Homemade Wooden Coax Compression Fitting Tool

by Greenish Apple

26K4112

Intro: Homemade Wooden Coax Compression Fitting Tool

Here is my Homemade Wooden Coax Compression Fitting Tool. I needed a Compression Fitting Tool to make my own cables but I did not want to pay $10-35 and I wanted to see if I could make my own. This tool is inexpensive and portable.

My project was inspired by another Instructable: https://www.instructables.com/id/HOWTO-Compression-Connectors/.

STEP 1: Supplies & Tools

SUPPLIES:
3/4 inch hardwood
Coax coupler
Washer (Metal or Plastic)
J-B Weld (super strong two-part epoxy)
Caulking gun

TOOLS:
Drill (not shown)
Hole-saw blade (1 3/4", to fit the body of the caulking gun)
Drill bits (1/4", 3/8" & 5/16")
Wood file
Metal file
Bench vise (not shown, to hold disc & washer while cutting slots)

In the picture:
Top row - Hole saw blade, drill bits (1/4", 5/16", 3/8"), metal file, rat-tail file, metal saw, coping saw
Bottom left - J B Weld

STEP 2: Cutting the Holder and Pusher

I put a 1 3/4" hole-saw blade in my drill and cut two discs from 3/4" hardwood; plywood or particle board would be OK too. If you don't have a hole-saw blade you can cut little octagons (stop signs).

I then sanded down both pieces.

STEP 3: Making the Holder

For the Holder (left in the picture) I expanded the initial hole with a 3/8" drill bit and a rat-tail file until I could fit a Coax coupler snugly (or you can hammer it in). I secured it with some J-B Weld.

The second picture shows a dual coupler with wallplate I got at a dollar store.

STEP 4: Making the Pusher

For the Pusher (right in the picture) I expanded the initial hole with a 1/4" drill bit and the rat-tail file, then I cut a slot with a coping saw and used a wood file to clear the path until a Coax cable could slide in snugly.

After the first use I noticed that the blue collar was leaving a mark in the wood so I added a metal washer. I cut a slot in it to match the wood, cleaned up with a metal file. Held on with J-B Weld too.

STEP 5: Using the Homemade Wooden Coax Compression Fitting Tool

USE:
1) Cut Coax wire with Flush Cutters
2) Strip the Coax wire
3) Slip the Compression fitting on the wire
4) Screw the fitting onto the Holder (coupler, Picture #1)
5) Slip the Pusher on the wire up to the end of the fitting (Picture #2)
6) Put the whole assembly into a Caulking Gun (Picture #3)
7) Squeeze the Caulking Gun handle until the fitting is fully 'compressed'
8) Admire the fitting (Picture #4)

11 Comments

Chart63 3 years ago

I think this is very cool and I needed it and I making it right now and we’re going to see if it worked really good!

Greenish Apple 3 years ago

Cool. It works well with a strong caulking gun, cheap ones (like most I have) deform the pusher plate that goes into the caulk tube. So it is good for a few connectors, which is all I need.

partos 8 years ago

A big thank you! Saved me from having to buy a $20-30 tool to replace one connector. Worked like a charm!

smokeandlights 11 years ago

Nicely done! you could also make additional pusher blocks to accommodate RG11, etc.

LifeWarrior 11 years ago

Very cool, I like making my own tools too! Unfortunately I had bought one of these long before you made this. Great job!

epierce 11 years ago

This is a great Idea if your in a pinch! My engineering staff has a tendency to lose the compression tool for this and they are expensive. If I put a big chain on this and paint it hot pink maybe they will keep it around!!