We previously published “The Quick and Dirty Route to Extra-Long Ethernet Cables“, which shows you how to put together your own lengthy network cords on the cheap (and without a crimper). If you do have the right tools and a long spool of Ethernet cable at your disposal, tech blog [Geeks Are Sexy] shows you the right way to make your own Ethernet cables in “Save money: How to make your own Ethernet patch cord“.
Here’s a quick outline of the steps to making your own Ethernet patch cable:
- Strip away the sheath from the end of the cable, exposing the pairs of individual wires inside. Untwist these pairs of wires.
- Arrange the wires in a straight line, in the proper order, and insert them into the plastic RJ-45 connector.
- Use your crimping pliers to join the wires and the connector.
Make sure to read the article for the complete, detailed instructions.
Putting together your own Ethernet cables may be a rather technically-inclined task, but you might think twice about buying pre-assembled cables or hiring someone when you realize the savings involved with the DIY (do it yourself) method. A 10 foot Ethernet cable could cost you around $7 in a retail store, while a homemade version only hits your wallet for $1.20, or 6% of that price, according to [GaS]. Who can argue with those kinds of savings?
The complete set of equipment for this task will cost roughly $60 and so for a single, short cord you’re better off just buying one. But for large jobs like wiring your home, DIY is the way to go.
