Insertion Tools

Straight and joggled tools hold contact and wire in line with center or side of the tool handle. Tools sizes are "0" to "24" gauge. Handles are color coded aluminum. Tools range from 4 1/2" to 6" long, with replaceable tips.

Front Removal, Rear Installation Tools

Both front removal and rear installation Military Standard tools offer a convient and practical approach to servicing the MIL-C-81511, Series 1 & 2 connectors. Tools are color coded for contact size with half-inch hex metal handles.

Front Release

Front release connecters are easily serviced with these military spec removal tools. Handles are color coded for contact size. Replaceable tips are available. Reference: MIL-C-005015, MIL-C26482, MIL-C26500 and MIL-C-26636 Connectors

Front Removal Contact Tools

Employing the floating tip concept, these tools offer quality as well as ease of operation. Body and handle are aluminum and color coded. Replaceable tips are available and require no special installing tools.

Interference Kit Contacts

A collect grip in the handle allows for a multi-purpose tool. The tips can be set to remove bith pins and sockets or insert multi-sized contacts by reversing the replaceable tips. Handles are aluminum alloy and color coded. Sizes are fromn 1/8" diameter to 1/4" diameter.

Rear Installation and Removal Tweezers

Tools are for sizes 8 to 24 contacts. Used in NAS 1599, MIL-C-38999 and other rear release contacts. The tips can be custom designed to your needs.

Flat Contact Removal Tools

Tools used in the Elco, Winchester, Tri-Star and Collins Radio connectors. Tool slides down both sides of contact from front and realeases locking clip (spur) shedder then ejects contact out the back of the connector.

Installation Pliers

Rear insertion pliers are for Bendix, CE, SE, AN/MS and Type "F" contacts in sizes 12, 16, & 20 gauge. Handles are color coded. These pliers are used in conjunction with kits below.

Kit Tools

The hollow handle kit tools carry the tips inside the handle and come with an assortment of tips, (usually 3 to 5 per kit). Various kits include sizes 20 to 12 gauge. The illustratin to the left is similar to the Bendix tool kits. The illustration on the right is similar to the Amphenol tool kits.

Metal Unwired Contact Tools

Removes unwired contacts from connectors and is available in two styles. The metal style employs a locking wedge and removes contacts from terminal block as well as the connectors.

Military Standard Tools

The Military Standard tools use plastic probes which are interchangeable and available in sizes 12, 16, 20 (MS3448-001 kit) and 12 through 22 (MS3159), series NAS1599
and MIL-C-81511, Series 3 and 4)

Retention Test Tool

This tool is designed to test contacts in connectors to verify a properly "locked in" condition after insertion. These tools impose a controlled spring pressure against pin or socket contacts and will displace the contact when it is not properly locked.

Each tool has interchangeable probes for testing either pin or socket contacts and three sizes of compression springs (light, medium or heavy, covering from 1 1/2 to 18 lbs.). Tool is easily adjusted to any requirement. Design features a "visual check" with an indicator button showing when full compression is reached.

Rear Release Pliers

This tool unlocks MIL-C-005015 contacts. Sizes are 0, 4, and 8 gauge.

Flat Pack

This tool forms straight leads into offset leads for printed circuit boards and is available in four sizes.

Transfer Kits

This tool is designed to move the wired clips from one pin to another with ease. Two sizes are available; .025 square and .058 x .028 pins kits.

Impact Tools

Tool is used mainly on Cannon’s “Ring-Lok” contacts. The contacts are “snapped” out by the impact tool. Sizes are coax to 20 gage and remove both pin and socket contacts. The probes are replaceable and handles are color coded.

Insertion and Removal Tools

This tool uses 3/8" hex aluminum handle and is used in the smaller gage sizes. Tips are normally straight, from 1" to 4" long.

Delrin handles with 20° offset tips work well when inserting 16 to 22M contacts in the MIL-C-38999 connectors.

Replacement Tips

Replacement tips come in many shapes and sizes. Consult factory for more selections.

Interchangeable Probe Removal Kit

Common handle and 3 tips for sizes 12, 16 and 20 gage contacts, with shedders for MIL-C-26482, 26500 and 26636 connectors.

This long-slot tool illustrates the standard for MIL-C-005015 insertion tools. Modified versions are available on request.

Interchangeable probe Insertion kit

Common handle and 3 tips for sizes 12, 16 and 20 gage contacts for MIL-C-26482, 26500
and 26636 connectors.

Plastic Tools vs. Astro Metal Tools

Plastic tools are used throughout the industry. Astro Tool Corp’s policy is to give our customers the greatest savings for the best quality tools we can manufacture. Metal tools, although initially more costly, offer a quality product and a lower tooling cost in servicing electrical connectors. Please refer to our cross-reference lists for any plastic to metal replacement equivalents you may need.

The tools are available in two basic lengths with a metal or plastic insertion foot.