rg6

[SGKent]

just got around to another project - moving a RG6 cable to a new location. The last time I messed with RG6 or RG59 one used hex crimpers and connectors, rather than compression connectors. My understanding is that the compression connectors are far superior to the older style and tape to seal. I will do maybe 4 to 6 connectors in the next 10 years. Can someone recommend a good brand connector and a good brand tool set. Also do the older style hex crimpers have any value? If not I can't see leaving them in the tool box to take up valuable space.

 

[38 Dodge Coupe]

I don't remember the brand but I purchased the upgraded compression and stripper tool on ebay for under $20. I had just upgraded to internet, phone and cable at the house and I noticed the installer was using the newer style tool. He showed me how it worked and I got the same item for my own personal use. It is much improved over the old style tool which I already had. I kept the old tool but I doubt it has any value.

 

[nadogail]

You might be better off buying prefabricated cable assemblies. I found a company Showmecables that was very reasonable

 

[pmiranda]

Subscribed since I’ll need this next month

 

[SGKent]

cable is already in the attic and wall. Prefab is out. I am thinking compression fittings, compression tool, and stripper. My old way of pocket knife, wire cutters, and hex crimp tool is not as neat as today's compression fittings. Tools can range from $15 sets to $150 sets. No idea what works and what does not.

ALSO - I ran grey electrical conduit under the lawn and concrete to the house years ago to make it easy to pull a new coax cable. Does anyone make a fitting that goes on the end of the grey electrical pvc that the coax can exit thru? I'd like something better than just caulking it, which is what I did with the sprinkler wires, but I can do that. Don't know if the cable company will like it but the way the do things they may never even notice.

 

[nmk_61802]

For Strippers I have both this one:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00939KH0M/?tag=atomicindus08-20

and this one:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B006C4CGLE/?tag=atomicindus08-20

For just cable, the Platinum Tools is far superior. The universal is difficult to get adjusted to different brands of cable to avoid cutting the braids on the second cut.

I am currently using a Klein VDV211-048:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07G3BRDK3/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I switched from a non-adjustable Ideal brand because it was over-compressing some fittings and splitting them.

The last time I bought compression fittings, I bought these from Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00B8CISSU/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I used to buy them in bulk from Menards or HF, but both drastically increased pricing last time I was in the market. Never had a problem with either fittings.

I ditched all of the crimp fittings. No real need for them once you have the compression tools.

 

[pentavolvo]

Guess I’m old school, I still use a hex crimper that is 20 years old

 

[theoldwizard1]

Snap-N-Seal is the brand of connectors you want. (The brand has been bought and sold a couple of times in the past 10 years. I believe it is currently owned by Belden.) SO MUCH BETTER than any of the crimp type.

I the "official" tool, IT1000 because it is a combination stripper and compression too. (You will notice from the Amazon listing that they reference two other companies, Thomas & Betts and Augat, They both own Snap-N-Seal at one time or another.)

The proper RG6 connector is a SNS1P6. It is blue.

Also do the older style hex crimpers have any value?

Nope !

 

[SGKent]

the "official" tool, IT1000 because it is a combination stripper and compression too.

ouch $$ on the official tool. But I will consider it.

 

[larry4406]

I have the Klein VDV211-048 Compression Tool and Klein Klein VDV110-061 2-Level Coaxial Cable Stripper. Both work extremely well and dead simple to use. Purchased them at Home Depot. I also use the Klein connectors.

I bought them when we canceled DirecTV and installed a roof mounted antenna. I ran Belden RG6 Quadshield.

 

[SGKent]

I have the Klein VDV211-048 Compression Tool and Klein Klein VDV110-061 2-Level Coaxial Cable Stripper. Both work extremely well and dead simple to use. Purchased them at Home Depot. I also use the Klein connectors.

I bought them when we canceled DirecTV and installed a roof mounted antenna. I ran Belden RG6 Quadshield.

I was thinking about this set because it is simple to obtain and Klein usually works well.

