Thread: tools

**iatech** · March 20th, 2005, 02:30 PM

I am looking to purchase my first set of networking tools. Mainly what I am looking for is a cable tester crimper and punchdown. Since I have not purchased these before I don't really know what is good and what to avoid. I know with this kinda of stuff it is best not to buy the cheap stuff, but at the same time I don't want top of the line either. Can anyone recomend some sites to look at with reveiws or a good place to find what I need at a decent price.
i was looking on new egg and found acouple things that may work
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...888-404&depa=0
and if I got this does anyone know if I would need to buy this as well to get the tone generator to work
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...888-403&depa=0
and this seems a bit cheap for a crimper
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...888-401&depa=0
but the reveiws seem ok as well.
Again any idea's would be appreciated

**bbtech6650** · March 20th, 2005, 03:30 PM

If you want to complete your set, you should prolly look to purchase the cable tester with tone generator, the crimper, and the tone pick. It may be ok to let the tone pick go for now, it is mostly used to locate cables either from stations to 110's and from 110's to other 110's.

Also be aware that crimpers wear out over time, so you may need to replace it sooner if it will be used alot.

bb

**iatech** · March 20th, 2005, 10:05 PM

so are the ones I linked alright to get or are there some others I should look into?

**Jeff316** · March 21st, 2005, 12:20 PM

I worked all through college as an electrician and one thing I've never regretted was buying a good set of tools (http://www.klein-tools.com/ ) - especially screwdrivers and side cutting pliers.

If you're buying this stuff and planning on using it a lot I would recommend buying "professional grade" and not something from home depot or the bargin bin. Also you didn't mention diagonal cutting pliers put get yourself a decent pair of "dikes" too.

**deseqer** · March 21st, 2005, 06:52 PM

I have been using one of these ever since I started at My current place of work. which has been a long 5 years.
Crimpers

another tool that has saved me alot of time and labor is one of these
Stripper

The only thing you need to verify is after you remove the outer shell take sure the knives did not score the twisted pairs at all. every so often you will get a cable that will not like those striper.