Most networking devices ship with Ethernet cables that let you connect the hardware to your network. Many of these cables, however, are at a fixed length usually measuring no more than four feet. That lack of length doesn’t present many placement options for devices that are not portable and usually are hard-wired to a network such as routers, switches, servers and NASes.

Of course, you can purchase longer Ethernet cables from Best Buy and other electronic/computer stores. Buying pre-made Ethernet cables is the most practical option if you have a couple of devices to setup on a small or home network. But what if you are responsible for a large network, or several networks, as a small-business tech consultant? Or, what if you need a super long cable that you just can’t find in the store? The answer is simple: Make your own cables. Ethernet cables (also known as RJ-45, patch, and network cables) are easy to make with a little practice and the right tools.

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Even with modest cabling needs, you can reach the break-even point and pay off the small investment you’ll need to make your own Ethernet cables. At Best Buy, for example, a 6-foot Cat5 network cables costs $19.00; a 25-foot cable is priced at around $33.00 and for a 50 foot cable, the price is $43.00. These prices are just for one cable. Researching several online distributors, you can buy a spool of 1,000 feet of Cat5e from $65-$120.00 and the “heads;” the modular plugs used to terminate an Ethernet cable, can be easily found in 50-count bags for under $10.00. The crimping tool you also need is a one-time start-up cost of anywhere from $10-$50.00 depending on the quality and additional features that the crimping tool may have.

Sure, it’ll take a little extra time to make your own Ethernet cables, but you’ll save money, you’ll have cables that are the exact right length, and you might just have some geeky fun, too.