That is one of those kind that doesn;t come down on the connector squarely. It's OK if you are careful, but not best for applying even pressure across all pins and the strain relief clamp.
The Monoprice one I suggested has a lever action plus a ratchet - the handles won't open back up until you've crimped all the way, nearly impossible to mess up. Unless you didn't cut the end square and push the wires all the way to the end of the connector before crimping. Most crimpers have a 2-stage blade for cutting and stripping, which strips just the right length of the outer jacket off, assuming you butt the wire against the stop and don;t cram it int he space.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
I have this one.
http://www.allelectronics.com/make-a-store/item/MPCPT-6/MODULAR-PLUG-CRIMP-TOOL/1.html
It has never made a bad connection.
Dave
Lackawanna Route of the Phoebe Snow
Well, the more expensive crimpers are likely 'better' but how much is highly subjective unless you plan on making hundreds or more cables. The ones I have are Ideal brand that I got a Home Depot or Lowes, around $30 or $40, and ones like that are nearly as much at Monoprice. But the ones I listed should work fine to make a few dozen cable reliably, the more professional ones are less fatiguing when you are making cables all day long.
As for cable testers, a more expensive one is completely unecessary for model railroad use, that one only tests the connections and shows if the cable is wired normal or reverse. A more expensive one tests things like crosstalk at full ethernet frequencies, which is far in excess of what any DCC system bus needs. So unless you are also planning on wiring your house with a computer network, it would be totally wasted on the train layout.
Thanks Randy. I would have ordered ones that were a lot more expensive if I had not your recommendation. I was hoping you would chime in on this since I know you also use Monoprice.
Bob D
Bob D As long as you surface as many times as you dive you`ll be alive to read these posts.
Looking at their selection of crimping tools, this is the cheapest one I would bother getting:
http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=105&cp_id=10509&cs_id=1050901&p_id=3350&seq=1&format=2
The cheaper ones don;t have the levers to push straight down on the plug when crimping - like a pair of ordinary pliers, they will crimp on one edge first. These and most of the more expensive ones they have won't.
This tester is plenty adequate: http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=105&cp_id=10524&cs_id=1052401&p_id=8138&seq=1&format=3#specification
If you are using Digitrax, you can use the LT1 tester than should have come with your system to check that all lines are properly straight through.
I need help once again. I use Monoprice for my cables as do several others on the forumn. I now need to buy a crimper for the 6 conductor cab bus cables (NCE Power Pro) and the loconet cables. Looking at the website what crimper would you buy for RJ 12 crimps. Also along the same line what cable tester would be adequate for testing these cables. I dont want to buy the stock 7, 15 and 25 foot cables. Thanks again