Hydraulic crimper tool CK12

We just used this for project, kit worked great for the first 12 crimps. After that it was difficult to produce good crimps. Needed players to close and open the valve. We could not complete the job. I just miisseed the return window. I’m very disappointed ☹️ ☹️☹️

The crimpers are a critical part of the Muzata cabling system. The cable cutters are unbelievable at cutting the cabling cleanly and without any real force.

Great tool and effective for intended purpose. I can't imagine trying to do wire railing crimps without a tool like this (eg: with a manual crimping tool). Although there are a few negatives (see below), I highly recommend this tool. A few suggestions to make this tool even better: 1. Provide a lever instead of a knob for the hydraulic valve. The extra leverage provided by a lever would make this even easier to use. 2. Leave some space in the provided carry box for a pair of cable snips so that all tools needed to attach the wire railing can be kept together in one carry box. Even when bought as a package, which I did, the snips are separate and won't fit in the box. Now for the negatives: 1. There are some extra parts provided (replacement seals), but no instructions on how to do the replacement. Thanks for the parts, but what good are they without instructions to do the replacement? 2. The instruction manual has no indication of company name, address, or contact info. Thankfully Muzata does have a pretty good website with support options. They seem to take a lot of pride in their products and customer support, but this pride is not reflected in their user manual. 3. Several grammar issues in the manual. Not uncommon for manuals translated to English, but could be resolved with attention to detail. 4. Downloadable PDF manuals would also be a nice touch and relatively easy to do. Would save me scanning in the paper copy (I save all my paperwork as PDFs on my computer - much easier to find when I need it). The above few negatives are the only things that kept me from rating this tool 5 stars. And a few usage suggestions: 1. When crimping, place the hydraulic barrel against a stable surface (floor, worktable, stair, etc) so that you can put your weight into operating the lever. Even though hydraulically assisted, it still takes some manual force to fully crimp the connection. 2. Before inserting the joint to be crimped, close the jaws as far as you can, leaving just enough space to insert the crimp item. Otherwise you'll be struggling to keep the crimp item centered correctly in the jaws for many strokes of the lever. 3. The lag ends have enough crimp area for 2 crimps. I double crimped all of mine. I didn't see anything about this in the Muzata literature, but saw it in one of the independent YouTube videos and thought it was a good idea. 4. Crimps take between 3-4 full strokes of the lever. You can tell when it's done as the lever resistance immediately increases dramatically. 5. Once done crimping and you are opening the hydraulic valve to open the jaws, only let the jaws open just far enough to withdraw the crimped part and insert the next one to be crimped. This will save you LOTS of lever strokes and time closing the jaws on the next crimp end to be done. I hope this review and my suggestions help you to successfully complete your wire railing project.

low quality built. the C-Style Head bent after couple crimp. now the two dies only touch on one side and gap never close. you could press harder but the C-Style Head will bend more. Do not buy.

Well worth the purchase

The cutters are awesome. Clean no fray ends Had to belt sand some face material off the crimp dies to get enough crimp. Can’t imagine trying to use a manual crimper

Excellent crimper (make sure the base is tight or it will leak). Good quality crimps every time. The cutter was sharp at first with very clean cuts but definitely losing its edge by the end of my deck project.

If you read the many reviews you will learn people have had mixed success with this tool. There are some things to learn. The most important detail for the installer is; "how much compression is required on the fitting to produce a long-lasting, slip free connection". You will not find this information on the tool, it's enclosed manual, or the manufacturer's video. Another reviewer gave excellent details on doing the best you can...burp air out of the tool if needed and try a 'waste' fitting. You should feel significant resistance at five to six pumps. More than that and you either have air in the system, are low on oil, or were one of the unlucky few to receive clamping dies that are out of tolerance. Do not waste your time installing any fittings if you do not experience significant resistance within five or six pumps after the dies have closed on the fittings. It works best to lay the tool on its back on a piece of scrap wood, hold the wire-fitting with one hand, and pump the handle up and down with the other hand. It is easier to deliver consistent pressure in this fashion. If you pump beyond the point of 'significant pressure' you will blow out the seals. The available fittings are excellent. They do not, however, provide any information on compression data. The standard residential 1/4-inch wire is also pretty small. If kids are going to stand and jump up and down on your wires I'd go with a larger diameter. Consider: 1) some reputable rigging companies sell mechanical hand crimpers. These work flawlessly and come with feeler gauges to confirm that the fittings have been compressed sufficiently to hold. 2) If all your wire runs are going to be the same length consider having all the wires and fittings put together by a local wire rigging shop. The do an excellent job. If you buy their fittings they'll typically loan or rent you a superior tool to complete the compressions. You won't regret the additional cost. 3) If you read the more than 50 reviews for this tool, do some test swages, and work carefully you can do a good job.

Works great handy storage and I have completed two cabins with it

This item failed on the fifth crimp and will now not work at all. I have had to give one star to enable me to submit problem

I bought the Muzata custom hydraulic crimper tool kit to build a metal handrail, and I’m really impressed with the quality. The only drawback is that they could of made the handles a little longer to help it make easier to compress the crimps. But very good product

It works well, I would pump till I experienced the pressure release. The first one released the cable as I never pressed end hard enough to hold the cable in under tension.

product works as promised...well-priced and quick delivery