Making Patch Cables

RCA patch cables? Cat 5 patch cables? What kind of cables?

 

Looks like he is talking about Cat 5. You solder when making RCA patch cables, IIRC.

 

I simply print a cheat sheet and keep it with me when I patch. I had to crimp a cable in my attic a few months ago... that was challenging (very little light up there, very hot, fiberglass everywhere... not fun).

 

At first it was a little difficult for me but I got the hang of it after a little while...

cut at least an inch of the outside shield out so you can have room to align the wires (maybe almost 2 inches even to make it easier)...line up the colors the way it will be in the plastic head. flatten it with your index finger and thumb to make it in 1 line and try to stack the wires as close together as possible...hold your index and thumb with the wires aligned about a centimeter or two from the tip...the closer you stack together the wires, the easier it is...slowly insert in the plastic head and you'll get the hang of it in no time...it's a lot easier for me to show then to describe...hope that helps..

 

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Honestly, it's one of those things where it will take a bit of time to get better. I can fly through them now, with perfect crimps every time, but it took me a few dozen times before I really got the hang of it. One thing I like to do is take each wire in my index finger and thumb, and straighten it by just running it through my fingers a few times, so it stays flat when I'm putting it into the RJ-45.

 

buy those rj-45's that have holes at the end where you can push the wires through and cut off extra length once crimped

 

Honestly practice makes perfect..or do what we do at my office..make part timers do it!