RG6 Crimping help needed!

[Stoystown]

I am cutting some RG6 coax cable, and it seems no matter what I do, the crimped ends of the cables do not stay put.

Please let me know if you have done this, and if so, what is the best way to put a connector on a coax line. I have a crimping tool from Radio Shack.

Thanks!

[Stanley Rohner]

You need to buy the screw on type of connectors, instructions come with the connectors. They work out really well. You won't have any trouble using them. Return the crimping tool to RadioScrap an get your money back.

[stevel]

I don't recommend the screw-on connectors, though some do have success with them.

Best result is from using a hex crimping tool with compound leverage. You also want to crimp twice. Some cheaper connectors are a bit smooth and will fall off anyway, but most of my crimps stay put.

I now have Snap-N-Seal connectors and the proper install tool - this is what the pros use.

[cbordman]

screw-on works much better for me.

[RaleighDavid]

Steve - where do you buy your connectors and tools???

[stevel]

www.partsexpress.com

[RaleighDavid]

Thanks!

[Stanley Rohner]

Screw on type connectors have worked very well for me. They are very tight(don't fall off) and have remained tight & reliable for years now.

You can go out and buy an expensive tool if you really want to I guess.
:rolleyes:

[TivoGeezer]

I have had no trouble just grabbing them with standard pliers, right in the red circle area in the picture below, and giving them a good squeeze.

http://geoff0522.home.comcast.net/Images/pliers.jpg

[ellinj]

The key to proper crimping is having the proper tooks. If you are buying at RadioShack you want the 278-238 hex crimping tool and the 278-248 Deluxe Coax Cable stripper. With these two devices and good quality wire you can get a good crimp every time. Also, don't buy the cheapy cheap Rg6 that radio shack sells in precut lengths (not sure if they still sell it.) the outer conducter is some sort of foil that seems imposible to seperate and get the connect or the end of the wire properly. At least go for the stuffed marked for sat.

Also, last time I was their Lowes sells the Snap-N-Seal stuff that Steve mentioned.

[JimSpence]

I definitely don't recommend the standard pliers crimp as suggested above. If you crimp too hard you can damage the inner part of the connector and possibly cause a short. I have never had a problem with a regular type crimping tool, not the ratcheting type hex, except when using the gold plated looking connectors that split.

[olenwatson]

Some of you probably use hammers to finish off a screw. Completely unprofessional and gerry rigged!

Do you know that the dialectric (the foammy stuff) it important to the transmission of the higher frequencies of satellite? DO NOT use pliers! It will single handedly reduce your signal strength. The ideal crimp uses a uniform compression on the insulators. Thus, even the hex crimps are not the best. If you use screw ons at all DO NOT use them outside. Outside you should have something water resistent. Some connectors have rubber gaskets in the connecting end. Some have gel in the crimping end.

The reason screw on connectors suck(except anecdotally) is that the shielding wires have a tendency to clump one side or the other and the grounding portion often never touches the shielding at all. That is a bad thing. Yes, screw on is cheap but don't ever blame sat technology if you do use them.

Make sure that you get at least 2.2 GigHz RG-6 coax. The best way to ensure smooth insert of wire into connector is to pull the shielding wires firmly and uniformly perpendicular to the wire. This can creates a slight gap between the center foil and the shield wires. That gap will make it easier to put on the connector and prevent bunching or uneven compression. This is the best way to reduce dB loss in a connection.

[classicsat]

My crimper is identical to the RS 278-242. I use the dollar store crimp connectors , they are plated and ribbed and have rubber O rings in them, 4/$1.00 . Never had bad luck with them.

EDIT: Oh, and I strip using a plain utility knifte, works fine.

[Stanley Rohner]

Screw on connectors don't suck!!

I've used screw on connectors inside and outside for years now. No problems. olenwatson is full of hot air as far as screw on connectors are concerned. :)

[dirtypacman]

Originally posted by stevel
I don't recommend the screw-on connectors, though some do have success with them.

Best result is from using a hex crimping tool with compound leverage. You also want to crimp twice. Some cheaper connectors are a bit smooth and will fall off anyway, but most of my crimps stay put.

I now have Snap-N-Seal connectors and the proper install tool - this is what the pros use.

I second the snap-n-seal!

[dswallow]

Originally posted by Stanley Rohner
Screw on connectors don't suck!!
Screw on connectors suck.

Of all possible connectors, these are the worst.

They might work; but they're the least reliable of the bunch. They're designed for consumers who don't want to spend the money for a tool to install connectors with. It's a creative way to provide the ability to install a connector, but it's not a connector you'll ever see anyone professionally installing cable use. Ever. Because they suck.

[Mike1138]

Originally posted by stevel
www.partsexpress.com

Steve

What crimper did you buy? The one that is $54.80 (part #092-475) or the $29.95 (part #360-044)?

Also, does anyone recommend a rotary cable stripper?

[dswallow]

Also see my earlier post about where I got Snap-N-Seal connectors for another source:

http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/showthread.php?postid=1942206#post1942206

The tool I referenced in that post has a rotary cable stripper built in as well, specifically designed to provide the right amount of protruding center conductor and shield for the Snap-N-Seal connectors.

