How do you Attach Lucas Bullet Ends

[MiniDave]

......to the wires?

They are supposed to come in crimp and solder versions....I've never been able to get a crimp on one to work so I always solder them on.

I have two different methods......

I drill the hole out in the end so that a 16ga wire will pass thru, stick the wire thru the hole and solder it, then snip off most of what sticks out, or....

I turn the end over and heat the bullet, fill it with solder, then stick the bared end of the wire into the liquid solder and blow it cool.....which takes a lot of solder and once in a while it cools too quickly to get a good bond with the wire - but usually it works fine.

How do you do it?

[Willie_B]

I do the fill with solder method, but I solder the end of the wire before hand.

[MiniDave]

Oh, that's a good idea, tin the wire end first.....

[jeff10049]

I fill with solder I bought some bigger diameter solder just for those. Tin or preheat the wire helps with bond.

[tsumini]

I haven't filled the bullet but solder the end of wire sticking out and leave a blob and spread the wire in the blob. if that makes sense. I find that inserting in the wires into the connectors is kinda difficult. Sometimes it will push thru the insulator out the other side. I've been sqeezing yhe bullets from both ends to secure them.

[MiniDave]

There are two tools available that make both these jobs easier - the first is a crimping too. There are two different styles of these too, a cheap one and a really expensive one! The cheap one puts one crimp in from one side, the good one crimps in a hex pattern all around the bullet - that's the one I'd feel comfortable using if I were going to crimp the ends on - it's about $100.

There also is a tool to push the ends into the sleeves, and it's not too much $$$ but the ones I've seen look a little cheaply made, and the jaws aren't parallel which would annoy me no end. 

So, I haven't bought either as I'm not sure I can make a case for them as I'm really not into wiring cars any more - if I can help it!

But like any good mechanic, I'm also a tool junky!    ::)  ;D

[John Gervais]

I use one of these for bullet connectors; a bit pricey, but works a treat.  I dip the bare cable end into a bit o'silicone grease, push the cable completely through the connector and after crimping, trim the cable neatly from the end of the connector.  Never have had an issue with corrosion or a faulty connection, and haven't soldered any of them.  Of course, using the correct size bullet connector for the wire gauge is expected.

The big one is what I use for battery cable and larger, heavy-duty terminals.

[MiniDave]

The orange handled one is the one I would get if I were going to do a bunch of these terminals, and I did not know they had different sized bullets for the different wiring sizes, Vicky Brits only sells the one size- the smallest. I've been drilling them out to accommodate the larger wires.

BTW John, good to hear from you again!

[tmsmini]

British Wiring has all the bullet sizes. Usually only two day shipping to the west coast.
I use the orange handled version as well.
and this tool to assemble:

Also available from British Wiring.

[John Gervais]

I check in from time to time, but only to 'vegetate', listen to music, play a mindless game and do a bit of light reading. 

I've been pretty busy -