recommendation for bulk stranded cable

[Pants]

I need bulk stranded Cat5e cable. I know they typically come in 1000 ft. But if they come shorter, that would be a +, to save money.

Please recommend a good brand as cheap as possible.

 

[Markverhyden]

Why in the world did you buy bulk stranded. That's only for patch cables.

 

[Pants]

Yah, I know. That's what it's going to be used for.

 

[nlinecomputers]

Why? You can get pre made patch cables for few dollars and you mark them up 20 fold.

 

[altrenda]

At a place like monoprice, 1000 ft including shipping and tax to California is a little under $100.
But look at the prices for pre-made cable and you don't really save that much to make it worth the time or effort.
http://www.monoprice.com/Category?c_id=102&cp_id=10208

 

[Pants]

Why? You can get pre made patch cables for few dollars and you mark them up 20 fold.

As in be a reseller of them? If I ever get into reselling, it's not going to be for a while. I don't want the overhead work right now. Want to keep it as simple as possible for a while. I'll FINALLY be starting late July or Early August. FINALLY!!! ...after 700 questions to Technibble.

Besides, I have't made any network cables since 2007 when I worked for my colleges in-house IT staff. I want to keep my practice up. I'm going to be getting some crimpers and rj-45s too. I COULD keep a few made while at home, so I don't have to waste time making them on-site. I like the idea of being able to make any type of cable I want..ie Straight, cross over, at any needed length.

 

[Pants]

At a place like monoprice, 1000 ft including shipping and tax to California is a little under $100.
But look at the prices for pre-made cable and you don't really save that much to make it worth the time or effort.
http://www.monoprice.com/Category?c_id=102&cp_id=10208

Thanks for the recommendation!

 

[Markverhyden]

It's amazing how many apparently do not place a value on their time (nothing personal)

Let's do the math (using round numbers)
6' cables - 1000' = 166 cables (assuming no waste)
2 rj45 per cable. = 332 connectors (remember they have to be for stranded)

$100 for cable.
$65 for connectors.
Total materials (assuming no waste)

Lets say one can maker 40 cables per hour (most likely a bit less though) = 4.15 hours. Your rate is $85/hour. Labor cost is 352.75 = for a grand total 517.65. So you per cable cost is $3.12 and it's probably higher since I doubt someone can make 40/hour. Also they are not tested and do not have snagless shrouds. You can by them in bulk, say 100+, for $1.50 or less.

 

[Pants]

I can't believe how cheap they are at Monoprice. Ok, I've been sold on the idea. I'll use premade cables.

 

[bigdessert]

My favorite: Mohawk

 

[nlinecomputers]

I can't believe how cheap they are at Monoprice. Ok, I've been sold on the idea. I'll use premade cables.

Exactly. Buy them for a $1.50 and then sell them for $15.00. And you will still be cheaper than Best Buy.

 

[nlinecomputers]

The only time I crimp a cable is if for some reason I am on site and broke a cable and it is too long to replace or I've screwed up and sold out.

Crimping cables is for the birds.

 

[gikstar]

Is it a waste of time to make your own cables?... definitely, except when you have to run the wire yourself, say for an addition drop over a dropped ceiling.

Most under the desk or at-the-rack cables should be purchased.
Making 48 1' cables for your server rack would really be a waste of time

 

[nlinecomputers]

Even that should be terminated with a Keystone jack wall plate or biscuit box.

 

[nlinecomputers]

As in be a reseller of them? If I ever get into reselling, it's not going to be for a while. I don't want the overhead work right now. Want to keep it as simple as possible for a while. I'll FINALLY be starting late July or Early August. FINALLY!!! ...after 700 questions to Technibble.

Besides, I have't made any network cables since 2007 when I worked for my colleges in-house IT staff. I want to keep my practice up. I'm going to be getting some crimpers and rj-45s too. I COULD keep a few made while at home, so I don't have to waste time making them on-site. I like the idea of being able to make any type of cable I want..ie Straight, cross over, at any needed length.

You are going to have to carry some parts or you'll be worthless as a tech. You need a few cables. Patch cables, USB cables, a NIC, a video card, a hard drive, and a DVD rw drive.

 

[Pants]

You are going to have to carry some parts or you'll be worthless as a tech. You need a few cables. Patch cables, USB cables, a NIC, a video card, a hard drive, and a DVD rw drive.

Yah I've already got parts to use for swapping and troubleshooting...and they'll even be loaned on occasion if necessary. Cables are another matter though.. I can buy those cheap and resell them without needing a reseller permit (and dealing with the administrative overhead of it)...that I know, now.

 

[Mercenary Roadie]

Yah I've already got parts to use for swapping and troubleshooting...and they'll even be loaned on occasion if necessary. Cables are another matter though.. I can buy those cheap and resell them without needing a reseller permit (and dealing with the administrative overhead of it)...that I know, now.

Where did you get that idea?

If you are doing any type of reselling, you need a Seller's Permit from the state.

In California you are required to collect sales and use taxes on anything you resell unless you have paid sales and use tax on it when you bought it. This only applies if you sale it for more than you paid for it.

If you are selling them for just your cost. WHY? There is more to your cost than just the price you pay for it, so in reality you are selling it at a loss.

 

[Pants]

Where did you get that idea?

If you are doing any type of reselling, you need a Seller's Permit from the state.

In California you are required to collect sales and use taxes on anything you resell unless you have paid sales and use tax on it when you bought it. This only applies if you sale it for more than you paid for it.

If you are selling them for just your cost. WHY? There is more to your cost than just the price you pay for it, so in reality you are selling it at a loss.

I thought I only had to have a seller's permit for reselling stuff bought from wholesalers.

Well if I need a seller's permit just to sell patch cables at higher prices than what I bought them, that won't be a big deal...administratively. They're just patch cables and I probably won't sell too many of them. Thanks for bringing that to my attention.

What I'm confused about, however, if that if I buy patch cables from Monoprice, paying sales tax on them, and then sell them at higher price, what tax do I collect on them from the client? Use tax? (sales tax will already have been paid...I guess)

 

[Mercenary Roadie]

I thought I only had to have a seller's permit for reselling stuff bought from wholesalers.

Well if I need a seller's permit just to sell patch cables at higher prices than what I bought them, that won't be a big deal...administratively. They're just patch cables and I probably won't sell too many of them. Thanks for bringing that to my attention.

What I'm confused about, however, if that if I buy patch cables from Monoprice, paying sales tax on them, and then sell them at higher price, what tax do I collect on them from the client? Use tax? (sales tax will already have been paid...I guess)

Go here and learn what you need to know.

http://www.boe.ca.gov/

 

[Martyn]

If you're making cables make sure you're good at them. I've seen too many problems where hand made cables have caused issues. I remember when networks were upgrading switches from 100mbs to Gigabit over a weekend only to have issues on the Monday. Cause? Badly made cables crimped incorrectly but working fine until they went gigabit. I went on a cabling course about 3 years ago because I thought I would get into that as well as what I do. There were a group of techs there from one company who it turned out had already installed lot of cables incorrectly and when the instructor was telling them different things they were glancing at each other realising things were wrong.