So I decided to buy some rj45 connectors, a rj45 cable tester and a crimp tool.

Only trouble is I can't seem to get a good connection!! My cable tester shows a dodgey connection (or eight) on each cable I make. Good thing I got 100 connectors Quite spectacularly on my latest one all eight wires failed despite triple checking my wiring IE I know the wires are in the right place....

Is it

a) cos I'm using solid core when I should be using stranded
b) cos I've bought cheap arse rj45 plugs which are jz
c) cos it takes a lot of practice to make good connectors
d) cos I'm blond....

In my attempts to make those rj45 connections I had a hard time making sure that each of the 8 wires were seated correctly in their own little trough.

My answer would be ....... c

I found it takes some practice. Keep plodding along, it'll come.

Beags

Ben,
Solid conductors is correct ie Cat 5 computer cable.
Strip back the correct amount of the outer cable, then put the colours in the correct order and while holding them all flat between your fingers snip them off neatly and square so they all fit into the rj45 squarely and all the way in. Done hundreds and is easy once you get the sequence right. Good Luck.

Mick from sunny Australia but wet now.

Guess I have to keep on practising then!!!

I would say D.

It's very easy, then again I would say that its part of my job.

Just do as mentioned above. I get W/o and O inbetween my thumb and forefinger and straighten them out then just keep adding to them 1 at a time making them nice a straight as I add each one.

Once you have them all together 1 final straighten cut them off square (this is the most important part for getting a good connection) making sure they are long enough.
You will find the outer sheath will push up the cables and into the connector a little so if the group is a little too long it doesn't matter too much.

And last but not least as said before practice makes perfect.

Must be those B&Q connectors

crimp tool?

I use a pair of wire cutters and a flat screw driver.

Looks like persistance is the key.... I've just made one with one slightly intermitent connection (nothing a good wiggle can't sort out)..... but I'm getting there!!

quote:

---

Originally posted by big-vee-twin
Must be those B&Q connectors

---

It's a perfect example of practice makes perfect.

I've tried it at work before with professional production line tools and not managed it with any repeatability. On the other hand we have a line operator who can do it behind her back all day every day

Guy I used to work for made me sit and make 100 1m cables from a box of cable as we were desperate on a Saturday. I got 90 in before he told me he had got some pre-made ones in the day before and he left me to it as I needed to practice...

Needless to say I wasn't happy but I make a perfect cable every time now!

Just practice and practice some more!

Mark

Practice it is then. I guess it's one of those infurtiating jobs where you just seem to get better with practice even though you're not actually doing anything different!!!

Made a fair few in my time .... practice practice and test

[Edited on 5-6-10 by mangogrooveworkshop]