RIght angle SMA plug end cap compression tool - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: rongard
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: September 11, 2017, 06:43:46 pm
content: HelloCould somebody suggest or reference me to a tool which is meant for pressing in the end cap for right angle SMA plug. I'v searched the net pretty thoroughly, but it would seem that such a tool does not exist, but I'm pretty sure that not everybody installs the end cap like I do at the moment - with hammer and a large hex drive.

author: bjcuizon
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 11, 2017, 06:52:17 pm
content: "End cap"....you mean like this?https://www.google.co.nz/search?q=sma+end+cap&client=tablet-android-samsung&prmd=imvn&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiPgYjW5Z3WAhWBXLwKHU-VC4wQ_AUIESgB&biw=600&bih=1024

author: nali
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 11, 2017, 07:13:09 pm
content: I think he means the small press-in disc like the one at the bottom of the photo below. I don't know what they're called either, but wouldn't mind finding a tool to do the same - if they're not too expensive.

author: bjcuizon
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 11, 2017, 07:17:24 pm
content: Ohh, ok. So he means the "sleeve" of the connector. I think you would use a crimper for that.

author: nali
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 11, 2017, 07:21:37 pm
content: Can't speak for the OP, but I was talking about the small disc bottom middle of photo, not the cylindrical sleeve. You know, the one that goes pinggg! somewhere the other side of the room when you try to press it in with the wrong tool....

author: bjcuizon
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 11, 2017, 08:04:59 pm
content: Oops sorry.That might be really the end cap meant by the OP. Looks like it needs a really special tool.

author: rongard
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: September 12, 2017, 05:31:07 am
content: Yes, I meant the small disk that goes at the end of the connector.

author: DTJ
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 12, 2017, 05:55:28 am
content: I don't know what the correct tool is but maybe look at a cheap arbor press.https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/81DaaaifQBL._SL1500_.jpgOver time you end up making tools for cutting wire & heat shrink to length, assembling IDC ribbon connectors, crimping lugs etc etc.A small one is around $80 new.

author: edpalmer42
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 12, 2017, 06:31:04 am
content: I've only done a few of those, but the tool for me is a small vise. I wouldn't use a hammer.Ed

author: BradC
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 12, 2017, 08:25:57 am
content: Quote from: edpalmer42 on September 12, 2017, 06:31:04 amI use both. Connector body in the vice and a quick pop with a calibrated hammer and punch to seat the disc.

author: rongard
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: September 12, 2017, 10:05:20 am
content: Vise probably suits better alltough I haven't used it, but if there really isn't a special tool for this then probably will have to. The problem with hammering is that the plug seems to get little bit of damage as the threaded cup on some of the plugs has come of when tightening the connectors little bit with a small wrench (i'm not being a hulk on those connectors, just a little force).With vise I think there might be a similar problem as the force is still applied on the threaded cup aswell when pressing in the cap. I was wondering if there is a tool that would avoid prssure on the threaded cup e.g with some "fork" where you would mount the connector and then press in the cap. I know there is a tool like that for MMCX r/a:https://www.alliedelec.com/johnson-cinch-connectivity-solutions-141-0000-910/70090573/

author: BradC
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 12, 2017, 11:44:01 am
content: Quote from: rongard on September 12, 2017, 10:05:20 amThat's why I use the hammer and punch. Put the body of the connector in the vice and pop the cap in with the punch. It takes very little force and with the right sized punch it's a hole in one.

author: rongard
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: September 12, 2017, 12:48:52 pm
content: Okay, I see. Pretty clever. Still, it seems pretty time consuming. I bet a specially designed tool would do the job 2-3 times faster.

author: BradC
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 12, 2017, 01:06:20 pm
content: Quote from: rongard on September 12, 2017, 12:48:52 pmI have no doubt. My experience with stuff like that though is the tool is probably worth more than I've ever spent on SMA & BNC connectors combined (and I've done a few).

author: edpalmer42
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 12, 2017, 03:51:36 pm
content: The reason I like the vise is that it applies the least amount of force required to push the cap into place. The hammer applies a shock load that's probably many times higher than required. This shock load seems much more likely to damage the connector.Ed

author: bjcuizon
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 12, 2017, 08:03:09 pm
content: Quote from: BradC on September 12, 2017, 01:06:20 pmI will only buy the tool if its like cheap and of course not that high quality because it is only used like once in a blue moon. Its not like side cutters or wire strippers that get used everyday.

author: Omikron
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: October 04, 2018, 04:05:25 pm
content: Necrothread, I know, but since Google queries link to this thread, I figured I'd help folks out:https://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/cinch-connectivity-solutions-johnson/141-0000-910/J10221-ND/4462148

author: DTJ
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 05, 2018, 02:01:31 am
content: Neat little tool Omikron.