Best Source of Cable and Wire

[EDP]

Monoprice has great prices (before shipping) on network cables, but unfortunately they don't carry much else in the way of bulk wiring (speaker, security, fire-wire,etc.) and their prices on RG-6QS aren't that great. I'm looking for an all in one company to buy inexpensive bulk cable and wiring from. With the advent of Amazon Prime, it seems like Amazon is a good choice for most of the cables and wires mentioned (except fire-wire).

Has anyone had any dealings with cablewholesale.com? Any other companies to check out?

 

[Del91574]

Depends on what background and availability to trade sources you have (or don't have) and what sorts of volumes you're looking at. Most trade suppliers typically don't have flat and fixed pricing for cabling as it's a commodity item.

I've used CSC, Windy City WIre, Genesis (Honeywell) Coleman, Skywalker and Paige among others.

The largest item to consider is where the cable is sourced from as many of the overseas brands or those made in China have been known to have counterfeit UL listings, jacket ratings and even not be made out of copper at all. Coax is the largest one to pay attention to, as the cheaper brands are typically CCS center conductors with aluminum braid, as well as lacking the sweep testing and certification of "brand name" cables. The old addage holds true, you get what you pay for 99% of the time.

 

[EDP]

Thanks DELInstallations. We own a couple of retail locations - so I have access to dealer pricing. With that being said, I still find that buying from Monoprice or Amazon is still often cheaper.

I hear you when you say you get what you pay for. I would agree that this is often (although not always) the case. Have you ever used monoprice cables? While they are made in China, I've always had good luck with them.

 

[Del91574]

I would look into Skywalker, they offer enough to be worthwhile and are close enough to the pricing I get from my local trade suppliers, less the shipping aspect.

Since I'm seeing your area of the country, AVAD is in your neck of the woods, they might be worthwhile to look into for an OTC solution.

We've used some network cabling from Monoprice and while it worked and seemed OK, none of it would test close to spec of the "brand name" cables using a pentascanner. YMMV. That and we can't risk repulling large cable plants gambling on the quality of the cable and whether or not it's truly UL listed or the jacket is what it's supposed to be. You need to consider the application. Pulling 1-2M in a small house project vs. 10-20K for a decent size integration project.

Usually the giveaway is the weight of a 1M box of cable, so I'd ask what the tare weight vs. shipping weight is.

 

[Neurorad]

You may want to check with your local electric supply houses.

Buying US/North American made products has its moral benefits. I don't like supporting China, because it's still a crappy country. Also, it takes a lot of energy to get it here. And, supporting US workers and manufacturing is a plus.

 

[EDP]

Thanks guys. DEL, I'll definitely check out both Skywalker and AVAD. Neurorod, I totally agree with the notion of supporting US workers and manufacturing. You can thank Walmart though for forcing many companies - including my family's business that owns two retail stores - for having to purchase items made in China. Consumers are so price conscious that we couldn't make the margins to stay in business if we relied on goods manufactured in the US (not to mention most large companies manufacturer their goods in China and we don't have a choice).

 

[tmbrown97]

I'll stay off the foreign goods topic - but for cabling, if you're a dealer, you have access to a lot of options; I get a lot of supplies from Graybar, an electrical supply house that has specialties in communications at certain branches. Other places with dealer programs have cabling - like SnapAV, any of the automation companies as well like AutomatedOutlet.com or HomeControls.com; or any other trade supply companies.

Amazon is great - but unfortunately even they are getting flooded with cheap foreign junk. Just be careful what you buy and who you buy from.

 

[pete_c]

Here too staying away from the foreign versus domestic thread. You do have to be careful as the really good deals sometimes are just really junk.

I "got a deal" on a 1000 feet of quad shielded double RG-6 Monster cable when about 10 years ago. I always read that it was high quality "stuff".

One day while cabling in my attic I moved the double quad shielded Monster cable. The outer plastic covering crumbled in my hand exposing the sheilding underneath. This is the first time I had ever seen this with RG-6 cabling. I still have much RG-6 around. That said found some quad shielded RG-6 cabling that is utilized by Comcast. It today remains very pliable whether outside in 10 F temperatures or inside in the attic.

 

[FaderJockey]

JMO, stick with Belden, Gepco or one of the major wire manufacturers if quality is a concern.

I use Belden for all my coax and network cable needs. Never had any issue with their product.

 

[dgage]

Any recommendations for what/where to buy cable if you aren't a dealer? East coast would be nice too for reduced shipping costs. Specifically for me I'm looking for CAT6, speaker cable, 18/4, and 22/4. Thanks.

 

[Del91574]

I would look into a local electrical supply. Most will allow an OTC purchase without being "trade". The better supply houses have a devent low voltage line card and not generic "builder spec" cabling, not to mention what you spend in gas, etc. probably equals out to what it would be shipped.

Barring that, I'd recommend going and trying CSC.

 

[elvisimprsntr]

Prices for heavy bulk items are probably not that good on monoprice due to weight. I would try your local wholesale electrical supply too. They may give you grief because you don't have a license, but in a slow economy they will not turn away cash. Wait until all the electrical contractors are serviced first.

 

[EDP]

Any opinions on Steren cables?

 

[Del91574]

I've never used them and they're really not on my radar compared to the major players. I own a Steren labelled compression connector crimp tool and it's OK quality wise, but it's no Ripley tool.

 

[Neurorad]

Many pros seem to use Liberty for direct ship cable, and no online complaints (unlike many other suppliers).