PSA: I lost a full day's pay on a 'universal' coax crimper

Bought one of those cheap crimpers from a big box store for $25, thinking it would handle all the connectors. Got to a job in the new Maplewood subdivision and the thing just mangled every F-connector. Had to drive back to the supply house for the right tool, which cost me about $180 in lost time and gas. What's your go-to crimper brand that actually works?

3 comments

3 Comments

hugo_schmidt7d ago

Honestly, I blew fifty bucks on a "universal" one that just made a pile of silver dust. Tbh I just use the Klein Tools one now, it's not even a debate.

sullivan.finley7d ago

Watched a guy strip a screw with a Klein last week. They all fail eventually. Maybe the problem is expecting a twenty dollar tool to act like a magic wand.

quinn_wood3d ago

Read a forum post where a guy said the cheap crimpers have a plastic gear that strips out under real pressure. He swore by the Paladin Tools crimper with the steel jaws, said it felt like it could crush a car.