CAT5 Network Cable splicing tool

[resnikov]

Just thought I would post this idea I had which seems to work quite well.

I got a load of amsteel and was trying to use a darning needle to to bury the amsteel and was finding it hard going. So I had a look round the house and coudn't find any thing at first.

Then found a metal coat hanger and thought this will work. Then got the caot hanger to the amsteel and saw the size difference Time to find something else.

I'm a sys admin by trade so have lots of computer bits round the house so after some thinking I found my spool of CAT 5 (Network cable) and ran off about 1m of cable and cut it. Then stripped off the out sheath, and sepearted the 4 twisted pairs. Then I separted a single twisted pair and took one of the cables, strightened out the kinks in it and then folded it in half.

I tired this a splicing tool and it worked ok, but the cord did slip out the loop a couple of times. So I put a bit of pvc elcetical tape round the splicing tool about 1.5cm from the end, giving me a decent size loop but keeping the rest of the wire togther. This worked even better.

Hope someone else might get some beifit out of this.

Will post some pics of it later.

[Rikall]

I've been using the same thing for a while now and it gets the job done. It is hard on the hands unless the wrap the loose ends of wire around some kind of toggle and then use the toggle to pull on instead of trying to grip and pull on the wires directly. I also found that this wire isn't very resilient and can break at the most inappropriate moment. Just as well it's cheap and plentiful.

[TheNumberSix]

I use a straight piece of coathanger and scotch tape to make whoopie and loopie slings. It does work well and was around the house. The CAT5 solution is probably even better.

-TN6

[backpackingZombie]

nice idea, i think i have some lengths of that sitting around

[gmcttr]

I have been using welding wire doubled over. I have found the stiffer wire to be easier to work with.

I recently started using a Dritz® Loop Turner suggested by others. This thing is works great! $4 well spent.

[chickenwing]

Just thought I would post this idea I had which seems to work quite well.

I got a load of amsteel and was trying to use a darning needle to to bury the amsteel and was finding it hard going. So I had a look round the house and coudn't find any thing at first.

Then found a metal coat hanger and thought this will work. Then got the caot hanger to the amsteel and saw the size difference Time to find something else.

I'm a sys admin by trade so have lots of computer bits round the house so after some thinking I found my spool of CAT 5 (Network cable) and ran off about 1m of cable and cut it. Then stripped off the out sheath, and sepearted the 4 twisted pairs. Then I separted a single twisted pair and took one of the cables, strightened out the kinks in it and then folded it in half.

I tired this a splicing tool and it worked ok, but the cord did slip out the loop a couple of times. So I put a bit of pvc elcetical tape round the splicing tool about 1.5cm from the end, giving me a decent size loop but keeping the rest of the wire togther. This worked even better.

Hope someone else might get some beifit out of this.

Will post some pics of it later.

I really like this idea. I have been using floral stem wire to make my slings and sometimes get frustrated that the bury length is just a little to long for my piece of folded over wire. I like the thought of being able to make a longer 'fid'.

[mikewithe]

I use a number 6 knitting needle that I picked up at the local wallyworld for 4 bucks. Modern aluminum knitting needles are long hollow tubes designed to not snag. I just cut it to about 5 inches long measuring from the pointy end. This is basically just a fid.

If you end up buying a solid needle it will still work. In either case (hollow or not) You'll need to butt the amsteel and the needle together and wrap with electrical tape being sure not to cause any rough patches which will get snagged on the amsteel fibers.

I found that when doing long splices it was easier to tape the working end to the fid first and when the working end was short to insert the fid first and then tape it.

[Lonely Raven]

I've used most of the recommendations above, and I find that a guitar string suits me the best.

[tygr]

I've found that florist's wire works great.

[Shewie]

Great idea mate

Network cable is something I have plenty of