I second this. One can still buy decent alligator clips (and crocodile clips, they are not the same) and can get extra flexible test lead wire from the larger suppliers. Crimping is often not very reliable and the cheap commercial leads I've gotten often break at the clip or have poor connections there. Bad tools of any sort are a PITA.

On 11/27/2021 11:43 AM, Paul Thekan wrote:

I've always made up my own clip leads.
I have some from Radio Shack I bought 30+ years ago that are still good and many of the test leads I made in HS are still doing fine after 50yrs...and counting.
Paul
N6FEG

On Sat, Nov 27, 2021, 11:27 AM Mike Feher <[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]>> wrote:

    I have struggled with the same problem Steve. Wound up
    soldering all those clips where the crimps often only crimped
    the insulation or were intermittent. 73 – Mike ____

    __ __

    Mike B. Feher, N4FS____

    89 Arnold Blvd.____

    Howell NJ 07731____

    848-245-9115____

    __ __

    *From:* [email protected]
    <mailto:[email protected]>
    <[email protected]
    <mailto:[email protected]>> *On Behalf Of *Steve
    WD8DAS via ARC5
    *Sent:* Saturday, November 27, 2021 1:55 PM
    *To:* [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]>
    *Subject:* [ARC5] Alligator clip leads____

    __ __

    __ __

    Over the years I've been frustrated by failures of alligator
    clip leads.  Nothing is worse than thinking the device under
    test has a problem when in fact it turns out a bad test lead
    that are the issue. ____

    __ __

    This has only gotten worse in recent years, as most of the
    commercially-available clip leads have become complete
    junk:   A few strands of weird metal inside stiff plastic
    insulation, with cheaply-made alligator clips loosely clamped
    (not even crimped) on the ends. ____

    __ __

    My old leads are wearing out so a couple weeks ago I bought
    some new clip leads from a reputable vendor.  They turned out
    to be the worst ever - half of the leads had no continuity
    right out of the package.  I tried soldering the wires to the
    clips but the few strands of wire did not seem to want to
    take solder - very odd stuff.  I trashed them and went on a
    search for good test leads.  I first sought good test-lead
    wire and clips to make my own - the minimum quantity of the
    wire was  too high.____

    __ __

    I found some ready-made leads from Cal-Test Electronics.   I
    asked and confirmed they are made from real test lead wire,
    soldered to good quality clips: ____


    https://app.caltestelectronics.com/product-list/product-page/view/CT2394/
    <https://app.caltestelectronics.com/product-list/product-page/view/CT2394/>

    and bought them from DigiKey, but others sell them as well:

    https://www.digikey.com/en/products/detail/cal-test-electronics/CT2394/5028475
    <https://www.digikey.com/en/products/detail/cal-test-electronics/CT2394/5028475>____

    __ __

    https://www.tequipment.net/Cal-Test/CT2394/Alligator-Test-Leads/
    <https://www.tequipment.net/Cal-Test/CT2394/Alligator-Test-Leads/>____

    __ __

    https://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/Cal-Test-Electronics/CT2394?qs=sGAEpiMZZMtJbfcMcIM8CEmjI6%2FR0hxQbyY9pD4jm%252Bw%3D
    <https://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/Cal-Test-Electronics/CT2394?qs=sGAEpiMZZMtJbfcMcIM8CEmjI6%2FR0hxQbyY9pD4jm%252Bw%3D>

    They are more expensive than the junk, but the two packs I
    received show the quality I was seeking. ____

    __ __

    __ __

    Steve WD8DAS

    [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]>
    http://www.wd8das.net/ <http://www.wd8das.net/>____

    http://af4k-crystals.com <http://af4k-crystals.com>____

    --------------------------------------------------------------------
    Radio is your best entertainment value.
    --------------------------------------------------------------------____

    __ __

    ____

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