Tools and parts - online store recommendations?

[PPettit]

Does anyone have any recommendations as to some good online vendors for telecom parts and tools? Sure, I can find a lot of vendors online, but I can't tell if they have a good reputation for pricing, availability, customer service, delivery, etc.

These are the things that I'm looking for at the moment:
1. A butt set for testing our voice lines (analog and digital) and DSL connections at our various offices.
2. Leviton wall plates and ports.

-More computer/network related than telecom but I thought I'd include them as well-

3. Digital multimeter (Fluke preferred).
4. EZ-RJ45 connectors
5. EZ-RJ45 crimper replacement blades

 

[phoneguy55]

How about your local Graybar.

 

[PPettit]

I've never dealt with them before, but I have heard their name for years. I would be nice if I had one in my area, but it looks like the average distance from me is about a 6-hour drive.

I went and checked out their website and was a little disappointed. It really bugs me to have to create a user account just to get a general idea of their pricing.

Thanks for reminding me about them.

 

[skip555]

graybar works on a sliding price structure, volume driven they don't really cut you a break on tools unless your doing a good monthly volume and even then you can usually do better elsewhere .

I buy very few tools from graybar , Home depot/lowes carry everything you mention but fluke DVM

 

[donb01]

I purchase a lot of stuff from Anixter - they are a national company so you should find a contact somewhere near you. They have a pretty broad inventory and you can usually get pricing from the online catalog or have them send you a print catalog for voice products.

Mike Sandman has a number of specialty items he ships out of the Chicago area and some interesting reads on his website.

 

[PERRYPJ]

JENSEN TOOLS, STANLEY BOUGHT THEM. GO TO STANLEY TOOLS WEB SITE

OLD ROLMEN WORKING ON NORTELS

 

[PPettit]

I guess I should have mentioned that we have 2 Home Depot stores and a Lowes within 30 miles of my location. Home Depot is my usual source, but their customer service really sucks and they don't seem to give much attention to telecom/networking products. Also, they're usually out of what I'm looking for. If I remember correctly, I stopped going to Lowe's because they don't carry the Leviton stuff. I think they mostly just carry Panduit products.

Thanks for the suggestions, everyone.

 

[exverizon]

Try a few of these:

http://www.eltasdirect.com/php/d.php?command=section&section=index.html

https://www.tselectronic.com/index.html

http://www.deepsurplus.com/

http://www.web-tronics.com/

Depending on brands you prefer, one or more of these may fit the bill.

 

[SYQUEST]

If you want good pricing on Leviton products check out: onestopbuy.com

All they carry is Leviton, the whole line, both electrical and datacom stuff! Don't have to worry about minimums for stuff that other places won't stock!! Onestopbuy.com drop ships right from Leviton's warehouse.

ADI, now owned by Honeywell, has good prices too, and a respectable line card.

Hope this helps!

....JIM....

 

[jeffmoss26]

I would also vote for Graybar, Anixter, CSC etc.

jeff moss

 

[Duaneness]

Yet another:

http://www.sandman.com

Used this one personally for many years, along with Graybar and Grainger. It was recommended to me by an old AT&T installation tech . . .

- Duanenss

 

[LkEErie]

RE: Leviton

For a minute there, I thought onestopbuy was going to be a cheap place

My best Leviton prices lately have come from Graybar, but occasionally I get them from my local electrical supply house.

LkEErie

 

[PPettit]

Thanks, everyone, for the suggestions. This has given me quite a bit to work with.

 

[grumpyone60]

Black Box Resale Services
My contact is Mike.Johannes@blackbox-vs.com

TelcoSolutions
My contact is sbaker@telco1.com

Telesource
My contact is BMckinnon@tsrc.com

 

[oldtimerbob]

Have you tried Leviton?
They can tell you who carries their products in your area.

You may find a local electrician's supply house that carries what you need too since more and more of their customers are doing the low voltage stuff now. ( as far as the faceplates,jacks and that sort of thing )

Good Luck

Has been in the cabling business for about twenty years and is now the Sr PM for a cabling company located in the Los Angeles area.

http://www.globusinc.net

Also a General Class Amatuer Radio Operator.