F-connector installation tool for RG-6 quad shield?

[Nate Nagel]

Hi all

bought a roll of quad shield a while ago and still have a good bit left. Still find myself occasionally needing to make up a cable. Connectors are damn near impossible to install on this stuff; I had a tool that looked like a blue handled screwdriver but where the tip would be was a male thread to hold the f-connector; in the handle there was a little baloney cut piece of tube to help open up the cable around the shield prior to pushing in the connector. It's apparently in a very safe place, meaning that the only way I'm ever going to find it is to buy another one and then it'll magically appear.

Problem is, I know I didn't buy it locally, I couldn't find anything like it. I must have ordered it online, but I can't remember where, nor is a quick search turning up anything. Anyone know what I'm talking about and know where I can get one? Is there another style of tool that will do the same job only better?

thanks

nate

[gfretwell]

You can epoxy a male connector into the end of a short piece of broomstick for pushing in the connector.

[Nate Nagel]

it's the flaring bit that I really need, though. Just pushing in the connector doesn't seem to work with the cable/connectors that I have.

nate

[Pete C.]

What type of tool? Did you get the Ideal (blue) compression type F connector tool kit that Lowe's carries for ~$50 or so?

There are plenty of different tools available for terminating coax cable, and the last time I looked, both Depot and Lowe's carried a fairly good selection.

[aemeijers]

If these cable are just for you and your relatives, HF has a pretty decent knockoff of the 'real' compression end tools and fittings, at about 20 bucks for the tool and 5 bucks for 5 fittings. I wouldn't use them for paying customers, but if it is just family, so what if you have to redo a few of them?

I got to use a mil-spec (like for olive drab satt dishes) compression fitting tool once. Sweet, but several hundred dollars, and the fittings were about 3 bucks a pop, the instructor said. We each got to do ONE of them, in the class.

Compression fittings are the only way to go, IMHO.

-- aem sends...

[RBM]

You can certainly find coax strippers anywhere including Depot and lowes. Not sure if you are using crimp connectors or compression connectors, but at least with the Ideal compression connectors, there are different ones for dual shield and quad shield cable. It may be that you're stuffing a quad cable into a dual connector

[N8N]

nope, these are connectors for quad shield... it's just that the cable is HARD to get the ends into. They're compression connectors BTW. Don't remember what brand, but the brand of cable and connectors matched. Philips maybe? I know I bought everything at Lowe's but then had to get the installation tool (not the crimp tool or strippers) elsewhere. Only way I could seem to get 'em in there was with the tool that I can't find now :/

nate

[Mr.E]

I had the same problem with the shields bunching. I cut the cable, shields and about half the center insulation about 3/8 in back of the end and pull them off (half the center insulation keeps from nicking the center conductor). Next I cut about 1/32 of the outer jacket off. Trim the outer shield and outer foil even with the jacket. Fold the inner shield strands straight out and leave the inner shield alone. the cable will usually push on fine and the center insulation/shield will be flush with the connector back when you crimp or compress the connector. Never had one short or go bad with this method but YMMV.

[George]

Because poor cabling can be really troublesome to troubleshoot?

For sure.

But it is hard to convince folks. Those twist on and crimp connectors featured at the big box places are junk. I have two friends who are always calling about TV and Internet issues and they used those junky connectors. Trying to convince them of that is like trying to get them to believe a carrot is growing out of their nose.

Another friend was having constant issues in a house they bought. I explained that the connectors he found were junk and he trusted my judgment. I went over one day a few years back and cut off the junk connectors and put on snap seals and he hasn't had a problem since.

[Molly Brown]

[zek]

[Pete C.]

Quality fittings are the only way to go, compression or crimp. There are low quality knock-offs of both types and high quality versions of both types.

[Robert Green]

nope, these are connectors for quad shield... it's just that the cable is HARD to get the ends into. They're compression connectors BTW. Don't remember what brand, but the brand of cable and connectors matched. Philips maybe? I know I bought everything at Lowe's but then had to get the installation tool (not the crimp tool or strippers) elsewhere. Only way I could seem to get 'em in there was with the tool that I can't find now :/

------------------------------------------------------------------------

I just use a deep socket nut driver and ream the connectors into the cable. As someone else noted, there are many different designs of connector so YMMV. Takes a lot of pushing and twisting, but eventually the connector's inner sleeve does push the braiding open. The advantage of slowly forcing it in is that it makes a very solid connection with no chance of ever pulling off. I've had genuine Snap'n'Seals pull free, although they were easier to slip on than the Platinum brand connectors I use now.

-- Bobby G.

[Mr.E]

Google for a Paladin Tools 1917 and see if this is what you are searching for.

[Nate Nagel]

no, it's not what I was thinking of, but it might work. thanks!

nate

[JIMMIE]

I had the tool and still wasnt happy about how hard it was to push the end on(arthritis). I took a piece of hobby brass tubing and chucked it in a file handle. I slide the tubing between the center conductor and shield and worry it around a little before I put the end on. Sorry I dont know what size tubing I used. Just take a sample of the cable with you to the hobby store and find a piece that just fits over the center conductor and insulation. Similar tool is also useful for unfastening the plastic standoffs used to hold PC mother boards in place.

Jimmie

[Tekkie®]

Nate Nagel posted for all of us...

There is a tool available similar to what you made to expand the sheathing & shield. Off hand cannot remember the name or source but my foggy memory hints at

[clare]

Mine just says "Co-Axial Cable Waterproof Connectors Crimping Tool" It's kinda like a pliers with no jaws. Bout it in a kit with 10 terminals at our local electronics parts/surplus emporium, Sayal Electronics if I remember correctly - on special for about $15 or so.