DX Engineering DXE-UT-KIT-CC1 User manual

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Coaxial Cable Preparation
Tools for Crimp Connectors
DXE-UT-KIT-CC1-INS-Revision 0a
DX Engineering 2018
1200 Southeast Ave. - Tallmadge, OH 44278 USA
Phone: [phone] Technical Support and International: [phone]
Fax: [phone] E-mail: [email protected]

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Introduction
This guide will explain the preparation of the most popular types of coaxial cable for use with
Crimp Style connectors using the various specialized coaxial cable prep tools manufactured by DX
Engineering.
The complete DX Engineering Coaxial Cable Stripping Tools for Crimp Style Connectors Kit
DXE-UT-KIT-CC1 is the perfect companion for the DX Engineering Ultra-Grip 2 Crimp
Connector Hand Tool Kit - DXE-UT-CRMP2 allowing you to prepare and crimp many styles of
crimp-on connectors and coaxial cables.
These specialized tools were designed by DX Engineering and made in the USA to make the task of
preparing coaxial cable for crimp style connectors easy, fast and safer than older methods. The
cutting blades are automatically aligned in the tools for repeated, precise cutting action.
General Information
DX Engineering Coaxial Cable Stripping Tools for Crimp Style Connectors (drop cutters) provide a
new way to prepare your 50 ohm coax cable for the installation of crimp type connectors. These
handy coax cable strippers work on foam or solid dielectric cables with a precision, 2-step
operation. DX Engineering strippers are made with premium long-lasting cutter blades for clean
coaxial cable preparation.
Coaxial Cable with foil and braid should only use crimp style connectors. This includes LMR-400
and DXE-400MAX coaxial cable. Since the foil is aluminum, it does not lend itself to soldering.
Replacing blades in these tools is easy, the only tool needed is a Phillips screwdriver. The cutting
blades are automatically aligned in the tools for repeated, precise cutting action.
Individual Coaxial Cable Stripping Tools for Crimp Style Connectors
There are four different colored DX Engineering Coaxial Cable Stripping Tools for Crimp Style
Connectors:
DXE-UT-405C-P1 - crimp prep tool
DXE-UT-240C-P1 - crimp prep tool
DXE-UT-405C-N1 - crimp prep tool
DXE-UT-240C-N1 - crimp prep tool

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Warning
The DX Engineering Coaxial Cable Stripping Tools for Crimp Style Connectors have four very
sharp blades fixed in place to make the proper cuts in the coaxial cable. Take care to avoid touching
the blades when working with these tools. They will cut your fingers.
Complete Kit
A complete tool kit is available DXE-UT-KIT-CC1. This kit includes:
DXE-UT-405C-P1 - crimp prep tool
DXE-UT-240C-P1 - crimp prep tool
DXE-UT-405C-N1 - crimp prep tool
DXE-UT-240C-N1 - crimp prep tool
DXE-UT-RB-CC1 10 pack of Spare Cutting Blades
DXE-CGH-8U Coaxial Cable Gripper, Red, for RG-213 sized coaxial cable
DXE-CGH-8X Coaxial Cable Gripper, Green, for 8X sized coaxial cable
CNL-911 Coaxial Cable Shears
DXE-170M Precision Braid Trimmer (may have red or blue handles)
DXE-UT-CC1-CASE Custom Hard Plastic Carry Case with Custom Cut Foam Insert
This kit is convenient, easy to transport and helps keep all of your coaxial cable prep tools for crimp
style connectors in one organized place.

