Alternatives to Snap-n-Seal tool for coaxial cable connectors?

I'd like to get a good compression tool to put F connectors on the ends of
RG6 Quad Shield coaxial cable. From reading opinions on the Net, it seems
that the Snap-n-Seal IT1000 tool is the best, but it's also pretty expensive
($60+) for someone who is only going to use it occassionally. Anyone know of
cheaper alternatives to this tool that can be used with the Snap-n-Seal
connectors?

For instance, there is a DataShark compression tool at Home Depot for $15,
and I've read that Paladin makes other tools that are compatible with the
Snap-n-Seal connectors. But do these tools work well with the SNS
connectors, or is it a strectch to say they work with SNS connectors?

Also, if I buy one of these alternative compression tools, I'll need a good
cable stripper. Anyone know of a good one that works with RG6 Quad at a
reasonable price?

Thanks in advance for your help!

DK wrote:
I'd like to get a good compression tool to put F connectors on the ends of
RG6 Quad Shield coaxial cable. From reading opinions on the Net, it seems
that the Snap-n-Seal IT1000 tool is the best, but it's also pretty expensive
($60+) for someone who is only going to use it occassionally. Anyone know of
cheaper alternatives to this tool that can be used with the Snap-n-Seal
connectors?

For instance, there is a DataShark compression tool at Home Depot for $15,
and I've read that Paladin makes other tools that are compatible with the
Snap-n-Seal connectors. But do these tools work well with the SNS
connectors, or is it a strectch to say they work with SNS connectors?

Also, if I buy one of these alternative compression tools, I'll need a good
cable stripper. Anyone know of a good one that works with RG6 Quad at a
reasonable price?

Thanks in advance for your help!



I don't know of any good alternatives for installing that sort of
connector but there are other types. I routinely use standard
compression connectors along with sealing heat-shrink tubing and can
honestly say that I've never had a connection failure.

--
John McGaw
[Knoxville, TN, USA]
http://johnmcgaw.com

On Feb 12, 8:54*am, "DK" wrote:
I'd like to get a good compression tool to put F connectors on the ends of
RG6 Quad Shield coaxial cable. From reading opinions on the Net, it seems
that the Snap-n-Seal IT1000 tool is the best, but it's also pretty expensive
($60+) for someone who is only going to use it occassionally. Anyone know of
cheaper alternatives to this tool that can be used with the Snap-n-Seal
connectors?

For instance, there is a DataShark compression tool at Home Depot for $15,
and I've read that Paladin makes other tools that are compatible with the
Snap-n-Seal connectors. But do these tools work well with the SNS
connectors, or is it a strectch to say they work with SNS connectors?

Also, if I buy one of these alternative compression tools, I'll need a good
cable stripper. Anyone know of a good one that works with RG6 Quad at a
reasonable price?

Thanks in advance for your help!

There is a cheaper version of the $60 tool, and no, nothing in my
experience beats snap n seal for ease and durablity and
waterproofing. And you can make them even more waterproof by
squirting a little silicone on the outside jacket as you slide the
snap ring up into the barrel. The last thing you want is water in an
F connector to ground out the signal.

I think I paid about $30 for my cheaper version of the pliers, but I
cant remember where I got it its been so long ago. Did you try
monoprice.com? I know they carry snap n seal parts, maybe they have
the tool too.

If you only have one or two cables you might be able to squeeze the
SNS connector on with pliers but you wont get that positive reassuring
"click" when it seats the gasket and you'll have to go around the
circle.

As for a stripper get the kind with the finger loop and dual blades
that cut outer and inner jackets just right, these are widely
available. Peel back the foil layer exposing the white inner core and
bend the foil evenly over the jacket. Put on the snap ring, then push
on the ferrule, then click it, you're done.

Also use quad shield RG6, you'll be glad you did later.

