The cable crimping tool is used to secure the joining between the cable and the connector. The crimping tool squeezes the cable in to link firmly with the connection without damaging any of the inner wiring. Using a hammer and chisel or a pair of pliers to do the job will result in damaged wires.

To use the cable crimping tool cut your coax cable to the required length with a wire cutter. Make the cut a bit longer than you estimate you need to ensure that it does not turn out to be too short. Strip your coaxial cable with a cable stripper and ensure that you take the stripper right around to remove all insulation. Pull off the end and find the inner copper wire and the aluminum foil. Put your crimping tool over the coaxial cable and push the wire into the connector. Press the crimping tool hard. The connecter end will compress the wire within it. Once you remove the crimper, pull at the cable to test that it is secured. A good tip is to buy a good quality cable crimping tool as the cheaper ones may damage your coax cable.

There are many cable crimping tools on the market such as the Platinum Tools F Connector Compression Crimp Tool which retails around $25. It is combination of steel and chrome and has excellent compression and designed for regular use. The GEM Electronics Compression Crimp Tool
retails around $54. It not only allows you to crimp compression seal connectors but also has an adapter so that you can crimp RCA connectors. The Amphenol Hex Crimp Tool retails around $69. This tool has six different dies. The crimper is designed mainly for Amphenol connectors. These crimpers can all be purchased online.

An alternative to crimping is soldering which is not as easy and takes much more time to do. Besides for a soldering iron you also need soldering wire so it is not cheap either. If you need to connect up coaxial cables on a regular basis I would recommend the purchase of a cable crimping tool. They not only save you time but they save you money. Should you use the wrong tool you are more likely to damage your coaxial cable. Coaxial cables are expensive and timely to reinstall. Ensure that you invest in a quality coaxial cable crimping tool as cheap versions may do more damage than good.