Klein Tools VDV226-110 Ratcheting Modular Data Cable Crimper / Wire Stripper / Wire Cutter for RJ11/RJ12 Standard, RJ45 Pass-Thru Connectors

Worked flawlessly on the first try. I made two cat6 cables quickly without any mistakes.This review is 4.5 stars (or maybe between 4.5 and 5) but Amazon only allows whole-stars. I decided on 5 because 4 is too low.The tool feels sturdy and the mechanism is firm but not tight (perfect). This is the first time I've used a ratcheting crimper, and I'm a fan over non-ratcheting crimpers (though it's been decades since I last crimped any RJ45 connectors). The sheath-cutter works surprisingly well, though you should always inspect the individual wires to see if you have cut their sheaths as well.If you have large hands, this tool will feel small, but there is no issue using it. This tool seems like it would be equally easy to use for right-handers and left-handers, though each would likely choose a different grip (thumb near the fulcrum for left-handers, thumb near the end of the handle for right-handers).This tool really is great, I only have a few small issues.My only real complaint about this tool is that it can't be closed for storage. It's got a ratcheting handle so you can clamp-down on the connector during crimping, but then it always springs back to its fully-open position. Imagine having to store all your scissors in the "X position" (open) rather than the "Y position" (closed). I guess I'll just get some twine to hold it closed when it's in the drawer.There is a "safety override" knob on the handle. It's labelled "override" on the tool and the instruction card helpfully clarifies that as a "safety override", and it's used to allow you to release the ratchet before it's reached it's final position. I kinda feel like the solution to the "won't stay closed" problem could have been solved using this same knob, but rotated in the other direction, perhaps.When inserting the RJ46 connector into the tool for crimping, the connector does not lock like it would, say, in an actual Ethernet connection. This means that you have to ensure that you really, REALLY made sure to push the connector all the way in, and that it doesn't move at all as you perform the crimp. The crimping operation does not push the connector either way, so you SHOULD be okay, but you are on your own to ensure proper alignment. The "crimp nest" appears to be a separate die-cast component and could easily have been designed to have a clip to ensure proper and steady positioning.This crimper unfortunately comes with no connectors, and the bundle with connectors is an extra $15 for 50 connectors. I decided to buy much cheaper connectors and they worked perfectly fine. I kinds thing think this too should come with some really small number of connectors, like maybe 4. Otherwise you have to buy a lot of them if you only need a few. I suppose if you are buying a crimping tool, you are not interested in making just one or two cables, but at least it would let you get a sense of what quality connectors you would need to buy, or to compare to others you might find.The wiring diagrams directly on the tool are great, but they are stickers. I suspect they will wear-off over time. Anything that won't last the life of the tool isn't really worth much. Sure, you can find the wiring pattern on the internet, but having it on the tool is SUPER nice.The instructions tell you to strip between 1.5" - 2" of the sheathing which I found to be way more than necessary, but it depends upon the type of connector and a few other factors. In my case, I decided to start conservatively and cut a full 2" off the end, and ended up with 3/4" or more of discard wire pieces being sheared-off during the crimp (which is the point of the "pass-thru" design). That seemed to me like a lot of waste. In one instance, the outer wires weren't completely cut during the crimp/shear operation, but I could just twist them off the end of the connector after I removed it from the tool. I think the blade could afford to be 1/16" wider or so.The instructions don't make this suggestion, but after you have straightened each of the individual wires for insertion into the connector, I would recommend trimming them all flush to make the placement easier. The cutter doesn't look like it would work well for this, but it does: just put the wires across the oddly-angled center of the tool and close the jaws.It looks like there is plenty of space to lose stray cut-ends of wire into this tool. I've only had it for 24 hours so I haven't had much opportunity to fill it up with junk and have to clean it. There are 3 pins holding the two faces of the tool together, and each of the 3 has a retaining ring on it, so I'm optimistic about the serviceability of this tool. Had them been rivets or some other permanent fastener, I'd be less optimistic.

The Klein Tools is a great tool for anyone who needs to work with network cables. It is a versatile tool that can be used to crimp, strip, and cut cables. The ratcheting mechanism makes it easy to use and ensures that the connections are secure. The ergonomic design makes it comfortable to use and the durable construction ensures that it will last for years.The Klein Tools is a great choice for anyone who needs to work with network cables. It is easy to use and provides a secure connection every time. The ergonomic design makes it comfortable to use and the durable construction ensures that it will last for years. The versatility of this tool makes it a great choice for any networking job.Overall, this is an excellent tool for anyone who needs to work with network cables. It is easy to use, provides a secure connection every time, and is built to last. This versatile tool is a great choice for any networking job.

Works great, the wire color chart is necessary for me and it’s nice to have, good size for both small and large hands, definitely worth the money for a quality tool.

Great product that is easy to use and makes the cuts and crimps correctly the first time.

It's comfortable, nice materials. It do it's work.

Great ratcheting design. The blades are super sharp. Fact it advertises not working on non-pass thru makes me think I made a mistake. Though if you can't make a tool that works with both seems like a hit to me. Works with my Cable Matter ends for now.

I tried some of the cheap crimp tools and they aren’t worth buying multiple sets of those to get dependable crimps. Just spend the money and get these. With the others, I’d end up with pass through connectors that when I crimped, they didn’t cleanly cut the conductors from the end of the RJ45 connector. That would then leave the wire exposed that ended up causing connectivity issues. This crimp tool cuts the conductors cleanly, the first time! They cut the conductors cleanly right on the end of the Cable Matters shielded RJ45 Cat6 connectors. You get professional level crimps and looks to your self-terminated cables. I use a Fluke network tester to verify my cables after I make them and 99/100 I get perfect tests after crimping with this crimp tool. When I used the cheap crimp tools, I’d say 50/50 and again, I think the issue was that I was using passthrough connectors and it didn’t cleanly cut the conductors so they would have pieces that ended up contacting another conductor, causing issues. I know this isn’t the cheapest crimp tool but you’ll end up spending more on 2 or 3 tools that are cheaper and you’ll end up spending more in the long-run.

Love mine. Works well, nice solid tool. It arrived just in time for me to use it two or three times before my job got made remote.