Re: Solder vs. Crimp

["Bernard Littau" <bernardl@acumenassociates.com>]

>Anyone have contrary opinions to the latest Quarterly article asserting
>'technical inferiority of a soldered joint' over a crimped one?
>Specifically the idea that when crimping 'wires are fused together'
>while soldering 'wires are stuck together'?

All I can do to shed light on this is to pass along what the marine industry
recommends, which is crimp over solder.

My personal opinion is that a good solder joint will be superior to anything
else.  However, a good solder joint is hard to come by and harder to test
for.  Crimp joints are very consistent if you use good tools.  I now use a
compound crimp tool that make consistent joints that are as good or superior
to any solder joint I can do.

The way I see it:  Solder can be superb, but it takes art.  Crimp can be
superb with good tools.   You pick what the average worker can do better.
YMMV.

Bernard Littau
Woodinville, WA
'88 5kcstq