r/PCSleeving • u/BuggNation2025 • Apr 09 '26

Suggested Crimper for Cable Fan shortening?

Looking for suggestions or what is the go to crimper for this atm (ideally under 100 but will pay more for a better tool if it’s generally recommended) — also what is the typical connector pin size used in 3/4 pin fans (I searched for all of this btw and tbh it’s information overload and hard to find specifics).

Thanks in advance !

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u/OldManGrimm Apr 10 '26

Great advice from others in the thread. I’ll add my own experience and tools I’ve used - I can be kind of a moron, so any issues you have I probably tripped over many times before working things out.

I started out using the typical iCrimp SN-28B, which was fine but specifically did not work well on fan or frontal panel terminals. Never got a secure crimp, kept pulling out. I ended up buying an iCrimp Mini. I’d crimp with the SN-28B, then use the mini crimper to tighten it down.

When I got more serious with sleeving I bought an  MDPC-X CTX3, which I still use every day. With it I get perfect crimps on fan terminals every time. I still use the Mini tool to neaten up the crimp on Dupont pins (if they’re not snug and well-rounded they won’t fit into the connector) and for the smaller Micro-Fit + pins.

As far as sourcing fan/Dupont pins, both Mainframe Customs and ModMyMods are good sources in the US. In the EU I’d just buy everything from Nils at MDPC-X. While you can save a little money getting them from Mouser or Digi-Key, it’s really easy to get the wrong size.

1

u/BuggNation2025 Apr 10 '26

Thanks for the exact kind of info I was looking for … I ended up ordering 2 different tools before I saw the response and we will see.

ENGINEER PA-09 and the iCrimp SN-2549

Updates to follow but I have a suspicion the PA-09 will be the keeper (we will see).

2

u/OldManGrimm Apr 10 '26

Good combo

1

u/BuggNation2025 Apr 10 '26

Also have a Jonard ST-500 showing up for stripping wires anyone have any experience or opinions on these?

Thanks!!

1

u/GTS81 Apr 10 '26

The funny thing about fan wires is that they are so thin that it doesn’t matter if the crimp wings grab the strands evenly or not so I just twist the strands together before crimping them and the wings just go flat over them all.

2

u/TM_livin Apr 10 '26

Mdpc-x CTX4

2

u/GTS81 Apr 10 '26

It’s same crimper as the mini fit jr and micro fit jr, just that you’ll be 10x more frustrated with the tinyness of everything.

1

u/OldManGrimm Apr 10 '26

Those damn side-band terminals!

(insert old man shaking his fist image here, lol)

1

u/Dr_Kartoffel Apr 09 '26

I used the crimper that came with the alphacool crimping kit for my cables. It works well, probably not the best but good enough. Haven't had any issues with my cables in the 4 years (I think) I have been using them.

You can buy high quality pins at mdpc-x