High-Quality RJ45 Termination Kit

[ElectroPulse]

Hello, all!

I am looking to get a kit with all the essential items for ethernet termination (ratcheting crimp tool, cable tester, wire cutter, wire stripper, and a tool for punching down wires for wall plates... not sure what else I might need. Perhaps screwdrivers? That's pretty much all we've used here where I work).

I plan on using it for years, and would like a kit that is built to last...

As I am not familiar with the companies, and which names are known for quality, I figured I'd ask here for any recommendations. It seems like the kits I have seen so far are either above my price range, or have reviews about them being flimsy... If needed, I could probably just buy a small toolbox and throw everything in there.

Price range? Ehh, not too high... probably no more than ~$75 if possible.

Thanks!

 

[pontifex]

Hello, all!

I am looking to get a kit with all the essential items for ethernet termination (ratcheting crimp tool, cable tester, wire cutter, wire stripper, and a tool for punching down wires for wall plates... not sure what else I might need. Perhaps screwdrivers? That's pretty much all we've used here where I work).

I plan on using it for years, and would like a kit that is built to last...

As I am not familiar with the companies, and which names are known for quality, I figured I'd ask here for any recommendations. It seems like the kits I have seen so far are either above my price range, or have reviews about them being flimsy... If needed, I could probably just buy a small toolbox and throw everything in there.

Price range? Ehh, not too high... probably no more than ~$75 if possible.

Thanks!

I just bought a kit from monoprice.com for $71.25. Haven't used it yet so not sure how quality it is. Has a tester, crimping tool, punchdown tool with both 110 and 66 blades, cable stripper, and a bunch of connectors.

the crimper seems to be pretty decent and the punchdown tool looks and feels like the professional one I used at a previous job.

The tester seems kind of cheap though.

comes in a soft carrying case/pouch thing.

http://www.monoprice.com/products/p...=10418&cs_id=1041801&p_id=8137&seq=1&format=2

 

[imagoon]

I have been partial to Ideal tools. I would get the 110 / 66 punch first, then cutters and strippers. Other than terminating some RJ48's 2 years ago I haven't had a need for my RJ45 crimper. It is rarely if never needed in home build outs.

 

[drebo]

+1 for Ideal and Monoprice.

I have an Ideal crimp tool that's great. It's got a changable die for crimping 8p8c and 6p6c connectors. I don't use it much for data installation, but it comes in handly for doing other stuff...voice termination into a patch panel, for instance...or crimping the shielded ends for my radio installations. It doesn't ratchet, but it doesn't need to.

I have an impact punch tool from Monoprice with 66 and 110 blades that works very well. It was like $15 or something.

 

[ScottMac]

AMP is the standard for ratcheting crimpers. The dies are changeable (RJ11, 14, 45, DEC ...) / replaceable (they do wear down after a while, or can be damaged by a bad crimp).

Fluke apparently bought Harris, again, the original and standard for punch-down tools.

As for electronic testers, it's wide-open, with devices ranging in price from tens of dollars to over $20K. The lower-priced units only check polarity and continuity which may not be enough to verify proper operation (i.e., doesn't detect split pair, for example). The more expensive units perform higher quality tests, up the MAX ... certification at various levels up to Cat6a (I have Fluke DTX1800 and some accessories ... $22K).

If you are planning on doing commercial work, a certification-grade tester is mandatory to your credibility. If you just have a large family and they want you to string up their houses with UTP, then something less is sufficient.

 

[notposting]

My regular tool pouch has a pair of Klein scissors, dikes, and 10-in-1 screwdriver (they now have an 11-in-1). I keep one of the mini Channel-locks, a regular flat head screwdriver for scraping, chiseling, poking around, etc. A Mini-Mag upgraded to LED and a tail switch. A boxcutter, pen/pencil/sharpie, Extron tweeker, 3/8" ratcheting combination wrench, and spudger as well. Fluke punch down tool.

Rarely need the crimper, as patch cables are in general factory made, but I have the Platinum Tools EZ-Rj45 crimper, it will crimp regular connectors but if you get their connectors it makes it a lot easier and you can avoid errors a lot easier (link here: http://www.platinumtools.com/products/100003.php?cat=5).

This is the tool pouch I use, just search Home Depot for #: 826798 It also has a pouch for cell phone and tape holder.

Obviously, I am more on the installation side than on the IT/"light" service side. My regular tool bag is one of the Veto Pro Pac models. I think just the tools in my regular pouch go over your budget, without the crimper even included, and I keep a backup pouch at home

Good luck with whatever you are planning

 

[ElectroPulse]

Alright, thank you for the replies!

A couple of reasons that I am planning on getting a crimper: 1. Growing up, whenever we would need a cable (which seems quite often... we have a dozen or more computers in our house (my dad has a side business)), we would need to drive into town and pay some high price for a premade cable that longer than we needed... I am now determined to just make my own from now on. 2. This fall semester when I head off to college, I am, of course, going to be short on money. I figure I will put up a couple of posters around the dorm advertising "Made to required length" ethernet cables. I figure I could make a couple bucks here and ther.