 

[AE2]

I have the older version of this set. $40 at Lowes. The only reason I upgraded was to be able to do BNCs and 90 degree connectors.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/IDEAL-Linear-X3-Compression-Hip-Kit-Compression-Tool/1000404645

 

[AE2]

Something like this would work for the conduit. You'd need the pvc threaded adapter and then this.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/1-2-in-Nylon-Connector-LPCG50-1/100160738

 

[infinkc]

I have the Klein VDV211-048 Compression Tool and Klein Klein VDV110-061 2-Level Coaxial Cable Stripper. Both work extremely well and dead simple to use. Purchased them at Home Depot. I also use the Klein connectors.

I bought them when we canceled DirecTV and installed a roof mounted antenna. I ran Belden RG6 Quadshield.

I use the klein also, work great. used it a bunch when i did my old security cameras that used rg6. Recently did connectors for my dtv and subwoofer.

 

[rlitman]

Guess I’m old school, I still use a hex crimper that is 20 years old

Modern cable systems should not have ANY hex crimps. Aside from the fact that a hex crimp cannot be made weatherproof, they also reflect a significant amount of signal that will degrade many high channels. If you have satellite or a cable modem, again, you WILL have issues with hex crimps.

Snap-N-Seal is the brand of connectors you want. (The brand has been bought and sold a couple of times in the past 10 years. I believe it is currently owned by Belden.) SO MUCH BETTER than any of the crimp type.

I the "official" tool, IT1000 because it is a combination stripper and compression too. (You will notice from the Amazon listing that they reference two other companies, Thomas & Betts and Augat, They both own Snap-N-Seal at one time or another.)

The proper RG6 connector is a SNS1P6. It is blue.


Nope !

+1 for T&B SnS (Belden and Augat "TE Connectivity" just resells them).

Also, I suggest the SNS1P6U red connector. It is a newer universal connector in the lineup, and fits RG6QS as well as RG6. The blue strictly fits RG6, while the purple is made just for RG6QS. If you have a dual braid cable, the blue will not fit it.

I have that exact tool. I can't claim to have used it yet. I got it at a garage sale, and put it away.

I've been using a coax wire stripper like this:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01B1NVUYE/?tag=atomicindus08-20
Since they came out at Radio Shack in the '80's. My first one predates the notch in the inner blade. Anyway, these are inexpensive, and do just fine at stripping coax.

I still use my first generation Snap N Seal tool. I can't get to mine to take a picture (long covid19 story), but this is the best picture I can find online (mine has blue grips):

Edit: finally was able to take a picture of it.

 

[SGKent]

it has become an impossible task. Home Depot 1 carries the tool. Home Depot #2, 30 miles away carries the stripper, Home Depot doesn't carry approved F-connectors but they are available online in 2 weeks. 3 day delivery is available for an additional $250 from Amazon. The electrical connector is at Home Depot #4 another 20 miles away. The downspout adapter I need to fix what the roofing guys busted is at Home Depot #5, 15 miles way. Lowes doesn't have the items and carries completely different brands, none of which either Lowes or HD carry are approved by the industry as preferred connectors. Nor does ACE.

 

[rlitman]

Lowes?

 

[infinkc]

it has become an impossible task. Home Depot 1 carries the tool. Home Depot #2, 30 miles away carries the stripper, Home Depot doesn't carry approved F-connectors but they are available online in 2 weeks. 3 day delivery is available for an additional $250 from Amazon. The electrical connector is at Home Depot #4 another 20 miles away. The downspout adapter I need to fix what the roofing guys busted is at Home Depot #5, 15 miles way. Lowes doesn't have the items and carries completely different brands, none of which either Lowes or HD carry are approved by the industry as preferred connectors. Nor does ACE.