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Connector/Tool/Coax Chart
Coaxial Cable
Preparation
Tool for Crimp
Connectors
DXE-UT-405C-P1
Dark Red
DXE-UT-240C-P1
Spruce Green
DXE-UT-405C-N1
Orange
DXE-UT-240C-N1
Fluorescent Green
Connector Type
PL-259
PL-259
Type N
Type N
BNC
Connector Part Number
DXE-
PL259CS8U
AMP-
182102
AMP-
182130-10
DXE-
PL259CS8X
AMP-
182115-10
AML-
172102
AMP-
172102H243
AMP-
172135
AML-
112533
Use Die DXE-UT-
DIE-8U
DIE-8U
DIE-8U
DIE-8X
DIE-8X
DIE-8U
DIE-8U
DIE-8X
DIE-8X
Hex Crimp Center Pin*
Solder Pin
0.100
0.118
Solder Pin
0.068
0.100
0.118
0.100
0.068
Hex Crimp Ferrule*
0.429
0.429
0.429
0.255
0.255
0.429
0.429
0.255
0.255
Coax Cable Type
DXE-400MAX
XX
XX
XX
DXE-11U
XX
XX
DXE-213U
XX
XX
XX
DXE-8U
XX
XX
XX
DXE-8X
XX
XX
XX
XX
LMR-240
XX
XX
XX
XX
LMR-400
XX
XX
XX
LMR-400 UltraFlex
XX
XX
XX
RG-213
XX
XX
XX
RG-8 with 12-13 AWG
center conductor
XX
XX
XX
RG-8U with 10-11 AWG
center conductor
XX
XX
XX
RG-8X
XX
XX
XX
XX
Davis RF Bury Flex™
XX
XX
XX
Belden 8214
XX
XX
XX
Belden 9913F7
XX
XX
XX
Belden 8237
XX
XX
XX
Belden 8267
XX
XX
XX
Belden 9258
XX
XX
( * dimensions are in inches)

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Using the Coaxial Cable Stripping Tools for Crimp Style Connectors
The following examples show only two of the Coaxial Cable Stripping Tools for Crimp Style
Connectors. The same method is used for all four of the tools.
Coaxial Cable with foil and braid should only use crimp style connectors. This includes LMR-400
and DXE-400MAX coaxial cable. Since the foil is aluminum, it does not lend itself to soldering.
The foil shield that is used on certain types of coaxial cable (LMR-400, DXE-400MAX, etc.) may
adhere to the dielectric more than others. In this case when prepping the coaxial cable, the foil
shield may not come off. This is explained in detail in this procedure.
Most RG-213 type cables with a solid polyethylene dielectric will cut properly using the tool, but
the part that needs to be removed may be strongly adhered to the center conductor(s). Some will
twist off, others may need to be slit to break it loose from the center conductor. Take care to avoid
damaging the center conductor(s). This is explained in detail in this procedure.
Example One: RG-213, LMR-400, DXE-400MAX and other similar
sized coaxial cable
Note that all of the tools use the same technique. This example shows using the Red tool.
1. Make a clean cut using the CNL-911 Coaxial Cable Cutter. Once cut you can also use the
CNL-911 to round out the end of the coaxial cable.
2. Place the coaxial cable in the tool on the end that has the three blades as shown. Use the Cable
Gripper to help hold the coaxial cable. While holding the tools parallel to each other, squeeze
the gripper to hold the coax and squeeze the cutting to make the initial cut in the coax. Rotate
the coax cutter a few turns around the coax while squeezing to make the three cuts complete.

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3. Place the prepped coax cable into the other side of the pre tool that has the single blade. While
gripping and firmly squeezing both the cable gripper and the tool pull the cutter off of the
coaxial cable. This action puts a single length-wise slit in the coaxial cable jacket.
4. Remove the two pieces of the coax jacket on the end to expose the center insulator. Some of
the braid may still be present. Use the DXE-170M Precision Braid Trimmers to cut the braid
even with the second cut as shown.
5. Remove the end piece of the dielectric (see the “Notes about Coaxial Cables” on page 7) and
peel off the last part of the cut jacket to expose the braid. Gently flare it out slightly and install
the crimp style connector under the braid. Ensure the center conductor is straight so it will go
into the center conductor of the connector.
6. Slip the connector onto the coaxial cable under the braid, then slip the coax connector ferrule
into place. Crimp the ferrule and you’re ready to solder the center pin to complete the
installation.