[Dennis Wilkinson]

When I did my house a few years back, I did everything with crimp-on connectors. Tools help -- a rotary stripper for the insulation and dielectric, a T-handled tool to help get the leverage to seat the connector properly, and a good hex crimper with compund leverage and the right size for the wire you're using and I haven't had any issues at all with those connectors. All of those tools can be found at Radio Shack or any of the other places mentioned (like Steve, I've ordered from Parts Express. Worthington Distribution also carries some of these supplies.)

Since then, though, I've switched over to the Snap N' Seal stuff for newer cables. Just a much better design, and most look like they're less likely to damage the outside insulator if the wire gets pulled the wrong way inadvertantly.

I avoid screw-on type connectors entirely.

[Stanley Rohner]

Screw on connectors DO WORK, not MIGHT WORK. They MIGHT work if you DON'T strip the cable properly.

Screw on connectors don't suck!

SHEEESH!!! That swallow guy sure was worked up about it.
Calm down dude!, relax! Take some deep breaths. It's just a cable connector. Get over it.

[dswallow]

Originally posted by Stanley Rohner
Screw on connectors DO WORK, not MIGHT WORK. They MIGHT work if you DON'T strip the cable properly.

Screw on connectors don't suck!

SHEEESH!!! That swallow guy sure was worked up about it.
Calm down dude!, relax! Take some deep breaths. It's just a cable connector. Get over it. You seem a little more worked up over it than I ever did. Believe me, screw-on connectors are the very last thing I'd ever spend time thinking about, except when someone makes claims they should be on anyone's list of connectors-of-choice.

You *could* strip coax cable and directly insert it in the mating connector, then wrap the shield braid around the outside of the connector, and use a rubber band to hold it in place. That'll work too. But it's also something I don't recommend.

[Stanley Rohner]

Yeah, Whatever you say....

That comment about using a rubber band sure has me convinced you aren't worked about this.

:rolleyes:

[dirtypacman]

Originally posted by Stanley Rohner
Screw on connectors DO WORK, not MIGHT WORK. They MIGHT work if you DON'T strip the cable properly.

Screw on connectors don't suck!

SHEEESH!!! That swallow guy sure was worked up about it.
Calm down dude!, relax! Take some deep breaths. It's just a cable connector. Get over it.

Pretty funny to respond to a thread that was closed 2 days ago with another rant.

And I agree with swallow

Screw on Connecters do suck. LOL!

[dirtypacman]

LOL --- happy happy joy joy!

[Stanley Rohner]

What's that last message all about?

I guess dirtypacman must be off the medication again.

[drod47lax]

I am having problem with my connections. I have this this so rigged, I'm using exisiting cables with couplers two and three way splitters and screw on rg6 connectors. I get a good signal on one of the tv's (which is a much higher quality tv) but the rest are really fuzzy... I've checked every connection over and over again with no results. Is there a certain way to use the screw ons other than the obvious normal way???? I would appreciate any suggestions possible.... PLEASE HELP! my renters are getting upset :confused:

[stevel]

Well, the certain way is to not use screw-on connectors. But I would also worry about the splitters. Three-way splitters have two outputs at lower levels than the third. You may need a signal amplifier.

It's not clear to me what type of signal you're distributing - is this cable or antenna?

[rawbi01]

I've tried all of the connectors .. I finally bit the bullet and bought the tools for compresion fittings. It takes 2 seconds to make a end and they are water tight.

[OLdDog]

As most people that do a lot of cable work (or have in the past) know placing the ends on the cable is a much an art as it is a skill.

Every standard connector can be installed to work great or can be installed to fail.

There are some that are harder to screw up than others but there are none that are fool proof and none that are inherently bad.

The screw on connectors are one of the ones that it is VERY easy to install wrong as they are quite unforgiving of size mismatches or improper stripping but there are quite reliable if all the criteria for the install are met.

The easiest to get right are the snap and seal and the standard crimp type are in between.

I use standard crimp on as it is what I am most comfortable with and I have over 30 years practice.

The trick to ALL connectors is correct stripping and using the correct tools.

That being said you can get by with less than the perfect tool if you add extra care to the mix. ie. You can crimp with pliers BUT you must crimp mult times and move the compression point around the connector as you gradually get the compression right. But, with the right tool all you need is one good squeeze.

The final thing is that there are no right/wrong connectors just varrying degrees of skill/care/time needed to get the connector installed correctly.

Oh: any connector that does not contain sealant and will be exposed at all to the elements needs to be sealed using a non-conductive sealant after crimping.

[JimSpence]

It's interesting that this thread has resurfaced. I did all of my own crimp connections using cheap connectors and a low end hex crimper. I had very few failures, but I never liked the look of the finished product. Last week I bought a A/V cabinet to hold my DVRs and AV Receiver and DVD recorder. I also got rid of diplexers for the OTA antenna. Well I had to run two more RG-6 lines, so I decided to redo all connectors. I bought a $20 compression tool and a box of 50 connectors for the job. I already had the stripping tool for the cable. These went on so quickly compared to crimping them. Well 40 changes later, I have just about all brand new connections. :)

Bottom line, use compression fittings. They won't fall off. :D