Chele
join:2003-07-23
| Network supplies/equipment - where to buy?
We are quoting a fairly big job for wiring an office building. We have calculated that we will need about 20K feet of cat5 cable, 500 RJ45 connectors, faceplates/receptacles, etc. Normally we buy at the local HomeDepot, but for this much, I think we might be better off buying online. Granted, we would have to pay shipping, but if we get enough of a savings and the fact we might not pay sales tax, it might be OK. Any sugestions for a good place to buy this kind of stuff. Any ideas are wellcomed.
Thanks |
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aSic
application specific
Premium
join:2001-05-17
Wakulla, FL
clubs:
| I used to get all my wired supplies from BlackBox..
»www.blackbox.com
They've got an absolutely huge catalog.. everything from bulk cabling to fiber to whatever you want.
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Teamwork is a lot of people doing what I say. | ircd.removed.us #dslr | Starband SRS m360 GE4 C4/S69 | Win2003/DualNIC | 802.11b |
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Seaboogers
join:2004-11-01
Sarasota, FL | reply to Chele
I've used Graybar for alot of my installation needs.
»www.graybar.com/ |
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John Galt
Forward, March
Premium
join:2004-09-30
Happy Camp
 ·CenturyLink
| said by Seaboogers  :I've used Graybar for alot of my installation needs. » www.graybar.com/ I'll go with Graybar. I have been a customer of theirs for years.
They have good customer service, have competitive pricing, quality components, great technical service (meaning free advice...if you need it), have a national distribution structure...
So on and so forth.
If you are out West, Platt is another great supplier:
»www.platt.com/Branches/
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A is A |
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robbin
Premium,MVM
join:2000-09-21
Leander, TX
| reply to Chele
Here's another vote for Graybar.
said by Chele :We are quoting a fairly big job for wiring an office building...I think we might be better off buying online. Granted, we would have to pay shipping, but if we get enough of a savings and the fact we might not pay sales tax, it might be OK... If you get audited, you may be liable for the sales tax even if you bought out of state -- here in Texas we have to pay on items bought out of state. Actually, I believe that here you would also need to charge sales tax on the labor as that is a commercial construction job. |
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VariableARK
join:2003-03-17
USA | reply to Chele
i use dalco.com
newegg.com
and good ol' ebay.com |
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joshg409
join:2005-05-03
Ottumwa, IA
| reply to Chele
There are several national companies that distribute structured cabling components. My company regularly installs Cat5/6 in large quantities, and we buy from Anixter. 500 RJ45 and 20k of cat5, I am assuming you know the limitations of Cat5 and that you will not want RJ45's at the ends. Almost all of our new cable installs are with Cat6, have you considered that instead of Cat5e? Anyway if you sign up as a reseller with Graybar or Anixter, etc. you will need a resale Tax ID depending on the state you reside otherwise the distributor will collect the tax from you. Technically if you buy online and don't get charged tax at the time of purchase but you still sell the product to someone in the end, you are resposible for collecting the tax and in turn paying that to your state. Again that depends on the state in which you perform the install.
You will want modular cat5e jacks and facplates for the wall ends and a modular or preloaded patch panels in the closets. We exclusively use Panduit, it costs more but the jacks and other equipment is more durable than the generic "Keystone" types. Most new cable installs will/should be certified. The equipment to certify cable is very expensive, if you buy from a distributor they will sometimes let you "demo" the certification equipment for a few days. Just some thoughts, good luck to you. |
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IntraLink
Premium,MVM
join:2002-08-14
Utah Valley
| reply to Chele
We did a job like that last summer. Man that sucked.
The local electrical distributer was having a close out on helix (sp?) plenium cable because they were standardizing on comscope. We beat them up on the pricing by comparison shopping and they capitualated. |
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John Galt
Forward, March
Premium
join:2004-09-30
Happy Camp
·CenturyLink
| reply to joshg409
said by joshg409 :Almost all of our new cable installs are with Cat6, have you considered that instead of Cat5e? The installation requirements for the installation of CAT5e and CAT6 (even more so) are very stringent. Everything matters...every little thing.
It is very helpful to attend the classes that the various vendors put on for materials and installation techniques.
I know that Graybar does this and I am sure that you can find out from the distributor when and where the next classes are in your area. It is important that the installers be trained, and take their time and do a technically perfect job. I usually have problems with "hot-shots" trying to slam the job...that is a killer. I have to sit them down and tell them that it is OK to "go slow"...but do it right the first time. There are just some people that I don't let work on my jobs when that type of care is required.
That's OK, though. I got ditch-diggin' for them...!
Oh, the Vendors usually serve a very nice lunch...!
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A is A |
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Chele
join:2003-07-23
| reply to Chele
The longest cable run is 240'. The reason for so much cable is that we are running the phone lines as well. We will be using Cat5 jacks, the conectors are for making patch cables and such. I do appreciate all the additional advice. I found this site, www.cat5ecableguy.com, and the prices are very reasonable. The only thing is that the shipping on the cat5 is a bear, at almost $240 just for the shipping(for 22 1k' boxes). |
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gunther_01
Premium
join:2004-03-29
Saybrook, IL | That much in one order, buy it from a distributor like Anixter and they will ship for free. I got two boxes of cat5 and a box of coax they shipped for free. No reason to pay shipping on that large an order. |
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