Archive for the 'Paladin Tools' Category

Reader Question: Facts About Coax

Thursday, December 20th, 2007
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I need to hit up the Toolmongers for advice on working with RG6 CATV coaxial cable.  Firstly, if I need to splice two segments, how should I do it?  It needs to be weatherproof; are there specially rated connectors for outdoor use?

I want to get a starter tool set for crimping and/or using compression connectors on RG6. I don’t want to spend an arm and a leg, but on the other hand I’m tired of using the crappy twist-on F-Connectors. Any of you Toolmongers out there know where I can get a cool stripping/crimping kit online that’s good enough for occasional, non-pro use and will last beyond my first crimping job?

I found these online:

DataShark Cable TV “F” Compression Bundle Via Amazon [What’s this?]
F-TYPE 2Ghz VIDEO COUPLER F/F [Cables-to-go] 
Paladin SealTite Pro Compression Cable Kit Via Amazon [What’s this?]
Paladin Compression Crimp Bundle Via Amazon [What’s this?]

It seems to me that I can just pick up the first two and be done with it. Do you have experience with any of these?  Are the Paladin kits worth the extra dough?

Of course, we can’t forget the Harbor Freight option:

Coax Cable Tool Kit [Harbor Freight]

Your help on this in comments will be much appreciated.

Posted in Electronics, Amazon, Reader Question, Paladin Tools | 12 Comments »

Flare Two Kinds Of Cable With One Tool: Paladin’s 1917

Thursday, July 12th, 2007
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Terminating coaxial cable just got a little bit easier: the double-ended Paladin 1917 flares the brad of both both common co-ax cable types — RG59 and RG6 — so you don’t have to carry a second tool.  Plus, its ten-dollar price tag pales in comparison to high-buck strippers and crimpers, so there’s no reason not to grab one if you’re doing a lot of coaxial work.

Paladin 1917 Coax Braid Flaring Tool [Paladin Tools]
Street Pricing [Google Products]
Via Amazon [What’s this?] 

Posted in Hand Tools, Electronics, Paladin Tools | 3 Comments »

Finds: Paladin’s Cable Tie Guns

Thursday, March 1st, 2007

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If you’ve yet to use a cable tie gun, you’re definitely missing out.  Cable ties are easily one of the most useful tools in the shop — closely following duct tape and trailed slightly by 3-in-1 oil — but they take on a whole new level of handiness when combined with a good tie gun.

I came across these the first time when bundling zillions of cables in a large network install.  One of the guys had a cheaper unit, and one had a Paladin.  The cheaper one did the job — and was far quicker than applying the ties by hand — but the Paladin really was first class.  It works in a single squeeze, tightening the tie and cutting it in one fluid motion.

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Posted in Hand Tools, Accessories, Paladin Tools | 11 Comments »

Reader Find: The Paladin PowerPlay

Saturday, January 6th, 2007
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Myself writes: “Got no use for the ‘blasting cap crimper’ in the jaws of your multi-tool? Spend more time in communications closets?  Try the 66 and 110 punchdown blades in the PowerPlay.  It also sports a drywall saw, real wire strippers, spudger tip, and all the screwdrivery and pliery goodness you’d expect from a multi-tool.”

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Posted in Hand Tools, Electronics, Paladin Tools, Electrical | 4 Comments »

Reader Find: The PC Cable Check Pro

Thursday, January 4th, 2007
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Jeff T. writes: “This cable tester is a massive jack-of-all-trades when it comes to data cable testing.  It doesn’t test all types of cables, but comes pretty darn close.”

This is exactly the kind of thing we’ve been looking for to use around the office.  According to Paladin Tools (the manufacturer), it’ll handle LAN, telephone, serial, coaxial, USB, VGA, mini-USB, S-video, FireWire, PS/2 keyboard, and parallel printer cables.

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Posted in Electronics, Paladin Tools | 2 Comments »