this post was submitted on 31 Jan 2024
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Cable crimpers and networking tools (sh.itjust.works)
submitted 9 months ago by ruplicant@sh.itjust.works to c/networking@sh.itjust.works
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I'm in need of a cable crimper and some other network tools like a tone gen/probe, cable snipper/stripper, and I'll probably also get a cable tester, for a couple of jobs I'll be doing soon

So, I'm assembling a basic toolkit to install the physical network parts, and I'm asking here for recommendations on mid and high quality tools so I can decide on what to get

As one should do with tools, I'm ready to spend a buck (or euro, in this case) to get good and durable stuff, but these days looking for reviews online is a marketing shitshow, so I thought I'd come here to look for recommendations and try to find someone with actual practical knowledge and experience

Any advice is welcome!

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[–] CannedTuna@sh.itjust.works 7 points 9 months ago* (last edited 9 months ago) (1 children)

Here’s what I have in my pack and think covers about everything you’d need to do most anything.

  • Klein VDV226-110 RJ45 Pass Through Crimp Tool
  • Klein VDV226-011 RJ45/RJ11 Ratcheting Crimper
  • Klein 21010-6 Free Fall Snips
    • Alternatively: Milwaukee Electrician Snips
  • Fluke PRO3000F60 Tone and Probe kit w/ 60Hz filter
    • Alternatively: TEMPO 701K-G Tone and Probe
  • Klein VDV501-851 Scout Pro 3
    • Alternatively Klein VDV526-200 Scout Pro Jr.
  • Klein VDV427-300 Impact Punchdown 66/100
    • Note: doesn’t include a no cut blade, order one separately on Amazon.
  • Milwaukee 9-in-1 ratcheting screwdriver
  • Milwaukee 6 Piece Precision screwdriver set
  • Milwaukee Flush Cutters
  • Klein CL600 Digital Clamp Multi Meter
    • Alternatively Klein MM600 Digital Auto Ranging Multi Meter
  • Klein NCVT1P Non-Contact Voltage Detector

Plus a good inspection flashlight. Milwaukee and Klein have some good ones of different kinds.

You could also buy some Klein or Milwaukee cable strippers, but I find I use my snips more often.

I’d also recommend getting a pair of Klein or Milwaukee Lineman’s Pliers with the fish tape channel. Super useful for a number of things, like banging on stuff or reaming pipes/sleeves.

Note that I list two different RJ45 crimp tools. One is for standard RJ45 heads, the other is for pass through heads. The one for pass throughs only works on pass throughs as it has a cutting edge at the end of the head that will hit and nick the end of a regular RJ45. Personally I own both, but I always buy pass throughs as they save time.

Not necessary, but useful to have depending on what you do:

  • Fluke TS19 Telephone Test Set
[–] ruplicant@sh.itjust.works 2 points 9 months ago* (last edited 9 months ago) (2 children)

that's perfect, thank you so much! I'm currently reviewing each tool. I'd heard about Klein Tools and now that I look at them, they seem solid

actually, I've only recently learned about pass-through heads as I've never used nor seen any. was hoping the VDV226-110 Crimper could do both but it's not the case. I'll probably go for a standard one for now but will keep an eye out for pass-through heads

I found also the VDV226-107 as a standard head crimper but on the shape of the 110 instead of the classic 011. both also act as stripper and cutter

[–] CannedTuna@sh.itjust.works 3 points 9 months ago

Pass throughs cost a little more, but the time you save is 100% worth it. When you feed the wires into the head they come out the front so you can check the color code and the crimper trims them perfectly to length. So much easier than trying to trim the wires to the perfect length and peaking through the head to see if they lined up right.

[–] lemming741@lemmy.world 2 points 9 months ago

Passthrough is the only style I'll use anymore. Once you use them, you'll never go back.

[–] drkt@lemmy.dbzer0.com 4 points 9 months ago (2 children)

Just stay away from anything that has to photoshop their images like that crimp tool is just shooped in. If they can't afford to take a picture of the product, they can't afford to make a good product.

[–] ruplicant@sh.itjust.works 2 points 9 months ago

hahaha, I just picked a random toolkit inage to illustrate the post. that's definitely not a trustworthy kit or crimper

[–] BigDanishGuy@sh.itjust.works 3 points 9 months ago* (last edited 9 months ago)

I've bought more crimpers than most, because my students abuse the tools. In my experience you can overall get two types of crimping tools: the cheap non-ratcheting ones like https://dk.rs-online.com/web/p/krympeaerktoj/1052153, and the more expensive ones ratcheting ones like https://dk.rs-online.com/web/p/krympeaerktoj/4726762.

I just got a couple of the cheap ones I linked, and they're really shoddy, despite being 20euro before VAT. If I was to buy a crimping tool for my personal use, I'd look for a ratcheting tool in the sub 50euro category. I have used a tool similar to the expensive one, and they're really nice, I'd look for a tool with the semi circular cutout for cutting the outer layer of the cable.

Are you just going to be mounting plugs, or will you be dealing with the sockets as well? If yes, the you'd maybe want to look at getting a LSA punching tool, depending on the model of socket.

I don't know your time frame or budget, but a cable tester that goes beyond just testing connectivity is worth some money. I managed to get a fluke dsp4100 for less than 100 euro as Danish navy surplus. Maybe look at getting a used older tester, unless you need to document 10 gig capability.

[–] DrunkenPirate@feddit.de 2 points 9 months ago* (last edited 9 months ago)

I have this one https://www.conrad.de/de/p/digitus-dn-94022-netzwerk-werkzeug-set-passend-fuer-netzwerk-spezifikationen-cat-cat-5e-cat-6-cat-7-2335586.html It’s very basic and I miss nothing. I needed those 4 tools. Had set up my network at home with flush-mounted Cat sockets, self crimped cat-cables (consider CAT 6A and S/FTP shielding) by help of YT videos. You don’t need to throw gold on those tools. Better invest in good cable and connectors. Not sure if I seriously use them again to that extend.

Edit: And check the network speed of your cables. It was quite surprising how very little tweaks had big impact on overall speed. Sometimes I didn’t even know why and crimped it anew.

[–] unabart@sh.itjust.works 1 points 9 months ago

Where’s the deedle-deedle tool?