I’m in Elk Grove if you wanted to borrow my tool and I have ends.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

 

[Jking24]

i have whatever home depot sells. Works fine was cheap enough

 

[SGKent]

I’m in Elk Grove if you wanted to borrow my tool and I have ends.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

I really do appreciate that offer. We are up in Citrus Heights and go down to Acampo about once a month. I ordered just now some Belden connectors off Ebay, and one of the Home Depots is showing both tools but only 1 of each which typically means they are out. If I can't get it from them I will definitely keep the offer in mind.

 

[roc_on_the_rocks]

I haven't touched coaxial cables in decades, but I plan re-routing my coax cable in my house sometime soon. For my own education, could someone please post a picture of what a hex crimp looks like?

Thank you.

 

[rlitman]

I haven't touched coaxial cables in decades, but I plan re-routing my coax cable in my house sometime soon. For my own education, could someone please post a picture of what a hex crimp looks like?

Thank you.

 

[SGKent]

Ebay had the Belken compression fittings which are on order. The HD in Rocklin had 1 each of the two Klein tools. I am done with that part of it and just waiting on the fittings.

Thank you everyone. Now I shall find something to do with the old Hex crimper.

 

[roc_on_the_rocks]

Thanks a lot!

 

[23ford]

The old connectors you asked about just put in scrap metal they have no value because no one uses them just threw away a bunch

 

[pmiranda]

The old connectors you asked about just put in scrap metal they have no value because no one uses them just threw away a bunch

Haha, I still have old coax cables with simple round crush ring crimpings that are working fine. Not weather tight, but works great indoors.

 

[tab2]

The Comcast/xfinity techs will give you a spool with a few hundred feet on it if you ask nicely. They will give you connectors too.

I use the Klein compression tool and the strippers I have do RG6 & CAT6 with different inserts. If you're going to hardwire any data cable, that is something to consider.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008KOZYWC/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[SGKent]

used the two tools for the first time. Wow, will never work with an old style F- crimp connector again. How slick the new ones are. I used Belden connectors. One tool strips perfectly, peel outer wire shield back, insert onto f-connector, and the other tool compresses perfectly. Done. I did one test one to adjust the compression tool and other than that it was a 1 - 2 minute job. What a clean solution.

 

[SGKent]

ran a new PVC conduit today and replaced the RG59 that I installed years ago with RG6. Just have to do the last 20 feet or so on the house and test it. Then it is a simple phone call to Comcast to activate it when the time comes. If they ever pull fiber to the house a conduit is there already. Yay!!

 

[Holt]

Cable Prep for the coax stoppers
Sargent Compression Crimpers.

Look at the pawn shops. Cable contractor turn over is high and a lot sell their tools.

 

[nelstomlinson]

ALSO - I ran grey electrical conduit under the lawn and concrete to the house years ago to make it easy to pull a new coax cable. Does anyone make a fitting that goes on the end of the grey electrical pvc that the coax can exit thru?

Weatherhead?

 

[SGKent]

I have the Klein VDV211-048 Compression Tool and Klein Klein VDV110-061 2-Level Coaxial Cable Stripper. Both work extremely well and dead simple to use. Purchased them at Home Depot. I also use the Klein connectors.

I bought them when we canceled DirecTV and installed a roof mounted antenna. I ran Belden RG6 Quadshield.

I went with these above. Worked great. Used Belden 1532A which is underground approved and Belden EX6XLPLUS connectors. Dug the front, laid new conduit yesterday with the help of a neighbor, pulled it yesterday afternoon, and finished pulling the area behind the fence this morning. That conduit was put in maybe 15 - 20 years ago. Cable is complete and tested all the way to the audio / TV room. All done and I am so happy about it. When the contract with DSL / TV is up this fall I can move to cable and higher speeds. We get too many TV dropouts in the evening with Consolidated. My old crimp stuff will never be used again. These are so clean and easy to use compared to the crimp style. Painted the cable to match the house this afternoon and its done, Lord willing.

 

[WunTon]

I recently had a similar project and picked up this set at HD. It worked great for me and maybe some day I may actually get to use it again! https://www.homedepot.com/p/306587343