RIght angle SMA plug end cap compression tool

[rongard]

Hello

Could somebody suggest or reference me to a tool which is meant for pressing in the end cap for right angle SMA plug. I'v searched the net pretty thoroughly, but it would seem that such a tool does not exist, but I'm pretty sure that not everybody installs the end cap like I do at the moment - with hammer and a large hex drive.

[bjcuizon]

"End cap"....you mean like this?
https://www.google.co.nz/search?q=sma+end+cap&client=tablet-android-samsung&prmd=imvn&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiPgYjW5Z3WAhWBXLwKHU-VC4wQ_AUIESgB&biw=600&bih=1024

[nali]

I think he means the small press-in disc like the one at the bottom of the photo below. I don't know what they're called either, but wouldn't mind finding a tool to do the same - if they're not too expensive.

[bjcuizon]

Ohh,  ok. So he means the "sleeve" of the connector. I think you would use a crimper for that.

[nali]

Can't speak for the OP, but I was talking about the small disc bottom middle of photo, not the cylindrical sleeve. You know, the one that goes pinggg! somewhere the other side of the room when you try to press it in with the wrong tool....

[bjcuizon]

Oops sorry. That might be really the end cap meant by the OP. Looks like it needs a really special tool.

[rongard]

Yes, I meant the small disk that goes at the end of the connector.

[DTJ]

I don't know what the correct tool is but maybe look at a cheap arbor press.

https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/81DaaaifQBL._SL1500_.jpg


Over time you end up making tools for cutting wire & heat shrink to length, assembling IDC ribbon connectors, crimping lugs etc etc.
A small one is around $80 new.

[edpalmer42]

I've only done a few of those, but the tool for me is a small vise.  I wouldn't use a hammer.

Ed

[BradC]

I've only done a few of those, but the tool for me is a small vise.  I wouldn't use a hammer.

I use both. Connector body in the vice and a quick pop with a calibrated hammer and punch to seat the disc.

[rongard]

Vise probably suits better alltough I haven't used it, but if there really isn't a special tool for this then probably will have to. The problem with hammering is that the plug seems to get little bit of damage as the threaded cup on some of the plugs has come of when tightening the connectors little bit with a small wrench (i'm not being a hulk on those connectors, just a little force).

With vise I think there might be a similar problem as the force is still applied on the threaded cup aswell when pressing in the cap. I was wondering if there is a tool that would avoid prssure on the threaded cup e.g with some "fork" where you would mount the connector and then press in the cap. I know there is a tool like that for MMCX r/a:

https://www.alliedelec.com/johnson-cinch-connectivity-solutions-141-0000-910/70090573/

[BradC]

With vise I think there might be a similar problem as the force is still applied on the threaded cup aswell when pressing in the cap. I was wondering if there is a tool that would avoid prssure on the threaded cup

That's why I use the hammer and punch. Put the body of the connector in the vice and pop the cap in with the punch. It takes very little force and with the right sized punch it's a hole in one.

[rongard]

Okay, I see. Pretty clever. Still, it seems pretty time consuming. I bet a specially designed tool would do the job 2-3 times faster.

[BradC]

Okay, I see. Pretty clever. Still, it seems pretty time consuming. I bet a specially designed tool would do the job 2-3 times faster.

I have no doubt. My experience with stuff like that though is the tool is probably worth more than I've ever spent on SMA & BNC connectors combined (and I've done a few).

[edpalmer42]

The reason I like the vise is that it applies the least amount of force required to push the cap into place.  The hammer applies a shock load that's probably many times higher than required.  This shock load seems much more likely to damage the connector.

Ed

[bjcuizon]

Okay, I see. Pretty clever. Still, it seems pretty time consuming. I bet a specially designed tool would do the job 2-3 times faster.

I have no doubt. My experience with stuff like that though is the tool is probably worth more than I've ever spent on SMA & BNC connectors combined (and I've done a few).

I will only buy the tool if its like cheap and of course not that high quality because it is only used like once in a blue moon. Its not like side cutters or wire strippers that get used everyday.

[Omikron]

Necrothread, I know, but since Google queries link to this thread, I figured I'd help folks out:

https://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/cinch-connectivity-solutions-johnson/141-0000-910/J10221-ND/4462148

[DTJ]

Neat little tool Omikron.