Reddit reviews Platinum Tools EZ-RJ45 Crimp Tool for RJ-11, RJ-12 and RJ-45

Get the EZ crimper

Get the EZ connectors

Get this crimper and the RJ45 connectors that go with it. You feed the wires through the connector and the crimper trims off the excess. Fuck doing it the old way.

I bought a ton of them at a local store, so i can't vouch for the online stores i'm linking to, but here ya go!

They are called "EZ-RJ45"

Connector/Cable End

Crimper

Hope that helps!

Cheers!

EDIT:Amazon.com Link
Crimper (Connectors in suggested items)

Holy shit I cannot upvote you enough. I have a pair of these and I can't tell you how much time and hassle the EZ-RJ45 ends and crimpers have saved me. My cables come out perfect every single time.

Also , to answer the OP's question , I am never without my Paladin cable tester and my BlackBox toner unit. Both were pretty cheap if I remember correctly.

http://www.amazon.com/Platinum-Tools-EZ-RJ45-Crimp-RJ-11/dp/B00084Y1ZI

https://mcb.berkeley.edu/labs/krantz/pdf/guide_to_crimping_cat5_cat6_connectors.pdf

On the one hand the connector itself is a pain in the dick, but on the other hand it is nice to have a modular connector that you can actually repair on the fly.

I would recommend Platinum tools for all networking gear. They really think this stuff through. The only other company that spends as much engineering hours re-inventing existing products to make the installers job easier is Siemon, but they charge you a lot for it.

These connectors + Strain Reliefs

With this crimper

With this separate stripper

That set will put your RJ-45 termination time to under 2 minutes with just a bit of practice, and under 1 minute after some experience. Even pros that have decades of experience wont be able to touch you with standard connectors.

Why separate stripper? If you terminate a lot, try the thing. All-in-one tools are garbage, you can't make 5 completely different tools work well in one tool, you have to sacrifice. When the separate tools cost a couple bucks, why make any sacrifices? I wish they made one of these for Cat6a, as I have yet to find a decent stripper for it.

Driver set

I would recommend this set, but maybe get it for yourself later as a gift. These cover the most used drivers, and they will outlast you. Stick to cheapos for rare ones unless you want to treat yourself. Wiha is the snap-on of electronics screwdrivers. Except without the payment plan.

Get yourself a cheapo kit for testing cable. All the cheap ones work just fine, as long as it tests the pairs you're generally set. You can even get one to test multiple runs at the same time, just takes a few short patch cables and oddly wired keystones, you can make those from spare parts. If you want something more substantial without spending money, get yourself a pockethernet.

I would stay away from Klein, they just invest quality of materials into age old designs. Yeah they'll last, but they really didn't think about it.

You don't need a patch panel.

All you need is cable and a switch.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004ELA0SS/

http://www.amazon.com/Cable-Matters-In-Wall-Rated-Ethernet/dp/B0049KV52E/

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000FI9VTS/

http://www.amazon.com/Platinum-Tools-EZ-RJ45-Crimp-RJ-11/dp/B00084Y1ZI

If you're going to run wire more than once, look at the EZ Crimper.

Looks great, no idea how good it really is.

http://smile.amazon.com/Platinum-Tools-EZ-RJ45-Crimp-RJ-11/dp/B00084Y1ZI?sa-no-redirect=1

So much these!

50 piece

The tool, but you can get away with a normal crimper if the wires can poke through the other side, and cut off excess with diagonal cutters.