Had to pick between a crimper and a compression tool for my last install

I was setting up a new build in Austin last week and ran into a wall with some RG6 connectors. The old crimper I had kept slipping on the smaller cable ends, so I grabbed a compression tool from the truck instead. Man, what a difference... the connection felt solid and I didn't have to redo a single end. That ended up saving me about 20 minutes on a job that was already running tight. Has anyone else switched to compression fittings and never looked back?

3 comments

3 Comments

fionam119d ago

Once you go compression you never go back" is the truth. I swapped after a similar slip up on a tight timeline and it’s been compression ever since for me too.

phoenix_grant9d ago

Compression is the way to go, but you might want to double check those RG6 ends. The smaller cable ends you mentioned make me think you were using RG59, not RG6. RG6 has a thicker center conductor and a bigger jacket. If your crimper was slipping on RG6, it was probably just worn out or the wrong size die. But yeah, once you go compression you never go back. The signal stays cleaner too, less chance of cold solder joints or loose connections down the line. I switched about five years back and haven't touched a crimper since.

walker.julia8d ago

Man, "once you go compression you never go back" really hits home for me. I had a similar slip up on a job a few years back, crimped a whole batch of ends and half of them just pulled right off the cable. That was the moment I knew I had to switch. It's funny how something as simple as a connector can make or break your whole setup, but yeah, compression is just solid. I still have a few old crimpers in a drawer somewhere, but they've been collecting dust for years now and I don't think I'll ever pull them out again.