coaxial compression tool?

[WayneW]

I am looking for advice on getting a compression crimp tool for coax cable. Looking at the price of some of these fittings, I think I will settle for just being able to do F connectors and then use adapters if needed. The BNC and RCA connectors are way more expensive than the F connectors.

As I understand it, these things are not all universal and that you need to get the proper fittings for the tool you have. Therefore I think I want a name brand, not some generic import.

big names are:
Thomas and Betts Snap N Seal #SNSUTL
Paladin SealTite #901024
Paladin DataShark #70014

Is RG59 the cable I want for security cameras?

 

[rocco]

Is RG59 the cable I want for security cameras?

Well, I can help a little.

RG59 is fine for composite video and TV. But the higher cable channels and satellite channels require the higher bandwidth of RG6. You may want to standardize on RG6.

 

[TCassio]

With RG6, there are a couple of different types. There is standard and quad. The quad has more sheilding and its diameter is slightly larger. There are also different F connectors for each type of cable. I believe they are color coded.

 

[Mike]

After having tried another one which I was not happy with I went with this:

(actually bought from that store as well)

http://www.mjsales.net/items.asp?FamilyID=...D=263&Cat2ID=90

and the corresponding sargent tool listed for it (I got the one with the stripper as well).

Much happier, and I did as rocco recommends and use rg6 for everything.

 

[WayneW]

Mike, which one didn't you like?

 

[Steve]

I needed to put on a bunch of RG6 for Satellite. I used THISone from Rat Shack and it worked great.

 

[TCassio]

The one that you showed from Rat Shack is a crimp tool, not a compression tool. The compression type are much better than crimp. Thats why all the cable companies use them.

 

[Mike]

Mike, which one didn't you like?

I believe it was the 18001 connectors here:

http://www.hometech.com/techwire/coaxconn.html

with this tool (16201):

http://www.hometech.com/tools/coax.html

I cant link directly just scroll down and you will find it.

The one I recommended I have been very happy with, and the connections come out the way they should (now perhaps I was doing something wrong with the other one, but well worth money in getting the new one. Perfect connection every time).

 

[Steve]

The one that you showed from Rat Shack is a crimp tool, not a compression tool.

Ooops, sorry. Oh well, the cheapies worked fine for my RG6 satellite cable.

 

[dhoward]

Wayne,

I have the 204-038 from this site: http://www.newtechindustries.com/structure...s_strippers.htm. Works very well, adjustable, includes multiple fittings, and cheap.

Dave.

 

[WayneW]

What brand of connectors have you used with it? This looks like a generic import which concerns me a little. Is it trial-and-error adjustable or do they just mean the swappable dies? I just wish everybody could agree on one size & style of compression fitting so that everything was universal.

Home Depot has a cheap $17 DataShark tool. It is actually from Paladin, which is a good name, but Paladin doesn't have this line on their web site. The package gives no idea as to what size or type of connectors work with it. Maybe I should buy it and some of the $7 package of 10 F connectors and quit over-analyzing things. :lol:

 

[dhoward]

Wayne,

Trial and error adjustable. Ive used the Ideal connectors (from Home Depot) as well as the connectors they sell on their site. The dies are threaded with a locknut so you can adjust the depth of the compression to match the particular connector you're using.

They had these as a show special at the last EHX in Orlando (you missed it because you spent too much time at the Smarthome booth B)).

Dave.