Old timer told me to always carry a spare coax barrel connector, and it saved my job yesterday

I was finishing a triple-play install in a tight attic crawlspace, and I dropped my last F-81 connector down a wall void. I remembered what a retired installer named Frank told me during my first month: 'Keep a spare barrel in your pocket, kid. It's cheaper than a trip back to the truck.' I had one in my pouch, used it to join the two cable ends right there, and got the signal check to pass. Without it, I would have been climbing down, walking back to the van, and climbing up again, adding at least 25 minutes to a job that was already running late. What other small, cheap parts do you guys always make sure to have on you?

2 comments

2 Comments

the_river10d ago

That "cheaper than a trip back to the truck" line is so true. I always keep a few wire nuts and short pieces of scrap wire in my bag. You can make a temporary splice for almost anything with that, which has saved me more times than I can count.

the_logan9d ago

Yeah that's smart, @the_river. Just a heads up though, wire nuts aren't really meant for stranded wire, they can work loose. For a temp fix in a bag, I'd throw in some Wago 221s instead.