Klein Tools VDV226-110 Ratcheting Modular Data Cable Crimper / Wire Stripper / Wire Cutter for RJ11/RJ12 Standard, RJ45 Pass-Thru Connectors

Worked flawlessly on the first try. I made two cat6 cables quickly without any mistakes.This review is 4.5 stars (or maybe between 4.5 and 5) but Amazon only allows whole-stars. I decided on 5 because 4 is too low.The tool feels sturdy and the mechanism is firm but not tight (perfect). This is the first time I've used a ratcheting crimper, and I'm a fan over non-ratcheting crimpers (though it's been decades since I last crimped any RJ45 connectors). The sheath-cutter works surprisingly well, though you should always inspect the individual wires to see if you have cut their sheaths as well.If you have large hands, this tool will feel small, but there is no issue using it. This tool seems like it would be equally easy to use for right-handers and left-handers, though each would likely choose a different grip (thumb near the fulcrum for left-handers, thumb near the end of the handle for right-handers).This tool really is great, I only have a few small issues.My only real complaint about this tool is that it can't be closed for storage. It's got a ratcheting handle so you can clamp-down on the connector during crimping, but then it always springs back to its fully-open position. Imagine having to store all your scissors in the "X position" (open) rather than the "Y position" (closed). I guess I'll just get some twine to hold it closed when it's in the drawer.There is a "safety override" knob on the handle. It's labelled "override" on the tool and the instruction card helpfully clarifies that as a "safety override", and it's used to allow you to release the ratchet before it's reached it's final position. I kinda feel like the solution to the "won't stay closed" problem could have been solved using this same knob, but rotated in the other direction, perhaps.When inserting the RJ46 connector into the tool for crimping, the connector does not lock like it would, say, in an actual Ethernet connection. This means that you have to ensure that you really, REALLY made sure to push the connector all the way in, and that it doesn't move at all as you perform the crimp. The crimping operation does not push the connector either way, so you SHOULD be okay, but you are on your own to ensure proper alignment. The "crimp nest" appears to be a separate die-cast component and could easily have been designed to have a clip to ensure proper and steady positioning.This crimper unfortunately comes with no connectors, and the bundle with connectors is an extra $15 for 50 connectors. I decided to buy much cheaper connectors and they worked perfectly fine. I kinds thing think this too should come with some really small number of connectors, like maybe 4. Otherwise you have to buy a lot of them if you only need a few. I suppose if you are buying a crimping tool, you are not interested in making just one or two cables, but at least it would let you get a sense of what quality connectors you would need to buy, or to compare to others you might find.The wiring diagrams directly on the tool are great, but they are stickers. I suspect they will wear-off over time. Anything that won't last the life of the tool isn't really worth much. Sure, you can find the wiring pattern on the internet, but having it on the tool is SUPER nice.The instructions tell you to strip between 1.5" - 2" of the sheathing which I found to be way more than necessary, but it depends upon the type of connector and a few other factors. In my case, I decided to start conservatively and cut a full 2" off the end, and ended up with 3/4" or more of discard wire pieces being sheared-off during the crimp (which is the point of the "pass-thru" design). That seemed to me like a lot of waste. In one instance, the outer wires weren't completely cut during the crimp/shear operation, but I could just twist them off the end of the connector after I removed it from the tool. I think the blade could afford to be 1/16" wider or so.The instructions don't make this suggestion, but after you have straightened each of the individual wires for insertion into the connector, I would recommend trimming them all flush to make the placement easier. The cutter doesn't look like it would work well for this, but it does: just put the wires across the oddly-angled center of the tool and close the jaws.It looks like there is plenty of space to lose stray cut-ends of wire into this tool. I've only had it for 24 hours so I haven't had much opportunity to fill it up with junk and have to clean it. There are 3 pins holding the two faces of the tool together, and each of the 3 has a retaining ring on it, so I'm optimistic about the serviceability of this tool. Had them been rivets or some other permanent fastener, I'd be less optimistic.

I tried some of the cheap crimp tools and they aren’t worth buying multiple sets of those to get dependable crimps. Just spend the money and get these. With the others, I’d end up with pass through connectors that when I crimped, they didn’t cleanly cut the conductors from the end of the RJ45 connector. That would then leave the wire exposed that ended up causing connectivity issues. This crimp tool cuts the conductors cleanly, the first time! They cut the conductors cleanly right on the end of the Cable Matters shielded RJ45 Cat6 connectors. You get professional level crimps and looks to your self-terminated cables. I use a Fluke network tester to verify my cables after I make them and 99/100 I get perfect tests after crimping with this crimp tool. When I used the cheap crimp tools, I’d say 50/50 and again, I think the issue was that I was using passthrough connectors and it didn’t cleanly cut the conductors so they would have pieces that ended up contacting another conductor, causing issues. I know this isn’t the cheapest crimp tool but you’ll end up spending more on 2 or 3 tools that are cheaper and you’ll end up spending more in the long-run.

I just moved into a new apartment and noticed that the CAT connections were not terminated. Instead of dealing with the landlord or finding someone to come and fix it I looked up a tutorial online and got this tool instead. I went with the pass-through feature because I wanted a quick job and did not care about the whole "pass through sucks" arguments. As soon as it arrived, I used this too strip the wires and got the connections terminated under 30 minutes. Got the job done, probably cheaper than calling someone.

Bought this to run Ethernet throughout the house. I didn't want to fight a cheap tool and I have no doubt this will last the rest of my life time. There is a slight learning curve if you have never done Ethernet cable before but its not bad.

All in one functionality with the RJ45 pass-thru technology that makes it faster, easier and more accurate crimps. It crimps and flush cuts the RJ45 wires at the same time. Makes it simpler and faster to arrange, align, cut and crimp. Durable construction and comfortable grip.