On Tue, 12 Feb 2008 08:54:06 -0600, DK wrote:

I'd like to get a good compression tool to put F connectors on the ends
of RG6 Quad Shield coaxial cable. From reading opinions on the Net, it
seems that the Snap-n-Seal IT1000 tool is the best, but it's also pretty
expensive ($60+) for someone who is only going to use it occassionally.
Anyone know of cheaper alternatives to this tool that can be used with
the Snap-n-Seal connectors?

For instance, there is a DataShark compression tool at Home Depot for
$15, and I've read that Paladin makes other tools that are compatible
with the Snap-n-Seal connectors. But do these tools work well with the
SNS connectors, or is it a strectch to say they work with SNS
connectors?

Also, if I buy one of these alternative compression tools, I'll need a
good cable stripper. Anyone know of a good one that works with RG6 Quad
at a reasonable price?

I uses a pocket knife and needle nose with cutter to prepare the end. I
then use small channel locks to crimp it on both sides 180 degrees out.
Haven't had a failure yet. Crimping takes about 30 seconds or less. It'd
take me longer than that to find my crimper.:-)





--
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On Feb 12, 10:13*am, Wes Newell wrote:
On Tue, 12 Feb 2008 08:54:06 -0600, DK wrote:
I'd like to get a good compression tool to put F connectors on
the ends
of RG6 Quad Shield coaxial cable. From reading opinions on the
Net, it
seems that the Snap-n-Seal IT1000 tool is the best, but it's also
pretty
expensive ($60+) for someone who is only going to use it
occassionally.
Anyone know of cheaper alternatives to this tool that can be used
with
the Snap-n-Seal connectors?

For instance, there is a DataShark compression tool at Home Depot
for
$15, and I've read that Paladin makes other tools that are
compatible
with the Snap-n-Seal connectors. But do these tools work well
with the
SNS connectors, or is it a strectch to say they work with SNS
connectors?

Also, if I buy one of these alternative compression tools, I'll
need a
good cable stripper. Anyone know of a good one that works with
RG6 Quad
at a reasonable price?

I use a pocket knife and needle nose with cutter to prepare the
end. I
then use small channel locks to crimp it on both sides 180 degrees
out.
Haven't had a failure yet. Crimping takes about 30 seconds or less.
It'd
take me longer than that to find my crimper.:-)


I don't go a primitive as Wes as I know where the crimper is. I don't
use snap n seal connectors but I do install the weather boots even on
the cables to the splitter under the eaves with drip loops to route
water away from the connectors. In addition, I use silicone grease on
the actual connectors and can tell you with certainty (because I
replaced mother in laws antenna in September) that the connector
looked _new_ 15 years later. The crimper was around $10 at the local
electronics store and works fine with RG-6. My choice is Belden 1694A.

GG

I uses a pocket knife and needle nose with cutter to prepare the end. I
then use small channel locks to crimp it on both sides 180 degrees out.
Haven't had a failure yet. Crimping takes about 30 seconds or less. It'd
take me longer than that to find my crimper.:-)

Wow, you do that using a Snap-n-Seal or similar compression connector? So
the tool doesn't have to be anything special to get the compression
connectors closed ... you just need to apply even pressure all around the
connector?

Thanks for the tips, everyone!

-- DK

On Tue, 12 Feb 2008 15:42:22 -0600, "DK" wrote:


I uses a pocket knife and needle nose with cutter to prepare the end. I
then use small channel locks to crimp it on both sides 180 degrees out.
Haven't had a failure yet. Crimping takes about 30 seconds or less. It'd
take me longer than that to find my crimper.:-)

Wow, you do that using a Snap-n-Seal or similar compression connector? So
the tool doesn't have to be anything special to get the compression
connectors closed ... you just need to apply even pressure all around the
connector?

Thanks for the tips, everyone!

