anyone know of any cheap network cable?

[bigrash]

does anyone know of any site where I can get really cheap cat5 network cable?

 

[Wik]

A roll or just patch cables?

 

[bex0rs]

I know of cheap network cable. I've even seen some in bulk at Home Depot. :Q

~bex0rs

 

[bigrash]

either a roll, or patch cable.
home depot has network cables?

 

[Fallen Kell]

Make it yourself:

Cable Krimpers = $6.95
100 foot cable = $29.00
RJ-45 endpieces 10 pack = $3.95

I'm sure you can scale up if you need to and probably save even more then that as buying in bulk of this stuff is much cheaper.

 

[Wik]

I was going to suggest Home Depot also. Might be your best choice as far as price goes. That is where I get my rolls.

 

[Wik]

Now ends, you might want to buy from PC cables. You can get 100 pack for around 10-12 bucks shipped.

 

[Russ]

Home Depot (at least in my area) has Cat5e at $49 for 1000Ft. rolls.

Fallen Kell,

There is no way in hell you should use a $7 crimp tool. At that price, they are absolute crap.

Russ, NCNE

 

[Wik]

Russ, I have a $10 one for the little bit of crimping that I need to do around home and it works just fine.

 

[LordSandMan]

<< There is no way in hell you should use a $7 crimp tool. At that price, they are absolute crap. >>



Russ is absolutely right. If you you use crappy equipment you get no quality control. You end up with a cable that probably won't transfer at high data speeds as if you use quality equipment.

If you aren't running the cables through walls and terminating them you'll probably be better off buying the cables with ends on them. After you have put ends on all of the cables you will also have time into them.

If you are interested in how the network cables and networks work and are doing it for the education as well, then go for it and make the cable it's a good learning experience. If you do I would still recommend a good crimper $50+ if you want it done right.

Just my .02

 

[bigrash]

thanks guys....i think i'm gonna go by home depot to purchase the cable

 

[Mday]

whatever crimper you get, make sure it's not plastic ;-)

 

[esung]

yep get some durable crimps. beware that not all bulk cables are created equal.. some cheap ones are really too crappy to use. (solid conductor vs. stranded conductor)

and PVC cables are much cheaper the plenum cable, but some building's fire code require you to use plenum (well, you can't use PVC that is..)

 

[cavingjan]

Each type of cable (solid and stranded) has its own strengths and weaknesses. Solid core is mostly for in walls (patchpanel to wall plate). Stranded is used in patch cables where cables being moved and twisted around is the norm. The ends to be used depends upon the type of wire used.

 

[Moonark]

you will get more cable and save $$$ if you make your own

 

[spidey07]

my .02....

buy patch cable-don't make them. It is cheaper to buy them than to make them once you figure labor and the eventual hour or so spent trying to figure out why something won't work only to find the homemade cable is crap.

I've seen way too many network problems from people making cables.

i'll get flamed....but oh well.

 

[Cyberclix]

Your right Spidey! Hey ... if it's only for a few lengths and you don't need plenum, it's cheaper to buy pre-made. Of course you miss all the fun of figuring out where you messed up a crimp. Russ et al are right, don't buy a cheap crimper oh ... and never plastic.

 

[todays]

As I'm sitting here making patch cables by hand. lol. Here is a good deal on pre-made cables.
PC Cables

There are a couple of more places, but you have to spend alot of money for the minimum order.

And once you have made 200-300 cables, you would be surprised at how fast and accurate you can make a cable. But if you don't do it for a living, then you might want to buy your cables pre-made.

 

[osage]

nice link Todays, just what I needed.

I went to Home Depot, and all the crimpers they had were over 30.00. can't see that to make just 2-3 cables.

 

[bigrash]

thanks all you guys for the suggestions