good rj45 crimp tool?

FoxEye · 5 Mar 2011 at 18:10

Before we begin... I know network cable is cheap to buy pre-made. But the plugs on the ends would mean drilling large holes in the wall to feed them through. And, well, I've already drilled small holes

I'd like to get a good crimp tool with cable stripper, around £15 - £20.

I hear the ratchet type are the ones to go for, or the scissor type.

Amazon do a couple for £4 and I'm going to assume they're complete rubbish

Any recommendations? OcUK don't sell em, sadly.

Tealc · 5 Mar 2011 at 18:15

I have a ratchet type tool but I've also used a small screwdriver before I got hole of it and all my terminations turned out ok.

It's not like you are going to be doing hundreds (or are you?) so the cheaper will probably be just fine. You may need to check them over and make adjustments with a small flat screwdriver if it's not up to standard.

I must say though the ratchet one I have is good but it was bought by my old employer from RS components for a pretty penny. I must have fitted oh at least 5 connectors with it over the last 10 years.

Deleted member 77746 · 5 Mar 2011 at 20:26

I use a set of these, scissor type.

FoxEye · 5 Mar 2011 at 21:05

iDroid84 said:
I use a set of these, scissor type.

What I've discovered is that a lot of companies are simply re-branding Hanlong Tools products and selling them on. (Made in Taiwan)

Yours is one of those, and one I'm considering buying (HT-568R).

FoxEye · 5 Mar 2011 at 22:03

Every single tool on that river place is one of these:

http://www.hanlong.com.tw/en/type1.html

Even the Draper tools are just re-branded Hanlong. Does anyone make their own stuff anymore? I thought Draper was a proper manufacturing company, but apparently not.

I guess everything bar nothing is made in Taiwan these days.

wij · 5 Mar 2011 at 22:33

I have a Paladin one, was a bit more than £20 but then I do a crimp a lot of cables some times so it was well worth it for me.

http://www.paladin-tools.com/view_tool.php?id=60&parent_id=77

Think they're about £125 from places like RS.

FoxEye · 6 Mar 2011 at 00:32

Had a quick look at some of the Paladin crimpers, and... they look identical - and I mean identical - to the Hanlong crimpers.

I suspect more re-branding is afoot...

It seems this Hanlong company makes tools for just about everybody.

wij · 6 Mar 2011 at 08:41

FoxEye said:
Had a quick look at some of the Paladin crimpers, and... they look identical - and I mean identical - to the Hanlong crimpers.

I suspect more re-branding is afoot...

It seems this Hanlong company makes tools for just about everybody.

I think Paladin do their own in some cases but yes a few of their range seems similar, but that particular one certainly isn't a Hanlong design (the ratchet design seems to be unique to them).

Infact I've seen that particular model re badged by a lot of people - Blackbox for example sell them as their own.

At the end of the day though I'd agree with what has been said above, if you're only doing a few then a £20 tool will suit you just fine. I terminate probably hundreds of plugs a month when we're busy and I find the cheap ones just don't last very long!

Deleted member 77746 · 6 Mar 2011 at 10:00

It doesn't matter if they are re-branded. They are the same, except price. You can pick a pair of the ones I have for next to nothing.

RJH · 6 Mar 2011 at 14:42

I bought one from a well known auction site for £4.00 including delivery - its brilliant - cuts, strips and crimps and appears very well made. Maybe not for professional use but home use, excellent. pm me for a link.
Regards