Somewhere, someone finally made this and I think it's beautiful

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4687836

#hardware

Ethernet | RJ45 clip to secure/repair/fix broken tab by guss67

This clip was design to fix/repair/secure the broken or loose tab of a RJ45 Ethernet connector and avoid crimping. Designed to prevent from moving, wiggling, falling from the connector and easy to install.UPDATE v.4.9 | 28/01/2021Added the 3 following files which have slightly wider body (0.25mm) than 4.7 version and small upgrade on the tip.1. "4.9.nf.supported" (extension) comes "with supports" for the ones are not very familiar with. But I still prefer S3D's supports.2. "4.9.nf" (extension) with "no fillet", to make it easier printing with supports.3. "4.9" (extension) with fillet, for "smooth edges". On FDM printers isn't that much noticeable.UPDATE v.4.7 | 01/01/2021Added another version with "no fillet" (".nf" extension), actually it has sharp edges to make it easier printing with supports.PrintingSuggested printing orientation is the one as the files are stored, why?Printing the tab from the base to the tip in X-Y axis makes it stronger and more flexible since its printed in one continued string.If you change the orientation with the tip on top then tab's base will start from the bottom and builds up while the Z axis is sticking the rest of it till the tip. With this orientation the tab has more possibilities to brake since Z layers don't bond the same as the method I suggested.*If you have another solution let me know.Supports Supports needed and you need to be experienced with good slicer settings. Also attention needed when removing them from the actual print.Or you can print the file with "4.9.nf.supported" (extension) which comes with supports. But I still prefer S3D's supports.Installation note:1.Before install the "printed clip" check the left overs of the broken tab. If it is too long the tip of the "printed clip" might not click underneath the left-over. So, I suggest to leave a length of the broken tab about "0,5-1,0mm". If the broken tad left-over is to small or cuted flash then the printed one might not click and hopefully that would work well, haven't tested that scenario.2.Follow the sketches to install the "printed clip", also while sliding in if you find it a bit hard some wiggling might help.*You may call it the "ScorpioNet" or "Devil's Network Tail"! Designed in InventorIf you enjoy and want to support my work you can donate me on the link below,Thank you!

Thingiverse - Digital Designs for Physical Objects

@openbsdnow ... The timing of this is uncanny. I picked up an old cable ten minutes ago, fished my phone out to look at Mastodon and there it is.

Printer goes brrrrr

@openbsdnow Once in a while you see a innovator has really done their job and invented something that makes peopleβ€˜s lives happier. Big compliment to whoever designed this!πŸ‘πŸ‘πŸ‘
@openbsdnow Is that a foreskin?

@scenario @openbsdnow

It is to replace the foreskin on a circumcised ethernet cable

@openbsdnow @andreasdotorg I wonder how the energy-consumption of producing a new connector compares to printing one of those in a 3d-printer ;)
@wetter @openbsdnow @andreasdotorg I would expect the transport energy to dominate in either case. Driving a truck even a few km is expensive.
@kbob @wetter @openbsdnow @andreasdotorg this has pretty much been my conclusion for FDM 3D printing - the filament has to be transported a similar distance but it's in a much more final-product-dense form at that point; I might get a few hundred network cable connector sleeve things out of a 1kg reel, which means a few hundred units of packaging and cubic metres of empty space aren't been sent from the other side of the planet.

@kbob @wetter @openbsdnow @andreasdotorg I wouldn't bet on that; transporting bananas by boat and truck takes only 5% of the total carbon footprint.

You can ship things en masse.

Bit like data transfers, Amazon snowmobile is a wonder: https://www.emergingtechbrew.com/stories/2021/10/14/inside-the-curious-world-of-physical-data-transfers

@janvenetor @kbob @wetter @openbsdnow @andreasdotorg that’s true for many foods, but for bananas, transport does make up 35% of the carbon footprint. https://ourworldindata.org/grapher/food-emissions-supply-chain?country=~Bananas
Food: greenhouse gas emissions across the supply chain

Greenhouse gas emissions are measured in kilograms of carbon dioxide-equivalents (COβ‚‚eq) per kilogram of food.

Our World in Data

@janvenetor @kbob @wetter @openbsdnow @andreasdotorg

Except these are likely to be small one off shipments of a ten pack. Vs one time filament roll that will cover 100s.

As you say, shipping bulk is cheaper.

@wetter @openbsdnow @andreasdotorg crowdfunding for injection mold?
@Bindestriche @wetter @openbsdnow @andreasdotorg As much as I like 3D printed stuff, in this case it's just easier to buy a pack of ready made repair clips. ( e.g. Delock 86420 )

@wetter @openbsdnow @andreasdotorg depending on circumstances, you'd have to factor in transport for the new connector, energy going into the crimping tool you'll only use once in your life, etc.

Short cables I just replace when the tab breaks, but I've repaired an expensive 15m CAT5 with a similiar 3D print.