Anyway, I shall take note of all your responses! I'm thinking I'll probably just go with the idea of buying the parts seperately and putting them in a tool box or carry case of some sort...


Also, on somewhat of a side note, does anyone have recommendations of what brand of ethernet cable I should get? I am not very familiar with different brands... I just know there are some types of cable that I would prefer to avoid. Working part time in a local IT shop, I have run across such cable... There are some that I have used that the wires inside feel like limp noodles. Others are rock solid, and are a pain to get unwound...

And a quick question: Is there any difference in the termination of Cat5e vs. Cat6 cables? I did a search of this a while back, and didn't really find much... Upon external examination, it seems to be the same (then again, that was external examination). I've read that the difference is in the shielding, but is there any difference in the method of termination?

 

[ScottMac]

Among the many specs for Category-rated UTP is the length of exposed pairs (outside the sheath), and the length of pair untwisted. For Cat5e and below, that length is 1/2" total, for both specs.

For Cat6 and above (so far) that spec is 3/8" total, for both specs.

When I say "both" I'm not talking 1/2" untwisted and another 1/2" untwisted (1" total) .... I mean that the combination of the two must be 1/2" (or 3/8") or less, total. The twist must be maintained up to the physical termination, and the strain relief of the connector must be properly utilized.

Once upon a time, there was no such thing as a hand-made Cat6 cable; machine termination was the only in-spec way to fabricate a cable that truly met Cat6 (and higher, so far) spec. I don't know if that's still the case, but Cat6 stranded is a genuine pain in the butt to hand terminate (and still have optimum performance ... working is not the same as working properly and with maximum efficiency).

Rather than hand make these cables, maybe you should just order bulk pre-made jumpers. You get the quantity discount and you have real, certified cables.

 

[imagoon]

Alright, thank you for the replies!

A couple of reasons that I am planning on getting a crimper: 1. Growing up, whenever we would need a cable (which seems quite often... we have a dozen or more computers in our house (my dad has a side business)), we would need to drive into town and pay some high price for a premade cable that longer than we needed... I am now determined to just make my own from now on. 2. This fall semester when I head off to college, I am, of course, going to be short on money. I figure I will put up a couple of posters around the dorm advertising "Made to required length" ethernet cables. I figure I could make a couple bucks here and ther.

Anyway, I shall take note of all your responses! I'm thinking I'll probably just go with the idea of buying the parts seperately and putting them in a tool box or carry case of some sort...


Also, on somewhat of a side note, does anyone have recommendations of what brand of ethernet cable I should get? I am not very familiar with different brands... I just know there are some types of cable that I would prefer to avoid. Working part time in a local IT shop, I have run across such cable... There are some that I have used that the wires inside feel like limp noodles. Others are rock solid, and are a pain to get unwound...

And a quick question: Is there any difference in the termination of Cat5e vs. Cat6 cables? I did a search of this a while back, and didn't really find much... Upon external examination, it seems to be the same (then again, that was external examination). I've read that the difference is in the shielding, but is there any difference in the method of termination?

For the money you would spend to get the tool, box of stranded cable [solid core is not for patch cables by the way] strain reliefs, rubber fill and the RJ45 ends, you have exceeded the cost of buy the cable and shipping it. You can by patch cords is the sub dollar a foot in the shorter range [1-3 feet] and sub $.20 [10 - 100ft+]. You would be better off acting like a reseller since your custom cables would never be able to meet the same quality as machine build cables.

 

[alyarb]

Drawing finished cables through small holes or otherwise difficult runs only become more difficult.

That said, I would still buy finished cables when possible, if only because it saves about 5 minutes to terminate and the cost per foot is close to a bulk spool, and i'd have a cheap spool available for longer or tighter runs. I got a crimper from office depot for $8 and rj-45's are like 3 cents each from amazon. I like to use keystone couplers so you can add more connectivity to the hole you already punched in the wall.

I never understood the punch-down wall plates because they cost the same as a keystone plate and they're pretty much a one-trick pony.

 

[ScottMac]

Drawing finished cables through small holes or otherwise difficult runs only become more difficult.

That said, I would still buy finished cables when possible, if only because it saves about 5 minutes to terminate and the cost per foot is close to a bulk spool, and i'd have a cheap spool available for longer or tighter runs. I got a crimper from office depot for $8 and rj-45's are like 3 cents each from amazon. I like to use keystone couplers so you can add more connectivity to the hole you already punched in the wall.

I never understood the punch-down wall plates because they cost the same as a keystone plate and they're pretty much a one-trick pony.

Are those RJ45's Cat5/5e/6/6a rated?

Most of the cheap ones are Telco/Dialtone (i.e., for phones, not data) grade and (technically) take your "category-whatever" cable down to "Cat-nothing" / barbed wire / coat hanger status.

 

[notposting]

If you do plan on making patch cables like that, look into that EZ lineup I linked to. Get the proper kind of connectors for the cable too (ie Cat5/6, solid/stranded). For patches like you are describing Cat 5e stranded should be sufficient.