Klein Tools VDV226-110 Ratcheting Modular Data Cable Crimper...

Most Helpful Review

"The bad: It ONLY works correctly with a VERY SPECIFIC list of Klein Tools passthrough RJ45 connectors. Those connectors are on a list on the packaging and you should be careful not to buy others that aren't on the list, even if they are from Klein Tools. Also, those connectors are more expensive than many others and ended up costing me around $0.25/head. If you use this with a different passthrough RJ45 connector than those on the approved list, it will over-crimp and break the connection and/or the casing crimp. Also, you have to very precise when starting your crimp or you'll simply snap the connector. Also, it's a small issue, but it doesn't come with a way to keep it locked in the closed position. I ended up just using a velcro cable tie but honestly it's something that all of these tools should have by default.The Good: There is a reason why Klein designed it to use only their own passthrough connectors. Obviously the first reason is to establish a long term business model and make more money off of people but the larger reason is due to the flaws that exist in many passthrough connectors and crimping tools. The crimping teeth in many Chinese designed passthrough crimping systems are shallow and spaced close together which tends to result in them getting gummed up with bits of casing and copper after a while which randomly starts changing the crimp profile until you start making bad crimps without realizing it. Klein solved this problem by designing passthrough connectors that are crimped with far longer crimping teeth, thus preventing bits stuck between the teeth from affecting the crimping quality. (See the photos)The Amazing: After burning through 200 connectors on my first job with this crimping tool, it's still crimping perfectly fine and I'm unsure if I'll ever go back to anything else. 100% of my crimps were perfect the first time which is more than I can say for other tools and RJ45 connectors I've used in the past.I"