I have a lot of ethernet cable crimping coming up. Is there a particular brand or model you guys would recommend. I have used a friend's Silverline/Rolson crimping tool and didn't like it (I wonder if the Maplin connectors I used weren't meant for solid core cables). Would be a bonus if it can do RJ11 or has a exchangeable die for crimping other connectors.
I can't recommend a brand, but general any crimp tool that has a ratchet mech built in will give you a better result as you have to squeeze it until the crimp is complete. Otherwise you are just relying on your hand gril to get the same pressure each time. I personally use something similar to these http://ordering.nimans.net/product/16126/mills-rj11--rj45-ratchet-crimper
I bought the crimper that Clas Ohlson sells, paid 20 euros and I have crimped hundreds of ends with it. Still works like new. Its also all in one that does C8P8, C6P6, C4P4.
I can't recommend one but I can recommend which one not to get. Maplin's one rolled the pins sideways so the connector was uselss. Do not buy
Got one for about £3.50 off Amazon, hasn't arrived yet though. Should be interesting to see how it is
http://www.amazon.co.uk/None-RJ45-CRIMP-TOOL/dp/B000NOOOQ4/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1360169925&sr=8-7 I have this, have had it for nearly 2 years, have crimped maybe 1,500 rj45 jacks in that time and it still fine. Just fine I spose, it's not as easy as some tools I have used and it's not as bad as some others. Like, there is no fancy pivot or anything to make crimping less effort, but I don't think that is really necessary unless you have strength equal to a small animal. It's also serviceable in that all the parts on it are changeable. And you can swap out the die should you need to change it for a different connector, I have a die about somewhere for rj11 as I have seldom had to terminate those.