@wetter @openbsdnow @andreasdotorg

If you have the tools, then you could just replace the connector easily.

My father used to work in networking, so I have the $100 in tools with connectoes and crimpers as well as a cable tester, so I just replace them. But I would not recommend buying the tools and just to replace the cable if yours breaks.

@openbsdnow folks will do literally anything to avoid spending $5 on a new network cable

@jpm @openbsdnow

"folks will do literally anything to avoid spending $5 on a new network cable"

You mean like running their 3D printer for a couple of minutes. Yeah that's extreme.

@sibrosan @jpm @openbsdnow Agreed, that’s just silly. If somebody bought a 3D printer for the sole purpose of replacing connectors, then I’d agree. But if someone already has the kit, it’s hella cheaper and less wasteful than replacing an entire custom-cut cable. If you have the tool, why not use it? No need to be hating.
@jpm @openbsdnow in the inventions defense, I mean, sometimes cables run thru difficult to access areas.
@jpm why throw stuff away if it works
@powersource @jpm Ahuh. Imma print a whole tray of them so I don’t have to recrimp/replace when I’m onsite.

@jpm @openbsdnow
Since the new one will probaly break just as quickly what's the point.

Having those to repair your old cable is a really nice solution

Ich hab mir erst vor ein paar Tagen neue crimp-freie lan Stecker gekauft. HÀtte ich das gewusst, hatte ich beim @fundraiser Mal nachgehakt in K2 vielleicht ein paar solche Überzieher drucken kânnte...
@openbsdnow That has to be a bugger to print. With a few tweaks it could be made way easier.
@revk @openbsdnow well, those orange ones look like they are printed on their side with support under one side of the clippy bit, and maybe some in the big middle hole(or it could be bridged if your settings are right
@openbsdnow
3dprinting to the rescue
@openbsdnow they even made it break easy, just like it should. perfect!
@yetzt @openbsdnow correct. Stopped using them due to this.
@openbsdnow I need to get a good printer now I suppose
@openbsdnow they're just horrible to print
@openbsdnow holy shit - that’s perfect
@openbsdnow I get that this is cool because you're printing it, but I've purchased similar things in bulk for years now, so it's not a new invention.
@openbsdnow @TTimo
Years ago I bought these and I still think it's a very underrated invention
@openbsdnow looks like a BSD daemon riding an Ethernet cable.
@openbsdnow in all seriousity though, those entire connectors could all be replaced by 4-conductor TRRS 3.5mm jacks and sockets by now
@openbsdnow damn I need to borrow one of the printers in b27...
@openbsdnow @colinstu I've used this, it is okay, but doesn't work well if you use more brittle materials, I found this remix of it to be way more reliable :> https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:5191532
RJ45 replacement in two parts [stronger] by TaicheeKan

This is a remix from https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4757607 I made it by using PLA but the ring part was broken due to the thinness of the upper (near the clip) line. So I added same total thickness as side wall lines there. it's solved. Now this model has incredible strength. Great thanks for original ideas.

@openbsdnow I got a slightly different design online that retains the same clip and allows you to detach the "cuff" if the cable has a fixed sleeve.
@openbsdnow and bonus, it won't reset the cisco router in port 1!

@openbsdnow

@vwbusguy

Yeah I tried a few of these prints back when I first got a 3D printer.... Tolerances are not great and PLA flex is pretty hit and miss... Ended up with a lot of ... Additional broken plastic clips :-/

@openbsdnow Just the thing I needed. An hour and a bit of print time, on a Mars 3 pro. It'll be interesting to see how the water-washable resin holds up to the strain.

Please excuse the dust.

@openbsdnow tried multiple variations of this hack (there are a few on thingyverse and printables): none of them lasted. Perhaps wrong filament or print settings... so at least not easy.
@openbsdnow Unfortunately, it won't do anything for cables that have a protective boot, which means it's inaffective for working around the issue in Cisco Field Notice 63697.
@openbsdnow these should be mass produced by injection moulding and sold in 100 piece bags. This should save time and money.
@openbsdnow someone should really sell those
i’m not gonna buy a 3d printer for these !
Field Notice: FN - 63697 - Protective Boot on Certain Network Cables Might Push the Mode Button and Cause an Unexpected Reset on the 48-Port Models of Cisco Catalyst 3650 and 3850 Series Switches - Workaround Provided

Certain types of snagless Ethernet cables have protective boots that extend too far forward and above the plastic latching tab.When this type of cable is installed in Port 1 of any 48-port model of the Cisco Catalyst C3650 or C3850 Series switches, the boot might press and hold the Mode button, which invokes Express Setup and reboots the system. (Reference Figures 1 through 3 for illustrations of the issue.)Note: This type of boot-cable can partially obscure port LEDs, air vents, and USB ports.Figure 1. Problematic Cable before Complete InsertionFigure 2. Problematic Cable Completely InsertedFigure 3. Problematic Cable Completely Inserted (side view)

Cisco