Robert Redelmeier <redelm@ev1.net.invalid> wrote:
> 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].

Crimp plugs generally arn't intended for solid core. Even when it works
the contact area is likely to be rather less than it should be.

> Crimping on stranded (proper) is very difficult because the
> conductors won't stay dressed and shift when inserted into the plug.

It helps to untwist and straighten the wires before putting them in the
right order and trimming to length.

> I believe production machinery uses a duck-bill clamp to hold the
> conductors aligned. I've never seen pliers for this.

How would you use pliers? In order for the outer jacket to be held the
optimal wire length tends to be around 15mm.


> -- Robert


--
Mark Evans
St. Peter's CofE Aided School
Phone: +44 1392 204764 X241
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