WBT Spades -- Crimping needed??

You can check the whole procedure of wire preparation, for use with the WBT connectors, at www.partsexpress.com .
They show step by step how to install the connectors. please be advised that you will need to buy the correct
crimp sleeve and special crimping tool.

The connector has two Torx screws, one is a strain relief for the cable and the other one holds the crimp sleeve against the connector. Please be advised that the crimping has to be done using the special tool that WBT sells, you won't be able to get the special shape needed to insert the crimp sleeve/wire assembly into the connector.

The screws used are very small so if you use bare wire inside the connector you won't get a good connection.
Good luck.

Hepl - very good explanation. One thing I can add is that you can buy different size screws. Parts Express sells at least one upsized WBT screw (7mm?) for working with smaller cables. Rich Moore can also get you other sizes - and I agree, he's a very nice and helpful fellow.

At least one store I came across (can't remember which one) will mail you the WBT crimping tool at no charge as a short-term loaner - that's a nice service, since the tool is $50 or so. I ended up buying the tool and a whole bunch of crimp sleeves, and I have been VERY happy, given the number of self-terminated cables I have. I've switched ends around to tailor to different situations, and I really love the convenience the crimp-sleeve WBT connectors offer.

Mwilson - You are right about the convenience of the crimp sleeve, one can always change connectors as one upgrades the system. 1/4 spade to 5/16 spade, spade to banana, straight banana to angle banana, etc. I have been using Kimber 8-TC, so far I have changed the amp end twice.
Happy listening.

Uwloian,

You've gotten lots of good advice regarding the need for crimp sleeves when installing the WBT spades. However, it's not necessary to use the "special" WBT crimp tool. I've installed these spades myself using a standard wire stripper/cutter that also has a crimp die, which is much cheaper than the WBT pliers, and just as effective. You can find crimp tools at Home Depot, Radioshack, or anywhere that sells electrical hardware. Also, Parts Express has a great instructions for proper crimping technique here:

http://www.partsexpress.com/resources/093-500.html

I'd recommend that you use the WBT-0436 sleeve (10 AWG), for the Canare 4S11. This is almost the perfect size if you're going to insert 2 runs (2 x 14AWG = 11AWG) into each spade, with a little bit of extra room to spare.

I have Canare 4S11 with WBT spades. I found it is very easy to connect the spades using just WBT sleeves and the tool supplied with the spades. Just slip a ferrule (sleeve) over the exposed 4S11 wire, insert the end into the WBT spade and tighten with the wrench. The screws compress the ferrule onto the wire, thereby connecting the spades quite snugly. Don't waste a dime on a crimping tool. You don't need it.