Title:  Do-it-yoruself network/internet cables

Purpose:  The purpose of this guide is to instruct the user how to make their own network/internet cables using the EIA/TIA T568B standard for cabling.  This cable is typically called a patch cable, straight through cable or ethernet/network cable.   

Tools:

1.  Crimping Tool

2.  RJ-45 Connector

3.  Cat5 or Cat5e cable (preferably solid, not stranded)

Instructions:

1.  Most crimping tools have two blades:  one designed to cut the wire completely and the other to strip the cable jacket.  Use the striping blade, strip the cable jacket approximately 1 inch back so that all the wires are exposed.  A good rule of thumb is to do just that, use your thumb to measure.  The stripped part should be about a long as your thumbnail.  Be careful not to cut the inside wires as they are quite thin.

2.  With the cable jacket removed, there will be eight wires and possible a string.  Cut the string and untwist the wires.

3.  Fan the wires out from left to right in the order they are to be crimped.  See figure below.

4.  Grasp the wires between your fingers, thumb and pointer finger, and flatten out the wires to remove the curliness.   Ensure that the wires are flat and close together and keep them in order.

5.  While holding the wires firmly, cut off about half of the wires so they are all the same length using the cutter blade on the crimper. 

6.  Slide the RJ-45 connector onto the wires slowly, making sure the wires stay lined up.  The tab on the RJ-45 connector should be on the "bottom" of the RJ-45 so that you can see the wires.  The goal is to push the wire in until it reaches the end of the slot and so that the cable jacket reaches just inside the crimp point of the RJ-45 connector.  If the jacket doesn't reach far enough inside then cut the wires a little bit more.  Remember, its easier to cut more off than it is to start over so make small snips.  If all of the wires do not reach the end of the connector, re-clip them to make them straight and even.   

7.  Verify that all of the wires are in the correct order and then place into the crimping tool.  I would put some force on the Cat5 cable after you insert the RJ-45 into the crimping tool so that it keeps the wires "tight" in the RJ-45.  Then crimp. 

8.  Verify that all the wires are still at the end of the RJ-45 and that the cable jacket is inside the crimp point.

9.  Repeat same instructions on other side of cable.