networking @sh.itjust.works ruplicant @sh.itjust.works 9 mo. ago

Cable crimpers and networking tools

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

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