Attaching a PL-259 crimp & solder connector from DX Engineering - Long Version

This video shows attaching a DX Engineering PL-259 crimp & solder connector, using the DX Engineering cable stripper and gripper. If you would rather watch a short time-lapse with no commentary, check out the short version: • Attaching a PL-259 cri...
Links (some are affiliate links):
- DX Engineering crimp & solder PL259 connector: www.dxengineering.com/parts/d...
- DX Engineering cable stripper: www.dxengineering.com/parts/d...
- DX Engineering cable gripper: www.dxengineering.com/parts/d...
- Bury-flex coax by Davis RF: www.amateurradiosupplies.com/...
- Coax cutters: www.amateurradiosupplies.com/...
- Heavy wire cutters: amzn.to/3gAClHZ
- Crimper for Anderson power poles: amzn.to/3APFQAW
- Crimper die set for LMR-400: www.amateurradiosupplies.com/...
Note that the crimper that I use in the video was purchased with dies for Anderson power pole connectors. I simply replaced the dies with ones that I bought for LMR-400 type coax. I mistakenly said in the video that I bought this crimper for coax and also bought dies for Anderson power poles. It was actually the other way around. I bought it for Anderson power poles, and later bought dies for coax. Long story short, I highly recommend this crimper because of the great leverage that is provided by the long handles.
----
The MostlyBuilds channel is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.

[@scamsuncensored7740]

He's a very organized individual. Nice job.

[@Klaatu-ij9uz]

I like your fume-extractor set-up. I've been sucking solder fumes for years....!

[@MostlyBuilds]

Thanks! If I didn’t have a window nearby to vent out of then I probably would try one of those little desktop carbon fume extractors like this: amzn.to/42DMkja While looking that up I noticed the more expensive ones that have a nice hose that you can position are cheaper than I remember: amzn.to/3SBXdxi

[@MrTommy001]

@@MostlyBuilds The first filter fan at about $40 is plenty. The next one for almost $300 is OVER THE TOP!

[@MrTommy001]

Great video. I just got my DX delivery today. Tomorrow is my 'cable shortening' project day and this video makes me think tomorrow will go swimmingly. Thanks for taking the time to make this video. Added the next day: Man, crimping for this 78-year-old is a BEAR! I barely have enough grip strength to make it happen. I have to lean over and use grip plus tummy to squeeze these things. Then, I had to put the crimper in a vice for the final squeeze to unlock the thing! I hope things improve because I've got several cables to shorten. Maybe I'll just start OFF using the vice.

[@MostlyBuilds]

Thanks! Best of luck with the project!

[@janiceemery2008]

Love the video, just what needed. I do need to get a crimper. Thank you for sharing.

[@MostlyBuilds]

Thanks so much! Best of luck!

[@BretChilcott]

Awesome video. Thank you for sharing your knowledge. Bret C / AC0AE

[@MostlyBuilds]

Thanks Bret! I’m working on a video for putting connectors on RG6Q cable as well. If that sounds interesting please consider subscribing 😀

[@Klaatu-ij9uz]

GREAT tutorial!!

[@geneschroedertech7501]

Very nicely done. I first found the short version of this video - there is so much more useful information in this one. Would the larger cable cutter have worked as well as the smaller one, such that you wouldn't have needed to have both cutters?

[@MostlyBuilds]

Thanks! The larger cutter would have worked. It isn’t quite as sharp as the smaller cutter. I prefer the smaller + sharper cutter that I used. You don’t really need the larger cutter since you could reshape the end of the cable by pressing it against your table with something hard. I just use the larger one to reshape it because I already had it for cutting 4 awg ground wire. Another cutter that looks interesting that I haven’t tried is this one: theantennafarm.com/shop-by-categories/coaxial-cable/tools-accessories/coaxial-cable-accessories-50-ohm-radio/1629-other-coax-cable-tools/7369-times-microwave-cct-02-detail This one is interesting because you lightly pinch it against the cable and spin it around so you slice it evenly from all sides, instead of chopping through it and squishing it like I did.

[@N4EJM]

My problem I’m having is the hole on the inside of the connector is too small for the braided center connector. Now I’m having to buy some new ones. 😡 Hopefully the solder ones will work.

[@user-rd3wq2st6r]

I have found that the center conductor always bends and then You have all kinds of bent strands of wire causing a short. You have to pre-tin the center conductor to keep them together and then with a Dremmel grinding wheel carefully grind off the center conductor just enough for the center conductor to fit in that pin. It took me a while to figure it out but once I did, I can now install PL259's of any manufacturer that look good and also work great.

[@MostlyBuilds]

@user-rd3wq2st6r that sounds like a reasonable solution. If using leaded solder I personally would probably avoid any sort of grinding that will create dust. I haven’t had this experience using Davis Buryflex and the DX eng connectors from the video. I’m able to slide the center conductor into the center pin on the connector without the individual strands being disturbed. I guess your mileage varies depending on the cable brand?

[@ChristiannTyler]

Seeing as I don’t have the prep tool can you give some instruction regarding how much to strip off before install these connectors?

[@MostlyBuilds]

If you have this same DX Engineering connector, the product page for it has a cuts guide that gives the dimensions (under Documentation -> Charts & Guides -> Crimp Cuts Spec Chart). Here is a direct link: static.dxengineering.com/global/images/chartsguides/d/dxe-ut-kit-cc1_ve.pdf

[@AlvinMcManus]

I wish you guys would do a video with the RG8X or 240.

[@MostlyBuilds]

I don’t have any on hand but if I ever do I’ll keep in mind that a video would be useful. The procedure should be the same though. DX engineering sells a green colored stripping tool and the same style connectors: www.dxengineering.com/parts/dxe-ut-240c-p1 www.dxengineering.com/parts/dxe-pl259cs8x-12

[@extra330sc]

Where’s the link for the tools you used? Not finding that.

[@MostlyBuilds]

Everything is listed in the description below the video. You just need to expand it.

[@treimers95]

Nicely done. What is up with the fad of everyone wearing black gloves to do everything? Mechanics I get doing that, but half the cooking channels do it (and it actually isn't allowed in most commercial kitchens by chefs and food inspectors).. Why does everyone feel like gloves are necessary unless you're doing something where skin contact is bad, or it's messy and hard to wash off ??

[@MostlyBuilds]

No glove no love! 😀

[@MrTommy001]

I think it's all about 'being cool'. The black gloves at Harbor Freight are a lot thicker and sturdier. I met a lady in line there who was buying the black gloves for her bee-keeping hobby. She said the bees couldn't sting her through them.

[@MostlyBuilds]

Thanks for the tip! I’ll check them out

[@exploringearth3223]

nice job taught me alot thank you.

[@MostlyBuilds]

Glad you found it useful. Please consider subscribing if you want to see more as the channel grows 😀