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BrianG · 07.04.2009, 12:11 AM

Ha ha, 1/2 page explanation eh? Anyway, here's my 1/4 page explanation:

Crimping
It's fast; I can certainly crimp more connections than soldering. After all, it takes time to tin both sides and then solder them together. Also, crimping is easy when you have the right tools. Those are the only two pro-crimping arguments I can come up with.

Soldering
IMO, it's a better connection. Remember, wire is usually round, and the contact patch of a round object is limited when crimped. Soldering eliminates that. Also, soldering eliminates the chance of oxidation of the wires since they are more exposed (although I have seen crimps that are encased in a peanut-buttery goo to address that). Ever see a wire left bare after a year or so? Its surface is discolored and can't have the same conductivity as a fresh wire. And any increase in resistance using soldering might be attributed to the make-up of the solder. Lead-tin is probably not as good as silver (but much easier to use). Also, you have to know how to solder. Soldering also makes connector replacement easier; every time you want to replace a crimped connector, you have to cut it off and that shortens the wire each time.

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BrianG RC-Monster Admin Offline Posts: 14,609 Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Des Moines, IA	07.04.2009, 12:11 AM Ha ha, 1/2 page explanation eh? Anyway, here's my 1/4 page explanation: Crimping It's fast; I can certainly crimp more connections than soldering. After all, it takes time to tin both sides and then solder them together. Also, crimping is easy when you have the right tools. Those are the only two pro-crimping arguments I can come up with. Soldering IMO, it's a better connection. Remember, wire is usually round, and the contact patch of a round object is limited when crimped. Soldering eliminates that. Also, soldering eliminates the chance of oxidation of the wires since they are more exposed (although I have seen crimps that are encased in a peanut-buttery goo to address that). Ever see a wire left bare after a year or so? Its surface is discolored and can't have the same conductivity as a fresh wire. And any increase in resistance using soldering might be attributed to the make-up of the solder. Lead-tin is probably not as good as silver (but much easier to use). Also, you have to know how to solder. Soldering also makes connector replacement easier; every time you want to replace a crimped connector, you have to cut it off and that shortens the wire each time.