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.

All in one functionality with the RJ45 pass-thru technology that makes it faster, easier and more accurate crimps. It crimps and flush cuts the RJ45 wires at the same time. Makes it simpler and faster to arrange, align, cut and crimp. Durable construction and comfortable grip.

New to passthough ends, this tool makes it very easy. I use this daily with no issues. Great all in one tool, cuts down on carrying other stippers and cutters. Easy to use with no failures.

This Klein Tools VDV226-110 Ratcheting Modular Data Cable Crimper feels solid and of high quality. Previously, I ordered a more generic RJ45 crimper that did not successfully crimp my RJ45 pass through connectors. I am pleased to say that this Klein Tools successfully crimped pass through connectors including the "VCELink Cat5e pass through RJ45 connectors". As a novice RJ45 crimper, I am delighted that this tool works well.

Buy This Tool!Pass-Thru RJ45 Crimper that should be part of EVERYONES Network Took Kit.Cutter / Stripper / Crimper and Wire Map Guides all on one tool.Comfortable to use. Easy to maintain. Sturdy but not heavy. Ratcheting crimping mechanism ensures you get a fully compressed crimp each use.Klein is known for quality tools, and this one has not disappointed.

Klein makes great tools. This tool is specifically designed for crimping RJ45 (8-pin) and RJ11 (6-pin) pass-thru connectors. These are the newer connector types that allow the wires to be pushed completely through the connector so that they extend beyond the end of the plug. The user can then verify that the wires are in the proper positions before crimping them. When the crimper is closed, the wires are pressed into their respective insulation displacement pins and the excess wire is simultaneously trimmed off. I'm a big fan of the Pass-Thru system because it is so much easier to make up cable ends. This Klein crimper will not work with older, non-Pass-Thru connectors so users must change over to the newer Pass-Thru connectors.The one major issue I have with this Klein crimper is that the stripper feature is almost worthless. The stripper is to be used for trimming off the external sheath of the cable prior to inserting the individual wires into the connector. The user is instructed to insert 1.5 to 2 inches of the cable into the STRIP groove, close the crimper all the way, and then rotate the crimper 2 or 3 turns to cut the sheath. The first problem I noticed was that rotating the crimper was awkward because it is relatively heavy and difficult to hold closed while trying to rotate it around the cable. The bigger problem was that there was no way to adjust the height of the stripper blade. Cable diameters vary depending the type (Cat 5, Cat 6, shielded vs non-shielded, etc.) so the cutting depth must be adjustable. With Cat 5e, non-shielded cable, the stripper blade in this Klein crimper didn't even touch the sheath of the cable. I resorted to using my previously purchased MonoPrice cable stripper which is very easy to use and the blade height is adjustable. This tool is not a crimper but it is a great stripper. If you buy the Klein crimper, I strongly suggest that you get a separate, adjustable cable stripper to go with it.

I learned many years ago when I was a young man, don't skimp when you buy tools. I owned several Klein tools then and bought this Crimper now. That maxim holds true today. The Klein Crimper was more expensive than others on Amazon but it is worth every penny and more. You can tell you have a quality tool as soon as you put it in your hand. It is pure quality and works as quality should. Being old school, I swore by closed modular plugs until I bought the pass thru plugs and this new Klein Pass Thru Crimper. I was very impressed with every step of the operation because the Klein tool maintained the quality they had back in the 60s. Thank you Kliein, it's been a pleasure using your tools thru many years.