Appreciation post: That old trick with the coaxial barrel connector in tight spaces

Back when I was working a lot of old apartment jobs in Chicago, I kept getting stuck trying to replace connectors in these cramped utility closets... my crimper just wouldn't fit. An old-timer on the crew showed me how to pre-crimp the connector onto a 6-inch scrap of cable on the bench, then just screw it onto the wall plate line. Saved me so much time and skinned knuckles on those 90s-era builds. Anyone have a different go-to for those impossible spots?

3 comments

3 Comments

henderson.mason1mo ago

Ever try a right-angle adapter as a permanent fix? I had a spot behind an old entertainment center where the straight connector kept getting bent. Popped one of those on the wall plate and ran a short patch cable to the TV. It basically moved the stress point away from the wall.

wendy_mason868d ago

My buddy Mike tried that trick in his basement setup. He runs a small home theater business on the side and had this one job where the customer's entertainment center was built into a tight alcove. The straight connector kept popping off every time they pushed the TV back. He slapped a right-angle adapter on there and it's been solid for like three years now. Said it saved him a whole lot of headache versus trying to re-terminate the cable in that cramped space.

lily_schmidt531mo ago

Honestly I always thought those were a cheap band-aid fix but your idea actually makes a lot of sense.