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Notes about Coaxial Cables
Some coaxial cable has a foil shield between the braid and the dielectric such as DXE-400MAX and
LMR-400. The DX Engineering foil is easy to remove while the LMR foil is bonded to the center
dielectric.
When using the DX Engineering DXE-400MAX you can use a sharp knife to gently score the foil
and remove it as shown below.
When using the LMR coaxial cable, the foil will not peel off. Use the DXE-170M Precision Braid
Trimmers to put a slight bevel on the end of the dielectric, which will trim the foil back just a small
distance as shown below.
Most RG-213 type cables with a solid polyethylene dielectric will cut properly using the tool, but
the end part of the dielectric that needs to be removed may be strongly adhered to the center
conductor(s). Some will twist off, others may need to be slit to break it loose from the center
conductor. Take care to avoid damaging the center conductor(s). The photos below show this
method to remove the dielectric without damaging the center conductors.
This example uses pliers to
gently remove the end piece
of the dielectric.
This example shows cutting the dielectric to remove it from the center conductor strands.

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Example Two: DXE-RG8X, LMR-240 and other similar sized coaxial
cable
Note: This example uses the GREEN tool. All of the tools use the similar technique shown.
1. Make a clean cut using the CNL-911 Coaxial Cable Cutter. Once cut you can also use the
CNL-911 to round out the end of the coaxial cable.
2. Place the coaxial cable in the tool on the end that has the three blades as shown. Use the Cable
Gripper to help hold the coaxial cable. While holding the tools parallel to each other, squeeze
the gripper to hold the coax and squeeze the cutting to make the initial cut in the coax. Rotate
the coax cutter a few turns around the coax while squeezing to make the three cuts complete.
3. Place the prepped coax cable into the other side of the pre tool that has the single blade. While
gripping and firmly squeezing both the cable gripper and the tool pull the cutter off of the
coaxial cable. This action puts a single length-wise slit in the coaxial cable jacket.
4. Remove the two pieces of the coax jacket on the end to expose the center insulator. Some of
the braid may still be present. Use the DXE-170M Precision Braid Trimmers to cut the braid
even with the second cut as shown.

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5. Remove the last cut piece of the jacket and slightly flare out the braid. Install the coaxial
connector on the coaxial cable. Ensure the center conductor is straight and the connector is
under the braid as shown below.
Note: Some coaxial cables such as LMR-240 have a foil shield between the braid and the dielectric.
See the “Notes About Coaxial Cables” on page 7 about trimming the foil.
6. Slide the ferrule in place and you are ready to crimp the connector, then you are ready to solder
the center conductor.
Replacing the Cutting Blades
The cutting blades used in the Coaxial Cable Stripping Tools for Crimp Style Connectors are all
the same. If you suspect you are having a problem with a single cutting blade, it can be swapped
with another blade in the tool. Replacement blades are available and come 10 to a pack, part
number DX-UT-RB-CC1.The following instructions can be used for any of the four Coaxial
Cable Stripping Tools for Crimp Style Connectors.
WARNING - The blades are sharp. Be careful
when handling the blades to avoid any injuries.
Dispose of the old blades in a manner that no one
else may get accidently injured by one of the
discarded blades.
Changing the three cutting blades used for making the first cut on the
coaxial cable
1. Using a Phillips screwdriver, remove the Phillips screw holding the three blade retention parts
in place.

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2. Using the small Phillips screwdriver, you can gently push the internal parts loose and remove
the blade retainer parts from the tool.
3. When the retainer parts and blades are laid out, it looks like the picture below. Note: Each of
the retainer parts has a small square and number molded into the part for easier
assembly.
4. Starting with part number 1, insert the alignment pin and the first blade.
Note: The blade will only go in part number 1 one way (this is the same for all of
the blades and the other retainer parts as well).
5. Add part number 2 and a cutting blade to the stack.
6. Add part number 3 and a cutting blade to the stack.
7. Add part 4 to the stack. Gently pick up the stack and place it in the tool. Not the
alignment tab. The stack only goes into the tool one way. Gently push on the
stack to fully seat it in the tool. Be careful - sharp blades!
8. Replace the Phillips screw that held the stack in the tool.