Crimper for RJ12 and RJ45 plugs

[cec209]

I'm looking for recommendations for a good quality crimper for RJ12 and RJ45 plugs. My current crimper doesn't seem to get all of the wires crimped into the plugs especially on RJ45s.
Thanks,
Charlie

[GM50 4164]

The one I have used works well from what I can recall. I'll try to remember to take a photo and post here which one it is once I'm back home on Sunday.

[$2 Bill]

The one you have maybe is adjustable somewhere.
But If the jaws that hold the ends are plastic then likely ends is flexing and fail to crimp completely more so on middle pins.
So may need a better crimper.

Also the Ends could have problems...
Off Brand ends often are made poorly.
Known brands may fit solid, stranded, or both wires. Then Round or Flat Cable. So check the label.

The Pins to punch the wires for solid etc are made different and may seem to work but fail soon with wrong wire.
Or Wrong Ends for X wire puts more load on the jaws causing flexing and related problems.

Try Klien or Ideal Tools and Ends. Think about like prosumer or light pro use. Those are easy to get and won't bankrupt you. (Old AMP and other Pro/industrial tools cost $200 or more.) ⚠️ You can find used AMP RJxx tools/kits on Eflay etc but most RJ45 need AMP RJ45 ends to work. They had 3 crimp points with 2 crimping plastic sections to stress protect the actual wires. All other use only 1 plastic section to hold outside of cable. Only place to get the ends is like Graybar and not easy available to the general public in many places. Now I'm not sure still made those ends as AMP was bought out several years ago.

I worked in Telecom & Network and see people with your issues....

[Chris333]

We have those crimpers at work, but I'd guess they are $300+.  I know the plugs with a pass through hole are a million time easier to get to work. When you crimp you also slice the wire ends sticking out.

[Chris333]

At work the tool says EZ-RJ PRO-HD  2622

[C855B]

At work the tool says EZ-RJ PRO-HD  2622

Found several sources online - $100.

[Chris333]

No idea if it is the best. Just what we have. I know our simple ferrule crimpers are expensive Greenlee K30GL.

[C855B]

No idea if it is the best. Just what we have. I know our simple ferrule crimpers are expensive Greenlee K30GL.

Nothing from Greenlee comes cheap. >$400 for those crimpers.

[Chris333]

They are the only thing the company bought and I have to give back if I quit.

[nickelplate759]

Before you go nuts buying pro-quality tools,  consider how much you expect to use the tool.

I bought a moderately-priced crimping tool (Klein VDV226-011) when I need to add RJ45 plugs in my house (to connect in-wall ethernet to switches).  About $35.00

https://www.amazon.com/Ratcheting-Stripper-Klein-Tools-VDV226-011-SEN/dp/B002D3B97U

Also - you really, REALLY want a tester.

I got this tester, it's about $40.00, and well worth it.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0000AZK08?th=1

[ edited to fix hyperlinks ]

[Chris333]

We have a similar tester. If the lights do not blink in a row you screwed something up.

Like I said the plugs where the wires pass through and get chopped off give me a much higher success rate than the stubby plugs.

[$2 Bill]

There are many types of RJxx testers... Most should be ok.

The AMP tool later Tyco Electric then COMMSCOPE is no longer made but like said can find on Eflay etc.
Web search amp 231651 and read PDF at digikey etc.

The tool needs die sets for whatever ends. The Kits had the tool and most dies.
Dies are ID by a Dot.
Most Tool/Kits had RJ45 w/ Black Dot and won't work w/ "Standard" Ends.
There was a RJ45 w/ White Dot and another w/ Red Dot.
White and/or Red Dots might work w/ "Standard" "Generic" RJ45 ends. I've never seen a Red Dot Die. Have a White Dot Die but haven't tried using it w/ generic ends but seems to have same 2 point crimp points. (Buried in the shed right now.)
Finding White or Red Dot Dies is Very Rare as those came out later near "end of life" of the product. You might be able to mod a Black Dot but never tried that.

Again, try Klien or Ideal available anywhere. Those start at ~ $30-$50 depend on vendor and model. Jonard Tools is also good. (I had other Jonard tools.)

RJ45 "Passthru" ends? Do you mean the wire go thru ends then cut? Might help some users but I never bothered with those. When you made a lot of ends, cut then stuff is no effort. Make very sure you cleanly cut the wire with passtru ends. Cut "wrong" and may short them now or at random future.

[Chris333]

[$2 Bill]

I had a Net Cable with broken end today so I dug up my AMP tools... (I'd normally just replace a "jumper" but hard to reach the other end.)

RJ45 w/ White Dot does work with Generic Ends. The Black Dot won't as is or likely mod'ed by just to grind off the center crimp zone. The Main stress crimp on Black Dot is shorter and bit different location then that section of the White Dot Die.

The Ideal Ends I have are 85-346 doesn't have the "passthru" but some no-name ones did so tried them. (Bought them @ yard sale months ago as extra spare for $1 and didn't look beyond took round stranded wire.) The Feature does help but trimming after leave some wire tips exposed on this version.

Side Note: Don't wire a cable as shown in that pic. Telecom and Network will hate you even if a cable tester might pass that. Look up T568A and T568B. A vs B is different Pair Counting and doesn't matter as long as both ends are same in many setups.

[$2 Bill]

Update:
   ⚠️
The "Passthru" ends are Not Standard as used "Normally" and Won't Work in Plugs that made to the Strict Standard.

The problem is the Cut Wires are Not Completely Flush with most cutters including many Flush Cutters.

How to you know?

Look at the "tip"/"Face" of the end where there is a Square "Peg" section of plastic where the Clip is.
Some Plugs only allow this "peg" and nothing else on that Face to allow the clip to hold.

I found this problem today when use a Passthru on my Dell Laptop. I had to shear the wires Completely Flush with the Face using Chisel Blade on X-acto fat handle. Only then will that type end had clearance for the clip to hold.

Chisel Blades are "easier" because 1 side Bevel. Even Then I put pressure on 1 wire at a time using the "Peg" as the cutting part. Other Blades for "X-acto" etc have 2 side bevel and hard to cut to make the end "Make Spec." Most Flush Cutters including "Famous" Plato can't easily cut middle pairs (Blue & Green pair for T568B)

If some use "Bell" 66 or 110 IDC panels, I use the Chisel again the plastic Peg the same way as "pushing down" tool for 66/110 with a Cutting Tip.