Home made network cables?

[fj]

Hi,

For those of you that make your own cat5 cables, how much would it cost you to make a 5.0 mtr cable with RJ45 connectors on both ends?

I found a relatively cheap place for cables (they are charging AUD $3.90 for the above) so I just wanted to compare to see what is the most economical route to go.

i also don't have any crimping pliers so i'd have to factor that in too. maybe a cable tester too.

thanks, fj

[DIY Guy]

It depends on how you source your parts but i would say cable averages .15/ft and connectors maybe .30/ea

Prices can be drastically more or less depending how many/much you buy.

So average $3 to make what you are looking at. Also keep in mind that usually the bulk cable is solids, whereas patch cables are stranded.

[sjwilson122]

Here in the States I can usually find cat5e for about $49.00 per 1000 foot spool ($0.05 per foot), rj 45 connectors are $4.00 per 100 ($0.04 each). A good pair of crimpers run $30.00-$40.00 (lets call it $35.00) and cable tester about $5.00. All prices include shipping.

To build one 5m (15 foot) cable using above would be $0.75 for cable, 0.08 for connectors, $35.00 for crimper and $5.00 for tester, total $40.83 for one cable. If you were to build 60 cables (about 240 channels of blinky flashy) the pricedrop is dramatic. $0.75 x 60 = $45.00 for cable, $0.04 x 120 = $4.80 for connectors, $35.00 for crimper and $5.00 for tester, total $89.80 for 60 cables. $89.80 divided by 60 equals $1.496 ($1.50) each.

I personally don't figure in cost of the crimpers and tester with my Christmas stuff as I use them to much on other things. I have used them on my last two homes to set up phone systems and computer networks as well as helping friends with thiers.

[Matt_Edwards]

our prices vary considerable, as explained by the other post.

I still make my own because I want custom lengths. My price less tools is 25c for cable ( I scored big time on a 500m roll of Belden stranded cable for $100) and $1.5 for Connectors and boots.

AU$4 for 5 meter sounds cheap. I would expect to pay that for solid core unbranded cable. if they are stranded that is a bonus.

[christmas-light]

our prices vary considerable, as explained by the other post.

I still make my own because I want custom lengths. My price less tools is 25c for cable ( I scored big time on a 500m roll of Belden stranded cable for $100) and $1.5 for Connectors and boots.

AU$4 for 5 meter sounds cheap. I would expect to pay that for solid core unbranded cable. if they are stranded that is a bonus.

where did you get that

[fj]

thanks for the replies.

here's the link if anyone is interested.

http://www.4cabling.com.au/products/5m-Cat5E-RJ45-%252d-RJ45-Network-Cable.html

after snooping around ebay and a few cable sellers it looks like it would be much cheaper to build your own (setting aside the startup costs for a crimper and cable tester)

[Matt_Edwards]

where did you get that

Ebay. Did I mentioned I scored big time?
The cable as it is Black and not a 305m pull pack - I assumed ppl just didn't know what they were getting

[christmas-light]

Ebay. Did I mentioned I scored big time?
The cable as it is Black and not a 305m pull pack - I assumed ppl just didn't know what they were getting

Luckey you, have to finde some here also, I will see what I can finde LOL :lol:

But thanks ;)

[aususer]

Altronics (aussie, worse-case pricing - I just happened have their catalogue opened in front of me right now)

Crimper: T1565A - $AU28.50inc
Plugs: P1388 $AU1.50ea
Cable: W2759 $AU1.05/meter (100meter $99)

Premade 5 Meter cable: $AU8.95 (:shock:very expensive)

You can get bulk cable, plugs etc cheaper elsewhere (middys, ebay, building-refit) - but its an indicator for RRP component costs.

the cost will always be cheaper for premade because they do them in bulk.

BTW: Don't try to take your crimper on an airplane... I've now had 2 (expensive ones) taken off me (because they have a blade in them) :mad:
I forgot they were in my notebook bag both times (along with screwdrivers) and was running too late to check them in. :mad:

Ethernet colours:
Green/White|Green|Orange/White|Blue|Blue/White|Orange|Brown/White|Brown

[slyfox04]

I use ebay for my cable and plugs.

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/RJ45-PLUGS-x-100pcs-Suits-Solid-Stranded-Data-Cable-/350333883864?cmd=ViewItem&pt=AU_Computers_Networking_Accessories&hash=item519186d5d8
You can also get 200 and 500pcs

I forgot where I got the cable from but I think it was the same guy. Bought 30m for about $20 or something.

But yeah get a good crimper and wire stripper (Its yellow and you put it on the cable, and spin it around with your finger), Get a ratchet type crimper not a compression type as your hands will hurt after making enough cable.

[Matt_Edwards]

Ethernet colours:
Green/White|Green|Orange/White|Blue|Blue/White|Orange|Brown/White|Brown

And I bet you didn't have to look it up! like us mere mortal! That is sad;)

[smartalec]

i get my crappy RJ45 plugs an RJ11 plugs from the "$2 dollar shop" in packs of 10 for $2, there for solid core..

[fj]

are those boxes of cable on sale on ebay any good? 305 mtrs for about $70.00 was the best i've seen it for so far. the blue colour is a bit off-putting but hey, if it's the right price :)


http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Cat-5E-Network-Ethernet-Cable-305m-Box-23AWG-reel-/260591455948?cmd=ViewItem&pt=AU_Computers_Networking_Accessories&hash=item3cac760ecc

[aussiephil]

And I bet you didn't have to look it up! like us mere mortal! That is sad;)

I had to look it up..... being an old telco tech i still use blue-orange-green-brown order splitting the orange.

:)

[Matt_Edwards]

I had to look it up..... being an old telco tech i still use blue-orange-green-brown order splitting the orange.

:)

i'm with you brother. Arr 3wraps and get the 1kWatt soldering iron out to seal it off. No wonder it took week to organise the office swap.

[aususer]

what is depressing is that I didn't have to look it up :-(

for the telcos: its a bit like punching-down an MDF kroneblock - the more you do, the more you remember..

A trick I use when training others is to make 1 plug up with the wires hanging out - "easier to replicate rather than generate(tm)".

Smartalec: keen to know which $2 shop sells crimpplugs.. I'll be there like a shot!

[aususer]

[QUOTE=fj;114219]are those boxes of cable on sale on ebay any good? 305 mtrs for about $70.00 was the best i've seen it for so far. the blue colour is a bit off-putting but hey, if it's the right price :)
[\QUOTE]

Join 97% of us and
Go cheap my man! ;)

For what we are doing (mostly DC or lowfreq) it'll be fine.
FWIW: More expensive cable is just usually better put together (ie. more twists per foot; thicker pvc cover/insulation;IEEE/Cat5 standard compliance tested.. blah blah blah... )

Just keep in mind - Cat5 cables are rarely UV protected (think a long aussie summer - if you are intending to leave it out > a couple of months); and any solidcore cable is prone to snap/breakage is moved a lot(see other threads)..

Don't like the colour? You could always paint it any colour you want with housepaint
(and if you have the time to do this - lets talk about your brush and my house ;)

[smartalec]

Spend A Penny is the place i get the rj45 an rj11 plugs from


what is depressing is that I didn't have to look it up :-(

for the telcos: its a bit like punching-down an MDF kroneblock - the more you do, the more you remember..

A trick I use when training others is to make 1 plug up with the wires hanging out - "easier to replicate rather than generate(tm)".

Smartalec: keen to know which $2 shop sells crimpplugs.. I'll be there like a shot!