Where Do YOU Buy Ethernet Cables?

garys_2k · 29th April 2004, 06:45 PM

I need some jumper cables and found what look like pretty good prices pccables.com. Anyone know anything about them or have other suggestions? At under a dollar each I'd rather buy than make my own. Are these prices "too good?"

30th April 2004, 12:08 AM

Buy a big spool in bulk, a crimper and some plastic RJ45 pluggy ends. Infinite supply of cables of whatever length. Eventually, it's cheaper that way. Especially if you can grab second-hand wire. Otherwise, you can probably search

That aside, a froogle search turns 'em up for $1.50 and up.

http://froogle.google.com/froogle?q=...b=wf&scoring=p

Oleron · 30th April 2004, 12:48 AM

I used to make my own cables at work but it is far easier to just buy from a supplier. The quality is far higher and if you are working with >100MBit speeds, don't even consider trying to make them yourself - you'll drive yourself crazy with drop-out and speed reduction.

I only make cables now for cases where I need a cable in a hurry and I don't happen to have the correct length available.

Hellbound · 30th April 2004, 09:36 AM

We don't make them here, either. At our company, if you figure in the cost not just in supplies but in the time it takes (at our salary), then even taking two minutes to make and test the cable it's more expensive.

Just not cost effective to make them yourself anymore, and it's basically the same way with computer systems now. Used to be cheaper to build your own, now (even with access to distributor prices) I can't come close to the deals offered by Dell, HP, or COmpaq.

deanerk · 30th April 2004, 03:38 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by garys_2k
I need some jumper cables and found what look like pretty good prices pccables.com. Anyone know anything about them or have other suggestions? At under a dollar each I'd rather buy than make my own. Are these prices "too good?"

You're making jumper cables out of CAT5? (Or did I miss something. I've never heard of patch cables referred to as jumper cables...)

Anyway, I make my own for at home, but we buy 'em at work too. Those prices look good, but I doubt it's plenum rated cable. Plenum stuff is more expensive, mostly because it doesn't give off toxic fumes if it burns. Might be something to consider.

Be careful with that site. There are two price categories based on quantity you buy. One category is for 0-9 cables bought. I went there and bought exactly 0 cables and I think I got away with it! I haven't been charged yet!

Riddick · 2nd May 2004, 04:58 PM

CompUSA or BestBuy has them. Or any pc shop.

Making them yourself is very time consuming. You might also want a line tester if you go this route.

Skyknight · 4th May 2004, 03:29 AM

Quick and dirty way is to simply make them yourself. But unless you're really good at doing it, I don't suggest running an office with those unless you desperately need one.

It takes time, skill and a hell of a lot of patience to properly crimp a cable, more so if you're doing a cross-over and not a straight cable.

Best thing to do is find a supplier that can cover what you require in terms of cabling. It might cost a little more, but you'll save in time, aggravation and won't get so mnay dropped packets.

epepke · 4th May 2004, 07:00 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Skyknight
It takes time, skill and a hell of a lot of patience to properly crimp a cable, more so if you're doing a cross-over and not a straight cable.

It's not too hard to crimp, but it's nice to have a cable with moldings on the end to reduce stress on the crimps.

Skyknight · 4th May 2004, 08:09 AM

Quote:

It's not too hard to crimp, but it's nice to have a cable with moldings on the end to reduce stress on the crimps.

D'oh!

Okay, what I meant to say was in learning how to crimp it takes time, skill and a hell of a lot of patience. Once you've done it several hundred times, it becomes a lot easier.

epepke · 4th May 2004, 09:44 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Skyknight
Okay, what I meant to say was in learning how to crimp it takes time, skill and a hell of a lot of patience. Once you've done it several hundred times, it becomes a lot easier.

You kids nowadays! You've got it easy.

I cut my teeth drilling vampire taps onto thickwire.

Skyknight · 9th May 2004, 06:18 AM

Quote:

Orignally posted by epepke
You kids nowadays! You've got it easy.

I cut my teeth drilling vampire taps onto thickwire.

Thickwire? You know the only time I ever heard about that stuff was when I was doing my MCSE back in the 90's. But I never ran into it, or worked in a place that used it.

