrong with using a hammer?

 

[edexlab]

what's wrong with using a hammer?

Tried that didn't go well!
[automerge]1579380218[/automerge]
Think I'm going to try a low tech version of a box spanner with one side cut off
I have a cheap one I'll butcher first

Also I'm going to get a couple of cheap 12 point crowsfoot spanner 8mm 12mm 16mm and a 3/8 " drive screwdriver and see how they work

I've got an idea of making a single tool with a spring loaded part so that it fits multiple sizes , just got to think about how exactly I'm going to go about it

Last time I tried inventing something I came up with a design, took several weeks of on and off thinking about it and lots of sketching and screwing up paper before i had a design i thought was pretty good

The tool was intended to be used when wiring DB's ie crimp/ strip/ bend / crop wires so a single tool replacing snips , croppers etc

Finally got something I thought would work and was planning on approaching a manufacturer with the idea when I saw the Knipex installation pliers which were very similar but probably better than my idea

More ripping and screwing up of paper and I bought one myself!

 

[Lister1987]

The driver is Wera rebadged as Phoenix contact and slightly different colour

I have looked at Wera tools they have the driver but I haven't seen the teardrop cam that goes with it ( interchangeable two sizes)

Have you approached Wera Knipex et all and asked if they have such a tool?