A new, beefier quick change mechanism, longer handles, and easy to use release mechanism make the Quick Change die tool found in this kit 18980 and kit 18960 far superior to the Screw mounted die tool found in kit 18920.
As of the date of this review, Tool-Aid sells three ratcheting terminal crimping kits:
S & G Tool Aid 18920 Ratcheting Terminal Crimping Kit- 5 Piece
Kit 18920 - Screw mounted die tool (18926) with five dies:
18921 For insulated terminals 22-10 AWG
18922 For non insulated open barrel connectors 22-10 AWG including Weatherpack terminals
18923 For fully insulated quick disconnect terminals with thinner wire barrels 22-10 AWG
18924 For non insulated terminals 22-8 AWG
18925 For miniature insulated rings, spade and butt splices 26-16 AWG
S&G Tool Aid 18960 Quick Change Ratcheting Terminal Crimping Kit
Kit 18960 - Quick change die tool (18972) with seven dies:
All of the dies in kit 18920 plus…
18928 For RG-6 and RG-59 coaxial cable
18929 For 8mm and 8.5mm spiral core spark plug wire. Strips the insulation, crimps the spiral core to the spark plug terminal and crimps the terminal to the spark plug wire insulation.
SG Tool Aid SGT18980 Ratcheting Terminal Crimping Kit (Quick Change with 9 Die Sets)
Kit 18980 - Quick change die tool (18972) with nine dies:
All of the dies in kit 18960 plus …
18937 For 30-18 AWG non insulated open barrel terminals
18938 For 22-14 AWG insulated flag terminals
There are major differences between the Quick change die tool found in kit 18960 and kit 18980 and the Screw mounted die tool found in kit 18920.
1) The handle on the Quick change die tool is 1.25” longer providing *significantly* more torque.
2) The release lever on the Quick change die tool is located on top and easy to use even when under load. The release lever on the Screw mounted die tool is located between the handles and is almost impossible to use when the tool is under load (exactly when you need it).
3) The Quick change die tool has an improved quick change mechanism that includes metal handles and a more beefy mount. Based on previous reviews and the video on the Tool-Aid website, an earlier quick change model had a plastic quick release mechanism that hindered a full crimp in certain circumstances.
In a head to head test between the Quick change die tool (18972) and the Screw mounted die tool (18926), the Quick change die tool created very nice crimps that held up well to a pull test, and due to its longer handles, the crimps were easier to make. The Screw mounted die tool created inconsistent crimps, many of which did not hold up well to a pull test. The Screw mounted tool also was harder to use to create a crimp. When we needed to back out of a crimp that was very difficult to complete with the Screw mounted die tool (the exact same crimp completed successfully with the Quick change tool), it was nearly impossible to trigger the release mechanism. We finally were able to do so using a screw driver between the handles and trying to lessen the pressure on the release mechanism at the same time.
In summary, choose either kit with the Quick change die tool (kit 18960 or kit 18980), but the kit with the Screw mounted die tool (kit 187920) is not recommended.