Is there a tool?

[IBMJunkman]

Had to put a couple of RJ45 plugs on to a cable I ran today. Been awhile since I did. Took me 4 tries. Is there a tool that spreads and holds the 8 wires so they slip into the plug correctly and easily?

 

[Red Squirrel]

Not aware of any but I have seen some plug ends that actually have a small clip that holds them in place. The clip goes in with the wires and becomes part of the cable end. The end also allows for the cables to stick out so they can then be cut flush rather than having to do it ahead of time. They were kinda tedious to figure out at first though but once I got going they were not bad. They were specifically made for cat6, not sure if that's actually part of the standard or if it was this this specific brand that was like that.

 

[sdifox]

err, solid or stranded? solid goes into sockets, not plugs.

 

[IBMJunkman]

Standard Ethernet cable 8 solid wires. Attaching a RJ45 plug on the end.

 

[Red Squirrel]

Oh yeah you probably don't want to use solid for crimping ends. It's kinda hit and miss. I did the same mistake since I have a huge box of cat6 for in-wall so figured I could use the same for making patch cords but it does not tend to work well. Really need to use stranded for putting on ends, but you want to use solid for punch down stuff. So two different purposes for both types.

 

[IBMJunkman]

I am confused. All the cables I buy have crimp on plugs and are solid wire. Just like the one I made today.

 

[Red Squirrel]

Are you sure it's solid, it might be stranded. it's kinda hard to tell by looking at it. Though since they are manufactured it could very well be that they just have a different process for putting the end on. Ex: not a standard crimp but perhaps more like a weld. Supersonic welding or something.

 

[IBMJunkman]

Well, I stand corrected. Just checked 3 commercial cables with a jewelers loupe. It is stranded. Just found a reference to EZ RJ45 plugs where the wire comes out the end of the plug. After crimping you trim the wires back to the plug face.

https://www.cableorganizer.com/ez-rj45-network-plugs/

They say they can be used with solid or stranded.

 

[ch33zw1z]

Ez plugs are the only thing I can think of

https://www.amazon.com/Platinum-Tools-100003C-Connectors-Clamshell/dp/B001AZLS6Y

Don't believe the marketing BS though

Solid get's punched down into blocks aka jacks

Stranded is for crimping

 

[IBMJunkman]

Well, I still have a good portion of the 1000 feet of solid cable I bought over a decade ago. At the rate I am using it, it will outlast me.

 

[RadiclDreamer]

I am confused. All the cables I buy have crimp on plugs and are solid wire. Just like the one I made today.

Crimp on ends go on stranded cable, solid core goes in to RJ45 modular jacks. You "can" do either on either, but its failure prone and shouldnt be done.

 

[sactwnguy]

or you could just buy the correct rj45 connector for solid core cables.

https://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=7245

 

[freeskier93]

or you could just buy the correct rj45 connector for solid core cables.

https://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=7245

This. Solid isn't any worse or better than stranded as long as you use the right connector.

The only reason to use stranded is for more flexible patch cables and/or if they are used/moved a lot because they are less prone to fatigue failure.