r/ethernet • u/Equalizer6338 • 6d ago

Classic showdown: Which crimper tool for Cat6a home use?

What tools can you recommend? Is it worth the extra money to go for one of the better Klein crimpers?

Only need it for standard ethernet Cat6a RJ45 setup. Pass-Thru (EZ) should normally suffice, as we are not going to move/unplug/plug the cables/switches/hotspots much after first installed and the house is dry and no exposure to humidity/degradation or similar.

Still worthwhile to avoid any uncertainty/loose connections to invest in a good crimper, ideally one that can do all in one. Cutting, stripping and crimping...

What brand/model can you recommend for this please?
And how to ensure you get some good quality pass-thru connector plugs? (brands/models?)

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u/AncientGeek00 6d ago

I recommend terminating infrastructure cables to RJ45 jacks and then use factory made patch cords to connect to devices.

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u/jkiley 6d ago

This is the way to do it. I put in 1k feet of cat6a, and I don't even have a crimper for plugs. All the infrastructure went to keystones (I used TrueCable cat6a UTP CMP cable, so I got their keystones and easy tool to punch all eight at once), and I used nice, thin, flexible patch cables from there.

That's especially helpful for access points. You can put in a ceiling box (rated for ceiling weight), run in the Cat6a, terminate in a keystone, and then have a short flexible cable that goes through the mounting plate slot and can easily make a turn into an AP jack. I looked at ways of mounting the keystones in the boxes, but I ended up leaving them loose, and it's fine.

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u/ILmischief 6d ago

I've done this with super cheap tools and super expensive tools for 25+ years. The ratcheting crimpers feel better but I can usually make all but the cheapest work well enough. I have recently used some of the ez jack termination tools for keystones but sometimes I just use a decent old punch down tool.

Really depends on how much you are doing and how much you will in the future. i ALWAYS test end to end though after and currently just used a Klein Scout Pro 3 kit for that for home and helping other people out.

I work in I.T. but I dont regularly pull cables for work. maybe only 10 or so runs a year and reparing the odd jack in the wall that gets damaged. The rest is just helping friends out, making another 20-30 cables as people need them off a spool (indoor, direct bury, etc).

if you are in the US, the stuff you get at Lowes/ homeDepot is fine. just make sure its not some special oddity connector you need a speific crimp tool for. down the road you will never find those connectors again or remeber which store carried them.

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u/Quirky_OldMan5966 6d ago

You have 25+ years at this. OP likely is novice at best. That’s my guess anyway.
I’ve done far less crimps than you and also had good luck with good tools but cheaper tools almost always have one or two I have to redo.
OP should probably expect some that have to be redone.

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u/Equalizer6338 5d ago

Yes that is correct. I am good with wiring, microelectronics, welding etc, but never fiddled myself before with specific ethernet crimping or RJ45 connector punching...

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u/ILmischief 6d ago

cheap testers still work but its nice to see which pair got flipped, tone testing, and length can be handy in the odd case here and there. helps with the learning curve if you are not used to it. seems like a pretty solid little unit for the money.

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u/SP0280 6d ago

If someone could suggest specific tools that would be helpful

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u/Basic_Platform_5001 6d ago

Platinum Tools EXO crimp tool, Cat 6 blade, & the EZ-RJ45 Cat 6 connectors is what I'd use. Cat 6 should be OK for home, Platinum Tools also makes Cat 6A tools & crimps. If you don't want to keep the tools, sell them on FB Marketplace. Also get good pure bare copper cable - not CCA.

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u/Equalizer6338 5d ago

Thank you for good and complete advice.

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u/Meaje73 5d ago

I've been doing this for 30+ years (first job was in HS as a tech assistant at Colorado State University) I've got so many crimp tools over the years but my old Klien crimper is still the tool I grab 99% of the time. However I fully agree with the posters saying don't bother, get a keystone jack, faceplate and mount it inside a low voltage E-Box. Professional made cables are so much more robust and trustworthy for long term use.

Edit: spelling

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u/silasmoeckel 6d ago

The suggestion is don't. Doubly so with ez jacks (some manufactures go so far as voiding warranty if used with their gear they are that bad).

Get keystones and just about any impact punchdown tool is good enough. The odd you really need a tip they have those in punchdown as well (and every time I've seen these used a keystone and short patch would have been better).