Best place to get RG6 and connectors

[kevine]

I know I need to do some upgrades on my cables to avoid some minor signal loss issues I am having. I need to switch to quad shield RG6 with a solid copper core and compression fittings. Where do you suggest?

[carlgar]

Is this what you are looking for http://www.deepsurplus.com/Network-S...-Nickel-Plated

I have never ordered from them, but thought I might if I ever needed to build my own cables.

[stanger89]

I'd just got to Home Depot or the like and get a spool of Quad Sheild RG6 and a bottle of the Ideal compression fittings. The connectors end up being $0.50-0.60 a piece that way. And the best part is it's easy to go get more if you need them. I guess HD sells them under the "Paladin" name, Lowes must sell them under the Ideal name. When I got mine, HD had a great little kit with the cutter, stripper, and compression tool and 10 connectors for like $30 IIRC. While not expensive, it seems to be quality hardware and it's served me well.

Originally I went with Canare stuff for making my cables, and they make really nice stuff to be sure (their crimper is awesome). But it's a royal PITA to have to order parts when you need like an extra RF connector. Way easier to just drive to the store and grab a few.

[eopian]

Originally Posted by stanger89

I'd just got to Home Depot or the like and get a spool of Quad Sheild RG6 and a bottle of the Ideal compression fittings. The connectors end up being $0.50-0.60 a piece that way. And the best part is it's easy to go get more if you need them. I guess HD sells them under the "Paladin" name, Lowes must sell them under the Ideal name. When I got mine, HD had a great little kit with the cutter, stripper, and compression tool and 10 connectors for like $30 IIRC. While not expensive, it seems to be quality hardware and it's served me well.

Originally I went with Canare stuff for making my cables, and they make really nice stuff to be sure (their crimper is awesome). But it's a royal PITA to have to order parts when you need like an extra RF connector. Way easier to just drive to the store and grab a few.

Agreed.
The only problem I ran into with the kit is that it comes with RG6 connectors and not RG6 QUAD connectors. The only give you 10 connectors in the kit anyways, and the rest of the kit works just fine with RG6 QUAD.

[ToxMox]

I usually get these from here:
http://www.techtoolsupply.com/index....WPROD&ProdID=9

[Menehune]

I usually get 50 piece "job packs" of Snap-n-Seal connectors from MCM electronics. Crimper is pricey at $70, but I haven't had a connector slip off a cable like my old hex crimper.
http://mcmelectronics.com/product/33-4150

Plus the local CableCo uses them, so they must be good enough

[ToxMox]

Oh and this is the crimper I use:
http://www.techtoolsupply.com/index....ROD&ProdID=604
and this is the whole kit I bought.
http://www.techtoolsupply.com/index....ROD&ProdID=384
I wired my whole house with these and continue making cables for friends etc. Love it!
Oh and I would get a flaring and insertion tool like this...you will hate life without it:
http://www.techtoolsupply.com/index....OD&ProdID=1314

This thing looks kind of cool too...I didn't notice that back when I bought all my stuff:
http://www.techtoolsupply.com/index....ROD&ProdID=768

[kevine]

Originally Posted by ToxMox

Oh and this is the crimper I use:
http://www.techtoolsupply.com/index....ROD&ProdID=604
and this is the whole kit I bought.
http://www.techtoolsupply.com/index....ROD&ProdID=384
I wired my whole house with these and continue making cables for friends etc. Love it!
Oh and I would get a flaring and insertion tool like this...you will hate life without it:
http://www.techtoolsupply.com/index....OD&ProdID=1314

This thing looks kind of cool too...I didn't notice that back when I bought all my stuff:
http://www.techtoolsupply.com/index....ROD&ProdID=768

Thanks everyone. I bought the kit above for $68+shipping and I will be getting my QS cable from Lowes. I hope this fixes my signal problem.

[toricred]

I know this is a stupid question, but how do you use the flaring tool?

[Flash69]

Originally Posted by toricred

I know this is a stupid question, but how do you use the flaring tool?

Don't think that is a stupid question. I have been building my own cables for a while and never used a flaring tool.

[ToxMox]

I don't use the flaring aspect of the tool. Never quite works for me. I think it is supposed to peel back the shielding easily.
I find I can't live without the insertion tool aspect of the flaring/insertion tool.

[Flash69]

I just always twist and push the end on to the wire. Maybe I am doing it wrong but I have never had a problem with signal or quality on my coax connections.

[ToxMox]

I guess the particular quad shield cable I use is on the thick side and requires quite a bit of pressure/force to get the end on and it hurts my hands after trying to put more than 2 ends on. Much easier with the insertion tool.

[Flash69]

Originally Posted by ToxMox

I guess the particular quad shield cable I use is on the thick side and requires quite a bit of pressure/force to get the end on and it hurts my hands after trying to put more than 2 ends on. Much easier with the insertion tool.

Good to know. I might have to pick one up.

[toricred]

That makes sense. I've had a great deal of difficulty with getting the end all the way on myself. Thanks for taking it easy on an idiot at making cables.

[Menehune]

I have a connector insertion tool at work but I never use it.

I just cut the outer shield back about 1/8" and fold the braid back. Makes a nice clear path for the center part of the connector to ride on the dielectric without catching any shield. Leave the foil down. The inner "pipe" of the connector has a larger diameter than the foil so it will catch on the connector.

[kevine]

I believe the flaring tool is to push the foil and outer metal threads down to expose the white core. It then continues on to stretch the outer jacket out. If you look at the end of the connector where the cable gets inserted, there is an inner metal tube in there too (See Menehune's comment of "pipe" above). That is supposed to go over the white core and under the outer jacket.

Also, an important thing to keep in mind is making sure the thin metal band and foil are push back properly as not to touch the copper core. If they do, you get signal loss. I have confirmed this by seeing it, fixing it and immediately have increased signal streghth. HDHR software tool being the signal test indication.