Thread: How bad can tradesmen get?

Originally Posted by Blknight.aus

Ive seen that and worse from mechanics,

I've heard of a mechanic who dabs grease on all the grease nipples with his finger to save time and make it look like it's been done.

Cheers, Murray

Originally Posted by Cracka

.......... bloody scotch locks of all things

What is the 'correct' way to tap into a wire where you don't have any extra length to play with.

Are these any good, or are they just another sub standard short cut Posi-Tap

Are there any good alternatives to scotch locks ?

Cheers, Murray

Originally Posted by rijidij

I've heard of a mechanic who dabs grease on all the grease nipples with his finger to save time and make it look like it's been done.

Cheers, Murray

We have a mechanic who refuses to grease machines as part of a service,not his job,operators responsability he says.
Andrew

Originally Posted by rijidij

What is the 'correct' way to tap into a wire where you don't have any extra length to play with.

Are these any good, or are they just another sub standard short cut Posi-Tap

Are there any good alternatives to scotch locks ?

Cheers, Murray

I don't like using anything like that. I generally cut the wire, slide on some heat shrink, strip the ends back and solder the whole lot back together. Then heat shrink the joint.

If its internal to the vehicle I will strip the insulation back without cutting the conductor, solder the new wire to it, then tape it up.

Yes, it takes longer but I always get a solid connection that never comes loose and the electrical integrity doesn't degrade over time like scotch locks or other types of quick connectors.

If going near moisture I spend the extra few cents per connection and get the marine style connectors!

When shrunk down they (should) be hermetically sealed.

Speaking of which, I have to procure some more....

I use a number of different means of joining wires and cables and for non current load connections, like picking up a high beam connection to operate a driving light relay, I will use Scotch locks but I have been doing so for more than 30 years.

I do not recommend novices use them because there is a specific way to fit them and fail to do it right and you can have all sorts of problems.

In the field I like soldering medium to high current joints, but again, unless a person knows what they are doing, they can create problems for themselves when soldering inside a vehicle.

I supply terminal strips, also called screw block terminals and supply different size units for different cable and current sizes.

These too must be fitted properly but if you get it wrong you can easily do it again, BUT these are only suitable for internal junctions.

For all external junctions and terminal connects I either crimp or solder.

When it comes to novices having to fit large terminals to thick cable, unless they have access to the correct crimping tools, I always recommend they solder the terminals to the cable. This way, if they get it wrong, heat the terminal up, remove the cable and start again.

On the boat, solder, silastic over join, then heat shrink.

The Difference Between Wogs & Aussies: TRADIES - YouTube ..... sorry