Network cables, Buy or DIY?

[0iD]

I need a std cat5 crossover cable, abt 15m long. Cheaper to buy or make?
and if cheaper to make... how???

[jon bda]

I tend to buy shorter ones but something that length i would make up...i got my last reel of CAT5 cable from Maplins, £12/£13 iirc for 100m. It'll cost you a few quid to get the cable, plugs and the crimp tools but when you have them you won't need to pay again...and you can charge mates to knock them up custom cables!.

[chuckskull]

Making is cheaper, but if you're a big bloke with big hands (like me). It'll take you about an hour to make one end

[Funkstar]

I alway intend making them, just for the challenge really. But when i need a cable i need it now, so end up buying them or 'borrowing' from work

I think i have all the tools and parts now for making my own, i just need to practice to see if it all works as it should.

I made my own coax in the past (about 10 years ago) now *that* was a pain

[[GSV]Trig]

I just make my own, its £35 for a 305m roll of cable and the ends and boots are pence each, a tester is less than a tenner as is a crimptool....

[awm]

It only makes sense to make them if you plan on making a bunch each year.

[badass]

I'm going to be odd here and recommend you buy the cables ready made. even a 15 meter one is about £5. More normal sizes are a couple of quid.
However if you shoose to make, remember there are 2 types of crimping tool and 2 types of plug and you cant mix and match. Fortunately now most places only supply the same type. Also the cable you get, make sure it is a multi strand core, not single core cable - thats for gonig in walls etc.

[KermitTheFrog]

As you are trying to make a long crossover cable I would suggest a short crossover cable, then connect a female to female connector, and a standard network lead to go the extra distance.

So if you then upgrade to a switch you will already have the long cable, and not have to go out and buy/make another one and have a long crossover cable you'll no longer have a need for.

I've done this, and the performance isn't affect by the number of connectors - I've even connected three sections of cable with connectors, when I had limited cables.

[DavidM]

Definately a lot easier to buy then make

[Steve B]

especially when scan sell them from 37p