which punchdown tool should I buy?

[mattkime]

Recommendations range from scammy link farms to electricians debating which $60 model they should get. Whats your experience?

[NewtonMP2100]

....what about....punchYourLightsOut.....tool.....??

[clay]

When doing my house, I just used the freebie that came with the monoprice patch panel. Like this one: https://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=7253

(see 5th photo in gallery, it's that yellow thing). I'm sure you could buy a nicer one, but it worked just fine for several dozen punchdowns.

[ztirffritz]

I purchased the one offered on the shelf at HomeDepot. I worked in IT for 10+ years doing PBX maintenance/configuration and networking. That tool is still in my tool bag. The brand is 'ideal'. Looking at the link below, I don't believe that I paid anywhere near the current $55. I think I paid around $20, but then again, that was 15 years ago...



https://www.homedepot.com/p/Ideal-Punchd.../203761571

[bazookaman]

I bought this one...https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B0000AZK4D/

I also borrowed one of these from work but found it too large to wield effectively.

[3d]

Just borrow one from a friend/coworker.
There's always that guy.

[Filliam H. Muffman]

What ztirffritz said. I was using something that looked like the Ideal model when I was installing phone and alarm lines 25 years ago. It was in the tech toolkit when I took over the job but I don't remember which brand, it could have been the Klein for $34. https://www.homedepot.com/p/Klein-Tools-.../203578639 It was the model to buy if you were expecting to do a few hundred connections per month.

[mikebw]

Tools are for fools, just use your fingernails! miley-signs003:

But seriously, I have done more than a few dozen jacks using only a small screwdriver. A punchdown would be a lot faster and reliable though.

[NewtonMP2100]

....I'm gonna' knock you out....momma' said knock you out......

[Cary]

I like the Ideal tools - you can get them cheaper occasionally on ebay.