DIY coax tightening tool

[Lee60]

I've been fiddling with a bunch of switches as of late. My multi switches outputs are way to close together for my ol' fingers. I bought a $10 tool on amazon and it was awful. Returned it. So I scrounged around in my tool boxes and came up with four 7/16" deep sockets. One 12 point worked best allowing the coax connector to seat all the way down.
So today I grabbed my angle grinder and a new cut off disc and went at it. Deburred with a couple files. The grinder got away from me and made a mark near the base or I would have called it perfect. Anyway it works great. Has anyone else made one of these?

As you can tell I love making stuff!

 

[KE4EST]

That is pretty good! I like thinking like that! Necessity is truly the mother of invention!

 

[Lee60]

That is pretty good! I like thinking like that! Necessity is truly the mother of invention!

Thank you for the kind words. Gotta keep the ol' brain exercised.

 

[jorgek]

An open end 7/16" wrench woks well for me!

 

[Lee60]

An open end 7/16" wrench woks well for me!

A 7/16 wrench works fine if you have room for it to fit. Nearly impossible to use on my Zinwell 8 output switch. Same for my 4 output Geosat LNBF

 

[WhiteBeard]

I've been fiddling with a bunch of switches as of late. My multi switches outputs are way to close together for my ol' fingers. I bought a $10 tool on amazon and it was awful. Returned it. So I scrounged around in my tool boxes and came up with four 7/16" deep sockets. One 12 point worked best allowing the coax connector to seat all the way down.
So today I grabbed my angle grinder and a new cut off disc and went at it. Deburred with a couple files. The grinder got away from me and made a mark near the base or I would have called it perfect. Anyway it works great. Has anyone else made one of these?View attachment 162796View attachment 162797
As you can tell I love making stuff!

I believe there are factory built tools like that already.

Amazon product ASIN B01DU2TAI2
View: https://www.amazon.com/BXQINLENX-Professional-Extraction-Surveillance-Screwdriver/dp/B01DU2TAI2/ref=sr_1_5?crid=3QR7FMIZNZID5&keywords=f-59+connector+installation+tool&qid=1686861152&sprefix=f-59+connector+installation+tool%2Caps%2C121&sr=8-5

 

[FTA4PA]

Yes there are. I use this one.

Amazon product ASIN B006C4BSU4
View: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006C4BSU4

 

[Lee60]

I believe there are factory built tools like that already.

Amazon product ASIN B01DU2TAI2
View: https://www.amazon.com/BXQINLENX-Professional-Extraction-Surveillance-Screwdriver/dp/B01DU2TAI2/ref=sr_1_5?crid=3QR7FMIZNZID5&keywords=f-59+connector+installation+tool&qid=1686861152&sprefix=f-59+connector+installation+tool%2Caps%2C121&sr=8-5

You are correct. I bought a different version than the one you linked. Also from amazon. Unfortunately it was not only poorly made you had to force it onto the connector. So I returned it the same day it arrived. My tool is way beefier.
I had considered applying skate board type tape but I think a snug connector is as tight as you should go to avoid damage.

 

[Lee60]

Yes there are. I use this one.

View attachment 162814

Amazon product ASIN B006C4BSU4
View: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006C4BSU4

That's very similar to the one I bought. Yours was $2 more. Glad to hear yours works properly.

 

[FTA4PA]

That's very similar to the one I bought. Yours was $2 more. Glad to hear yours works properly.

Yep, it works fine but there is nothing like making your own. Nice work!

 

[Lee60]

Yep, it works fine but there is nothing like making your own. Nice work!

A win-win. Two things I like to do combined. Build stuff and FTA.
Thank you for the kind words!

Added plus: maybe this thread will show others that there is another way to screw those connectors on.

 

[Ziptied]

I've been using this type for years. I like it alot.

 

[Lee60]

I've been using this type for years. I like it alot.View attachment 162833

That one looks very interesting.
Just did a google image search and I see it is available on ebay. Thanks for posting your tool!!

 

[NYDutch]

I've been fiddling with a bunch of switches as of late. My multi switches outputs are way to close together for my ol' fingers. I bought a $10 tool on amazon and it was awful. Returned it. So I scrounged around in my tool boxes and came up with four 7/16" deep sockets. One 12 point worked best allowing the coax connector to seat all the way down.
So today I grabbed my angle grinder and a new cut off disc and went at it. Deburred with a couple files. The grinder got away from me and made a mark near the base or I would have called it perfect. Anyway it works great. Has anyone else made one of these?View attachment 162796View attachment 162797
As you can tell I love making stuff!

Nice! If I had a lathe or at least a course file, I think I would try to knurl the outer surface for a better grip. That might just be my arthritic hands talking though.

 

[RimaNTSS]

This is the tool I made many moons ago. It fits for purpose perfectly.

 

[Lee60]

This is the tool I made many moons ago. It fits for purpose perfectly. View attachment 162839

I like it! Very nice. DIY at it's best