In comp.dcom.cabling DLR <news23@raleighthings.com> wrote in part:
> I made a patch cord once. Then decided I had the cash to
> buy them. With hooded and/or snag proof ends no less. At
> a price that valued my labor at $1 or $2 an hour.

Agreed. Even when you have the knowledge and the tools, crimping
plugs is hard. Crimping on solid is fairly easy [dressing
conductors] but prone to failure from flexing [work hardening].

Crimping on stranded (proper) is very difficult because the
conductors won't stay dressed and shift when inserted into the plug.
I believe production machinery uses a duck-bill clamp to hold the
conductors aligned. I've never seen pliers for this.


-- Robert