Cheap BNC crimper that doesn't suck? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: MrSlack
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 17, 2016, 11:05:09 am
content: Does anyone have any suggestions for a cheap BNC crimp tool for solderless BNCs that doesn't suck. My nice one just fell to pieces after about 30 years and all the relatively cheap ones I see are poorly ratedI do perhaps 10 crimps a year out of it so nothing fancy, just something mostly reliable.

author: rs20
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 17, 2016, 11:30:21 am
content: Here's a previous thread I started:https://www.eevblog.com/forum/buysellwanted/bnc-cables-buy-ready-made-or-self-assemble/Slightly different question, but I hope there's something of value for you there.

author: MrSlack
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 17, 2016, 11:36:39 am
content: Thanks - appreciated!

author: MrSlack
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 17, 2016, 01:55:17 pm
content: Well I found something out ... yes you can acceptably bodge a BNC patch together with a craft knife (stripper), some needle nose pliers (pin crimp) and some mole grips (ferrule crimp). Works perfectly, can handle the tug test. Don't expect it to last for more than a few weeks though.Researching better tools now...

author: Muttley Snickers
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 17, 2016, 03:20:38 pm
content: For many years in the early days all I ever used was a six inch set of Sidchrome sidecutters and occasionally a pocket knife to do a final slice on the dielectric, as mentioned in another thread the cables and connectors selected need to mate properly and ideally be of good quality, get any of these out of whack and even the best tools wont do you any favours.I've mentioned them before on the forum and I'm probably lucky not to get banned for plastering their name around but they do seem to have a good selection to choose from and that is Rhino Tools in Sydney, for those overseas it can be a good guide to various products and for locals they do have some very good monthly specials, I have no affiliation with them whatsoever.Rhino Tools.https://rhinotools.com.au

author: AF6LJ
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 17, 2016, 03:41:38 pm
content: I must be a member of a dying breed.I solder all my BNC connectors, because I am too cheap to buy a good crimper.

author: MrSlack
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 17, 2016, 04:02:46 pm
content: These are shitty BNCs - really cheap ones. I bought 100 of them for about £10 off ebay a few years ago. They do the job though. I did consider solderable ones but I'm using these up firstThe crime...

author: nali
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 17, 2016, 04:19:05 pm
content: You could instead maybe go for the old-fashioned type that use spanners rather than a crimp?

author: MrSlack
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 17, 2016, 04:22:55 pm
content: Not a bad idea. I have 42 crimp ones to use up first, so in about 10 years or so

author: SeanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 17, 2016, 06:39:01 pm
content: I used to install BNC connectors a lot when networking was coax, and you really had to get them right first time, or have the pain of finding the failed one. I tend though these days to use F connectors and F to BNC adaptors, as they are really cheap and so useful in doing CCTV repairs or installations. You get some sleeves that cover the whole F barrel and nut so they look like a crimp, but they are a screw in connection. Not as resistant to pull out, but easy to fix though when you do do it.

author: blacksheeplogic
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 17, 2016, 08:09:23 pm
content: Quote from: MrSlack on May 17, 2016, 11:05:09 amI have several but the one I carry and use is the Jonard CT-200. I't not expensive, small & compact. It's an unseal design which is a folded design and lays flat in a bag which I like. For the price it's well made.

author: GreyWoolfe
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 17, 2016, 10:08:51 pm
content: Quote from: nali on May 17, 2016, 04:19:05 pmI buy these and they work well and are easy to put on the cable.

author: AF6LJ
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 17, 2016, 10:38:22 pm
content: Quote from: SeanB on May 17, 2016, 06:39:01 pmThe compression type F-Connectors are the Bomb I love those things.

author: Monkeh
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 17, 2016, 11:16:10 pm
content: Quote from: AF6LJ on May 17, 2016, 10:38:22 pmYou can get compression BNCs, those cost a bomb.