# Basic electronics question. Reeeeally basic. **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [March 8, 2005, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/basic-electronics-question-reeeeally-basic/293553 "2005-03-08T18:00:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 2\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2005, 3:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/basic-electronics-question-reeeeally-basic/293553/21 "2005-03-09T03:48:03Z")
> [@tdn](#): > > The reason I dislike soldering for this is that it tends to use up wire quickly, and I need some good amount of flexibility in my setup. In other words, no permanent connections. I still recommend solder. If you can melt the solder on to the connection, you can melt it off. I do, and I’m as big a klutz as you’ll ever meet. ---
**Author:** ![danceswithcats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9e8a1a/32.png) [@danceswithcats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/danceswithcats)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2005, 4:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/basic-electronics-question-reeeeally-basic/293553/22 "2005-03-09T04:44:46Z")
My .02 of wisdom is that crimps perform well when accurately sized, and installed with the proper tool. For 250kcmil down to #8, I’ve got one tool. For smaller sizes, other full cycle tools are used to ensure proper compression of the connector. No problems, no complaints. AFAIK, auto and truck manufacturers use compression connectors-I’d venture to say a thousand or more in the average vehicle. The molex and other brand miniature connectors used in the computer I’m using to type this message aren’t soldered-they’re crimped. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/basic-electronics-question-reeeeally-basic/293553.md?page=1)