That one trick with T1s where you can skip the punchdown tool

Been doing this 8 years and just figured out you can pop the wires into a 66 block with a flathead screwdriver if you're careful... saved me 20 minutes on a tight call back in Elmhurst last month. Anyone else found weird shortcuts like that or am I the only one who got sick of carrying extra tools?

2 comments

2 Comments

smith.parker8d ago

Hang on, you’re just pressing them in with the screwdriver tip or are you actually seating them by hammering the handle? I’ve seen guys try that and snap the clip right off the 66 block if they hit it wrong. That Elmhurst job sounds like a nightmare, was it one of those old wooden frames in a basement? Curious if you’re using the screwdriver to push down the insulation displacement part or just jamming the wire in and praying it holds.

ben_lewis8d ago

Exactly! I've done the same thing more times than I can count. Just a gentle tap with the flathead on the back of the block to seat the wire, never hammering straight down. Had a job in Oak Park last year, old wooden frame in a crawlspace, forgot my punchdown in the truck. Used my car key to pop a few pairs in. Worked fine, just gotta be real gentle with the angle.