Need To Make Some Cables (Cat 5e)

DeepDiver

Is it worth making your own cables?
I know you can buy various lengths already, but you can never make them look tidy.
So, if I made my own lengths I can keep slack to a minimum.

Can you recommend cable, Connectors & Crimper. TIA

ChuckMountain

Imo not if they are patch cables.  I have done it before and it's just a lot more hassle.

You can buy a variety of length cables premade for very low cost these days in different colours with snagless boots etc.

How many you making?

DeepDiver

Only about 12. Not a lot really. All different lengths. Sick of it looking like spaghetti junction behind unit. Only need 6 there. Other 6 for upstairs

DeepDiver

Can I assume that with over 200 views and 1 reply that i'm wasting my time making my own Patch leads?

chazman88

Personally I always make all of my own patch cables, but I do AV for a living so it’s just second nature.

Ultimately the only way of getting cables the exact size you need is to make them yourself, however if your not set up for it then it will cost more in time, money and effort.

It’s always a skill worth having though.....

DeepDiver

Thanks for the reply. If I decide to make my own, could you recommend a cable to buy.  From trawling the Internet I should avoid cca wire. Should I use stranded cable or solid. Could not find stranded cable. Are premade cables stranded or solid.

ChuckMountain

Pre-made cables are stranded and they are more flexible.

rorton

do you know the exact lengths you need - i bought a roll of good quality stranded Cat5 cable for doing the same thing - i could make you some for a few beer tokens, or ship you a length if you could cover postage?

chazman88

We tend to use Excel Cat6 cable (for no real reason apart from it’s what our supplier has). As long as you stay away from cca cable you should be fine. I would also suggest staying away from shielded Cat cable as it’s unnecessary for what you’re doing, harder to terminate and a lot less flexible.

If you’ve got the budget then look into the EZ-RJ45 connectors and crimper as this would make terminating easier. Otherwise go for a budget ratchet type crimp tool. Stay away from the very very cheep basic compression crimps.

mickevh

Keep digging, there's plenty out there. It's sold as bulk cable in various lengths just like solid core cable. Often it's styled as "patch" cable as that's it's intended purpose - making up patch-cords.