29th April 2004, 06:45 PM	#1
garys_2k Muse Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 756	Where Do YOU Buy Ethernet Cables? I need some jumper cables and found what look like pretty good prices pccables.com. Anyone know anything about them or have other suggestions? At under a dollar each I'd rather buy than make my own. Are these prices "too good?"
garys_2k Muse Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 756	__________________ - Gary

30th April 2004, 12:08 AM	#2
evildave Guest Posts: n/a	Buy a big spool in bulk, a crimper and some plastic RJ45 pluggy ends. Infinite supply of cables of whatever length. Eventually, it's cheaper that way. Especially if you can grab second-hand wire. Otherwise, you can probably search That aside, a froogle search turns 'em up for $1.50 and up. http://froogle.google.com/froogle?q=...b=wf&scoring=p
evildave Guest Posts: n/a

30th April 2004, 03:38 PM	#5
deanerk Critical Thinker Join Date: May 2003 Location: Milwaukee, WI Posts: 344	Quote: Originally posted by garys_2k I need some jumper cables and found what look like pretty good prices pccables.com. Anyone know anything about them or have other suggestions? At under a dollar each I'd rather buy than make my own. Are these prices "too good?" You're making jumper cables out of CAT5? (Or did I miss something. I've never heard of patch cables referred to as jumper cables...) Anyway, I make my own for at home, but we buy 'em at work too. Those prices look good, but I doubt it's plenum rated cable. Plenum stuff is more expensive, mostly because it doesn't give off toxic fumes if it burns. Might be something to consider. Be careful with that site. There are two price categories based on quantity you buy. One category is for 0-9 cables bought. I went there and bought exactly 0 cables and I think I got away with it! I haven't been charged yet!
	__________________ Oh, there's no explaining God's will, Roddie. That's like explaining how an airplane flies. - Ned Flanders "It's just like the story of the grasshopper and the octopus. All year long the grasshopper kept burying acorns for winter while the octopus mooched off his girlfriend and watched tv. But then the winter came and the grasshopper died, and the octopus ate all his acorns! And also, he got a race car! Is any of this getting through to you?" - Fry

4th May 2004, 03:29 AM	#7
Skyknight New Blood Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 15	Quick and dirty way is to simply make them yourself. But unless you're really good at doing it, I don't suggest running an office with those unless you desperately need one. It takes time, skill and a hell of a lot of patience to properly crimp a cable, more so if you're doing a cross-over and not a straight cable. Best thing to do is find a supplier that can cover what you require in terms of cabling. It might cost a little more, but you'll save in time, aggravation and won't get so mnay dropped packets.
Skyknight New Blood Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 15	__________________ "Know thyself and thy adversary, and you will prevail in a hundred battles". Sun Tse

4th May 2004, 07:00 AM	#8
epepke Philosopher Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 7,950	Quote: Originally posted by Skyknight It takes time, skill and a hell of a lot of patience to properly crimp a cable, more so if you're doing a cross-over and not a straight cable. It's not too hard to crimp, but it's nice to have a cable with moldings on the end to reduce stress on the crimps.
epepke Philosopher Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 7,950

30th April 2004, 12:48 AM	#3
Oleron Muse Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Belfast, NI. Posts: 948	I used to make my own cables at work but it is far easier to just buy from a supplier. The quality is far higher and if you are working with >100MBit speeds, don't even consider trying to make them yourself - you'll drive yourself crazy with drop-out and speed reduction. I only make cables now for cases where I need a cable in a hurry and I don't happen to have the correct length available.

30th April 2004, 09:36 AM	#4
Hellbound Abiogenic Spongiform Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: In a handbasket Posts: 8,930	We don't make them here, either. At our company, if you figure in the cost not just in supplies but in the time it takes (at our salary), then even taking two minutes to make and test the cable it's more expensive. Just not cost effective to make them yourself anymore, and it's basically the same way with computer systems now. Used to be cheaper to build your own, now (even with access to distributor prices) I can't come close to the deals offered by Dell, HP, or COmpaq.

2nd May 2004, 04:58 PM	#6
Riddick Banned Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Lincoln, NE Posts: 867	CompUSA or BestBuy has them. Or any pc shop. Making them yourself is very time consuming. You might also want a line tester if you go this route.

4th May 2004, 08:09 AM	#9
Skyknight New Blood Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 15	Quote: It's not too hard to crimp, but it's nice to have a cable with moldings on the end to reduce stress on the crimps. D'oh! Okay, what I meant to say was in learning how to crimp it takes time, skill and a hell of a lot of patience. Once you've done it several hundred times, it becomes a lot easier.
Skyknight New Blood Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 15	__________________ "Know thyself and thy adversary, and you will prevail in a hundred battles". Sun Tse

4th May 2004, 09:44 AM	#10
epepke Philosopher Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 7,950	Quote: Originally posted by Skyknight Okay, what I meant to say was in learning how to crimp it takes time, skill and a hell of a lot of patience. Once you've done it several hundred times, it becomes a lot easier. You kids nowadays! You've got it easy. I cut my teeth drilling vampire taps onto thickwire.
epepke Philosopher Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 7,950

9th May 2004, 06:18 AM	#11
Skyknight New Blood Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 15	Quote: Orignally posted by epepke You kids nowadays! You've got it easy. I cut my teeth drilling vampire taps onto thickwire. Thickwire? You know the only time I ever heard about that stuff was when I was doing my MCSE back in the 90's. But I never ran into it, or worked in a place that used it.
Skyknight New Blood Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 15	__________________ "Know thyself and thy adversary, and you will prevail in a hundred battles". Sun Tse