BNC connector holder tool - RF Cafe Forums

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ew_jammer

Post subject: BNC connector holder tool

Posted: Mon Sep 28, 2009 2:06 pm

Captain

Joined: Tue Nov 27, 2007 6:14 pm
Posts: 10
Location: Washington, DC

Do you know of a hand tool that slides over the prongs of a bulkhead BNC connector to prevent it from spinning while tightening the mounting nut? In the absence of a D-hole?

I've seen plenty of BNC removal tools, but I don't think these can be used as an anti-rotation tool.

Kirt Blattenberger

Post subject: Re: BNC connector holder tool

Posted: Mon Sep 28, 2009 3:49 pm

Site Admin

Joined: Sun Aug 03, 2003 2:02 pm
Posts: 451
Location: Erie, PA

Greetings ew_jammer:

I've looked for such a tool over the years and have never found one. It's probably because the connector manufacturers don't really want us countering the torque with the relatively fragile bayonet tabs. That, of course, has never stopped me from doing so.

Most of the time I just slide mating connector over the panel mount side of the BNC and the knurl on the mating connector is good enough to crank the mounting nut nice and tight.

When I worked for a company that did satellite earth equipment racks, I took a deep socket (I think it was for a 3/8" hex head) and used a Dremel motor tool with a cutoff wheel to cut opposing notches across the flats (round the edges a bit to keep from marring the bayonets). That allowed easy installation even in tightly spaced panels. You can use either a 1/4" or 3/8" drive socket shaft for it, but I the smaller 1/4" drive socket is easier to modify since it's thinner. Try to find a cheap socket that's made of junkier metal, too, since something like a Snap On or Craftsman will be harder.

Hmmm.... maybe I should set up a manufacturing afcility in my basement to make these. :roll:

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ew_jammer

Post subject: Re: BNC connector holder tool

Posted: Thu Oct 15, 2009 6:03 pm

Captain

Joined: Tue Nov 27, 2007 6:14 pm
Posts: 10
Location: Washington, DC

I found that a 10mm 1/4" drive deep socket does the job pretty well. The socket from Allen is one of those side-grabber socket designs. The socket points are a bit rounded. This fits well over the bayonet tabs.

But most people who have responded have said it is inadvisable to use a tool since the bayonet tabs are rather weak and can easily be sheared off.

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