Technically, with battery lugs, the first crimp should be made at the end of the lug closest to the wire. The second crimp is then made closest to the hole. I have done it backwards and never had a problem. This is backwards from the way industrial compression lugs are crimped. With industrial lugs you start at the stud hole end and work towards the wire. I have even seen some "battery lugs" marked backwards and other marked forwards. I guess if the industry can't agree why should we really care.


The reason it is suggested to crimp the wire end first, with battery lugs, is to keep the wire jacket distance from growing away from the lug. You're applying adhesive heat shrink so a little gap is no big deal.


I learned that with the diamond crimp tool you can get sharp edges on the non-rounded part of the die. In order to alleviate this I consulted with FTZ, AMP Tyco and Quick Cable and that two crimps in each spot yields a smoother formed terminal.


Make the first crimp with the lug parallel to the crimp head then, as seen here, flip it 90 degrees or vertical and make one more crimp in the exact same spot.


Doing this rounds over all sides making for a very neat and tidy crimp under heat shrink. While not necessary it does make for a neater and more professional looking job.