What are the right tools for the job?

[JLucPicard]

I have been contemplating for some time buying a compression fitting tool, a cable stripper and some compression ends to try to do some of my own cabling (RG6). I cannot afford $400 tools, but am not looking to get the cheapest either (the whole "you get what you pay for" thing).

Can someone recommend a brand or model (even specific model # if you know it) of a compression fitting tool and a cable stripper (I am really not interested in the gray, plastic model with two blades and the hole for the finger - looking for something much more durable and reliable).

Any help is greatly appreciated. I have looked at some at Home Depot (stripper runs about $25, the compression tool about $60?). I am also OK with buying from eBay if I know exactly what I need and can get a better price.

Thanks!

[samrs]

http://www.solidsignal.com/images/products/SGCATSNS_zoom.gif

This type of compression tool works well for most snap and seal type F connectors. Ripley, not sure of a model number. I've seen them listed for $70, mine cost $40 but you would need an account. You might pick them up used in a pawn shop.

The cable strippers with two blades and a finger hole are the most common. Stanley makes a good single blade model, takes a little practice but does just as well.:)

[adam1115]

I have been contemplating for some time buying a compression fitting tool, a cable stripper and some compression ends to try to do some of my own cabling (RG6). I cannot afford $400 tools, but am not looking to get the cheapest either (the whole "you get what you pay for" thing).

Can someone recommend a brand or model (even specific model # if you know it) of a compression fitting tool and a cable stripper (I am really not interested in the gray, plastic model with two blades and the hole for the finger - looking for something much more durable and reliable).

Any help is greatly appreciated. I have looked at some at Home Depot (stripper runs about $25, the compression tool about $60?). I am also OK with buying from eBay if I know exactly what I need and can get a better price.

Thanks!

http://www.dishstore.net/product_info.php?cPath=53&products_id=60

Only $59.99, they word great.

They sell the fittings for $0.35 each.
http://www.dishstore.net/product_info.php?cPath=53&products_id=94

[sgt-spam]

When I wired my house, I bought several bags of crimp connectors (the same brand TWC used at the time) from PPC.

I also bought a 'CablePrep' crimp tool that was claimed to be installer-quality.

The supply place I got all my CAT5/RG6 from also sold the finger-loop style COAX strippers, and it still serves me great!

[Larry G]

I have been contemplating for some time buying a compression fitting tool, a cable stripper and some compression ends to try to do some of my own cabling (RG6). I cannot afford $400 tools, but am not looking to get the cheapest either (the whole "you get what you pay for" thing).

Can someone recommend a brand or model (even specific model # if you know it) of a compression fitting tool and a cable stripper (I am really not interested in the gray, plastic model with two blades and the hole for the finger - looking for something much more durable and reliable).

Any help is greatly appreciated. I have looked at some at Home Depot (stripper runs about $25, the compression tool about $60?). I am also OK with buying from eBay if I know exactly what I need and can get a better price.

Thanks!

I was in the same situation several months ago. I shopped around a little and finally bought this kit.
http://www.techtoolsupply.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=381
This one is for RG6Q. They also offer one for RG6. I used it to rerun 4 feeds to 2 receivers preparing for DVR upgrades. It worked great for me.

[Mike500]

Here's an inexpensive set on eBay;

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=005&item=150038151517&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMESE%3AIT&rd=1

The tools are probably not the top of the line, but the Snap-N-Seals are some of the best connectors in the industry.

[TheRatPatrol]

I was thinking about buying one too. Has anyone had any luck with the crimper at Home Depot?

Thanks.

[Larry G]

I was thinking about buying one too. Has anyone had any luck with the crimper at Home Depot?

Thanks.

I bought one at Menards (maybe similar to HD, Maybe not) that wound up in the garbage after about 2 hrs of ineffective use!!

[dhageremtp]

I bought one at Menards (maybe similar to HD, Maybe not) that wound up in the garbage after about 2 hrs of ineffective use!!


I bought the same one at Menards. First 5 uses, I thought it was crap. Then I used a cable stripper like was shown in another reply, use the Mendards (philips magnavox? or was it Zenith) crimper, it works great!! Just needed the right tools to use it!

[carl6]

I was thinking about buying one too. Has anyone had any luck with the crimper at Home Depot?

Thanks.

I have an Ideal OmniSeal compression tool, #30-603, and Ideal compression connectors #89-056 (for RG6Q), that I bought at Home Depot and have had no problem with either one. They work just fine.

I did not buy a stripper, and wished I had. I spend forever getting the coax stripped and dressed properly using a razor knife, electricians scissors, etc.

Carl

[bobnielsen]

I have the Data Shark compression tool from Home Depot (around $15) and it works great. I also bought an Ideal stripper there, but the way it works it doesn't seem to be designed for compression connectors (it has three blades instead of two), so I use my Swiss Army knife.

[JoeyJoJo]

I have the Data Shark compression tool from Home Depot (around $15) and it works great. I also bought an Ideal stripper there, but the way it works it doesn't seem to be designed for compression connectors (it has three blades instead of two), so I use my Swiss Army knife.


Just used the Data Shark for 15 connections yesterday and all 15 worked great on the first try. I have the 2 blade/fingerhole type of stripper and I did have to adjust the lower blade a bit because it was cutting through the outside wiring, but once I did that it worked like a charm. $15 for the tool, $29 for a container of 50 connectors and $10 for the stripper.

[bobnielsen]

Just used the Data Shark for 15 connections yesterday and all 15 worked great on the first try. I have the 2 blade/fingerhole type of stripper and I did have to adjust the lower blade a bit because it was cutting through the outside wiring, but once I did that it worked like a charm. $15 for the tool, $29 for a container of 50 connectors and $10 for the stripper.

The stripper I bought has three blades. I guess I could lower the third one enough so it didn't cut anything (now that I don't need to make any cables for a while).

[wedge40]

I have been contemplating for some time buying a compression fitting tool, a cable stripper and some compression ends to try to do some of my own cabling (RG6). I cannot afford $400 tools, but am not looking to get the cheapest either (the whole "you get what you pay for" thing).

Can someone recommend a brand or model (even specific model # if you know it) of a compression fitting tool and a cable stripper (I am really not interested in the gray, plastic model with two blades and the hole for the finger - looking for something much more durable and reliable).

Any help is greatly appreciated. I have looked at some at Home Depot (stripper runs about $25, the compression tool about $60?). I am also OK with buying from eBay if I know exactly what I need and can get a better price.

Thanks!

I just got done runing some cable and have the Paladin 901024 crimper and the "cheapo" gray plastic two blade stripper. What I learned about the stripper is that the blades need to be adjusted for the wire your using.. It had sat for a few year without use and when I first started (with practice wire) it wasnt adjusted right.. Took the allen wrench (Thats attached to the tool) and made some adjustment and now it works prefect. When I get a new spool of wire I'll check it again before planning to actually use it.

Tools are a lot like golf clubs.. You can get very expensive tools but if your not using the right then it wont matter how much you spend.