How to Make a Cheap Cable Lug Using Copper Pipe
What I decided to do was make my own out of copper pipe. This DIY terminal clip was for 2 gauge wire and used a short length of 1/4 copper pipe.
Looking around the hardware store I saw a short section of heavy gauge copper pipe. a 2 feet long section was under $4.00. This is much lugs cost
Even if this DIY experiment failed, I would not be out a lot of money. I decided to go for it. In the end it worked really well.
I used a pipe cutter to cut a couple inches off of the end of the copper tube.
Next I used the vice to smash one end closed. I could have used a hammer, but the vice gives a little more control.
After the end is smashed flat, drill a hole through the flat end to make a terminal clip.
Lastly we used a swage to press the copper pipe to the wire. You could solder it, but I find a good pressure fit works well.
