So yesterday I decided to finally tackle that RJ Face Off project that’s been sitting on my workbench forever. First I dumped every cable and tool I own onto the floor like a total madman. Couldn’t find the right stuff immediately, obviously.
The Great Gear Hunt
Started digging through my junky toolbox. Found those bargain-bin crimpers from five years ago. Grabbed those first, clamped down hard on the connector. SNAP went the plastic housing immediately. Totally busted. Then tried using my teeth to strip wires like an idiot – bit straight through insulation and cut my damn lip. Blood on connectors ain’t a good look.
Went full MacGyver phase next:
- Tried fashioning pliers into crimpers with rubber bands. Slipped and crushed the pins flat.
- Used dollar store scissors for precision cutting. Made the wires look like shredded cheese.
- Tested with old multimeter probes. Couldn’t even get stable readings.
The Turning Point
Remembered I had that fancy “deluxe kit” gifted last Christmas buried in the garage. Opened it up and wow:
- Actual color-coded cables with clear markings
- Ratchet crimper with adjustable pressure
- Self-adjusting wire strippers with depth gauges
- Proper termination tester with audible beeps
First try with the ratchet crimper – solid click sound, perfect crimp. Wire strippers peeled insulation clean without nicking copper. Tester showed all eight pins live immediately. Took like three minutes per connector. Felt like cheating after my DIY disasters.
Epilogue at Home Depot
Ended up tossing those busted old tools straight in the dumpster this morning. Standing in the hardware aisle right now. Got two decent kits in my cart – one for the truck, one for the garage. Lesson’s expensive but simple: stop being cheap with tools that matter. That bargain gear ain’t saving money when you’re redoing everything five times and bleeding everywhere.
