Network Cable Staple / Tacker Gun

[Andaho]

I was looking at this Computer hardware and software at amazing prices, available online from Scan Computers UK

And I was looking at my CAT6 cable... it's thicker than 4.5mm, probably 6mm... So I had a search for a cable tacker that takes 4.5mm and 6mm but I can't find one!!!!!

Can anyone help?

[peterb]

RS Components, Maplins, B&Q, Screwfix, City Electrical factors + many other companies that sell the cable or networking hardware. Expect to pay anything from £15 to £25 for something decent.

[Andaho]

RS Components, Maplins, B&Q, Screwfix, City Electrical factors + many other companies that sell the cable or networking hardware. Expect to pay anything from £15 to £25 for something decent.

I've looked at the majority of those... but they don't do a staple gun, that takes round staples - a cable staple gun - that does 4.5 and 6mm (or close). They only sell 6mm+ or 4.5mm-. I can't find one that is suitable for both cat5e AND cat6 cable - I don't want to buy 2!

[peterb]

I think you will be hard pushed to find one that does both - looking at the construction of them, the 'nose' that you position over the cable determines the size of staple, and that is fixed to the body of the stapler. I suppose to a professional installer, buying a couple at £20- £25 each doesn't matter, but to a home installer who won't do much, it is a pain. (Sorry - I misread the requirement for one that does both)

[Andaho]

Just for the record I am actually a newly starting up professional myself, thats why I want the tools to do the job professionally. And I already own a staple gun for coaxal 8-14mm cables. As a professional, I don't like using my 8mm staples to tack 6mm cable because it looks a little messy (and it especially looks very messy on 4.5mm cables). Surely someone must sell a staple gun for the job of installing network cable in general... for cat5 and cat6 (4.5mm and 6mm). The size of the nose doesn't affect being able to take different size cable... The nose is simply designed to fit the largest staples it uses, the bigger ones for sale for example take 6-14mm round staples. As a professional myself I carry enough tools in my box, I'd rather replace my 8mm (which I have had since I was an aerial and satellite installer) with a gun that takes 4.5-8mm (4.5-6mm would be great also as I don't install coaxal cables anymore), I don't want to be carrying around 3 cable guns!

I also haven't said the price is an issue... but of course, the cheaper the better. I'd rather buy 1 that supports 4.5-6mm that cost £50, than buy 2 seperate ones for 4.5 and 6mm that cost £15 each.

I find it hard to believe that a cable tacker spefically for cat5e and cat6 network cable installers doesn't exist.

[peterb]

I find it hard to believe that a cable tacker spefically for cat5e and cat6 network cable installers doesn't exist.

I would guess that is the suppliers I mentioned earlier (Farnell might be worth looking at) and you can't find one through your trade outlets, they either don't exist (or are very obscure!) I agree though, using too large a staple does look messy, and of course the cable isn't clamped firmly, so it more susceptible to snagging. If you do find one, let us know!

[adamwar]

Try going to the Mills Ltd web site abd search for the ACME 25AC Wiring Tacker (Part No S82-8445)

Adam

[peterb]

Welcome to Hexus and thank you for that - although I hope Andaho has solved the problem by now. However I think the requirement was for something that would do both - I'm not sure how effective the device you quoted would be with CAT5e which is less than 25mm.

Very useful site though.

[jamin]

Mills do staple guns in various sizes and would be my first choice.

Personally I'm not sure I would be stapling cat6 though as the last thing you need is partial shorts to the shield. However I'm used to cable tray cat6 installations though so I might be a bit too cautious.

Edit: Just noticed that this is a major revival!

[russelld]

I agree with Jamin that stapling CatX cable should be done with extreme care.

Not so much for the potential to short the conductors within the outer sheath (I assume you aren't stapling *through* the cable!) but rather, the "crushing" of the CatX cable can cause signal problems, as the very specific twists in the cable can be disrupted.

Having said that, I've never been that gentle with my Cat5e and have never had any problems. However, after persuading my brother-in-law to install Cat5e whilst renovating his new home, I've discovered the builders have been less than gentle and have found many cables with at least one broken conductor out the four... Luckily Ethernet doesn't need all four pairs...

Russell

[peterb]

I agree with Jamin that stapling CatX cable should be done with extreme care.

Not so much for the potential to short the conductors within the outer sheath (I assume you aren't stapling *through* the cable!) but rather, the "crushing" of the CatX cable can cause signal problems, as the very specific twists in the cable can be disrupted.

Having said that, I've never been that gentle with my Cat5e and have never had any problems. However, after persuading my brother-in-law to install Cat5e whilst renovating his new home, I've discovered the builders have been less than gentle and have found many cables with at least one broken conductor out the four... Luckily Ethernet doesn't need all four pairs...

Russell

100baseT doesn't need all four pairs, but 1000baseT (Gigabit) does, so if one conductor is damaged you can't use it for Gigabit (and you will have trouble with 100baseT if one of the active pairs is damaged)

Ideally the cable shouldn't be crushed, but I have just been looking at some cable I installed about 5 years ago (up in my attic) which has been flattened a little in places, tand that link operates quite happily at 1 Gigabit/s. Ideally the cable should be run in trunking or conduit which avoids the problem, but where stapling is iunavoidable, crushing at the staple should obviously be avoided where possible.

[GoNz0]

[russelld]

Ha Ha!

I usually just look at the date & time of the last post...

Should have looked up a bit further to see that it had been lying dormant for a year until a few days ago!!!

Russell

[peterb]

But the update was both relevant and useful (I had spotted it was a revival!)

[jamin]

Any excuse to post pictures of Mr. West in spandex......

[GoNz0]

yup