-- DK


No, actually you have to be very careful when using a crimping tool
other than the compression type, or you can damage the connection and
cause problems. I use a "conventional" crimp tool and am careful not
to crimp too much for fear of causing internal damages to the
insulation, but in doing so, I sometimes create a connection that
isn't tight enough to hold if a little stress (Pulling on the
connected cable, for example) occurs. I've had the internal connector
actually pull out of the female part.... enough to cause a complete
loss of signal. I'm seriously considering throwing that tool away and
going with a good compression type tool.

--
Charlie Hoffpauir
http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~charlieh/

On Tue, 12 Feb 2008 15:42:22 -0600, DK wrote:

I uses a pocket knife and needle nose with cutter to prepare the end. I
then use small channel locks to crimp it on both sides 180 degrees out.
Haven't had a failure yet. Crimping takes about 30 seconds or less.
It'd take me longer than that to find my crimper.:-)

Wow, you do that using a Snap-n-Seal or similar compression connector?

No. I don't use Snap-n-seal. I use real crimp connectors. Haven't tried
snap-n-seal, and if they're anything like the other non crimp connectors,
I never will.

So the tool doesn't have to be anything special to get the compression
connectors closed ... you just need to apply even pressure all around
the connector?

Just took a look at the snap-n-seal connectors. Leave it to some engineer
to take something so simple and inexpensive to do as put an F connector
on and crimp it, to make it so expensive, difficult, and require a
special tool to do it.

--
Want the ultimate in free OTA SD/HDTV Recorder? http://mythtv.org
My Tivo Experience http://wesnewell.no-ip.com/tivo.htm
Tivo HD/S3 compared http://wesnewell.no-ip.com/mythtivo.htm
AMD cpu help http://wesnewell.no-ip.com/cpu.php

Wes Newell wrote:
On Tue, 12 Feb 2008 15:42:22 -0600, DK wrote:

I uses a pocket knife and needle nose with cutter to prepare the end. I
then use small channel locks to crimp it on both sides 180 degrees out.
Haven't had a failure yet. Crimping takes about 30 seconds or less.
It'd take me longer than that to find my crimper.:-)
Wow, you do that using a Snap-n-Seal or similar compression connector?

No. I don't use Snap-n-seal. I use real crimp connectors. Haven't tried
snap-n-seal, and if they're anything like the other non crimp connectors,
I never will.

So the tool doesn't have to be anything special to get the compression
connectors closed ... you just need to apply even pressure all around
the connector?

Just took a look at the snap-n-seal connectors. Leave it to some engineer
to take something so simple and inexpensive to do as put an F connector
on and crimp it, to make it so expensive, difficult, and require a
special tool to do it.



You think that's bad? Just wait til they come out with the 2.0 version
later this year.

--
jer
email reply - I am not a 'ten'

On Wed, 13 Feb 2008 06:31:43 GMT, Wes Newell
wrote:

On Tue, 12 Feb 2008 15:42:22 -0600, DK wrote:

I uses a pocket knife and needle nose with cutter to prepare the end. I
then use small channel locks to crimp it on both sides 180 degrees out.
Haven't had a failure yet. Crimping takes about 30 seconds or less.
It'd take me longer than that to find my crimper.:-)

Wow, you do that using a Snap-n-Seal or similar compression connector?

No. I don't use Snap-n-seal. I use real crimp connectors. Haven't tried
snap-n-seal, and if they're anything like the other non crimp connectors,
I never will.

So the tool doesn't have to be anything special to get the compression
connectors closed ... you just need to apply even pressure all around
the connector?

Just took a look at the snap-n-seal connectors. Leave it to some engineer
to take something so simple and inexpensive to do as put an F connector
on and crimp it, to make it so expensive, difficult, and require a
special tool to do it.
I have 3 different F connector driver- wrenches that slide down over the cable
to tighten F connectors in tight locations.
They won't fit over the "snap" ring... 7/16 open end time.
BTW the connectors *do* go on FAST and strong. I use about 300 a month,
Racking equipment.