For the network and telecommunications guys out there, a good punchdown tool makes the working day run a whole lot smoother. When the job requires wiring up a bunch of jacks and panels, a jankety punchdown tool can take its toll on your hands after a while. A good tool, however, won’t leave you feeling as much like a 90-year-old arthritic at the end of the day. With that in mind, if you’re spending a good bit of your day wiring up panels, it might be worth checking out what Milwaukee has been working on. The new Milwaukee Punchdown has a solid feature set that makes even the harder-to-access panels manageable, and the smooth, adjustable action on this new tool keeps your hands from feeling all tuckered out at the end of the day.
Feeling Punchy
Design
Milwaukee claims that their new punchdown tool features the best-in-class visibility. This claim, undoubtedly, has a lot to do with the integrated LED light, which most punchdown tools don’t have yet. After all, it turns a completely mechanical tool into one that needs a battery. However, working in less-than-ideal lighting conditions suddenly becomes a more illuminating experience when you’re not holding a flashlight between your teeth.
The Milwaukee Punchdown has a solution for those less-than-readily-accessible jacks. This tool comes with a shorter, double-sided 66/110 blade for both daisy-chaining panels together and terminating connections, respectively. It also comes with an extended 110 blade for better reach and access to crowded patch panels. The only downside here is that the extra blade doesn’t store onboard, so you’ll need to keep it where it won’t run away from you.
Ergonomics
Milwaukee spent some time optimizing the ergonomics and it shows. Without a doubt, this is the most comfortable punchdown I’ve used. Even though it doesn’t have any rubber overmolding, the Milwaukee Punchdown doesn’t feel like it’s going anywhere. The settings and light switch are both easy to access one-handed.
Price and Value
The Milwaukee Punchdown Tool retails for around $80 and comes with two AA batteries. You can certainly get a cheaper punchdown than this one, but you’ll obviously lose most of the key features. This one is priced in the range of premium models from Fluke and Greenlee, but its design warrants it.
Final Thoughts
Punchdown tools are one of those unique, niche tools that serve a specific purpose and pretty much only that purpose. Milwaukee nails it with a design that’s comfortable and eliminates the need to endure the taste of a flashlight in your mouth. Beyond that, the combination of blade sizes and build quality means the Milwaukee Punchdown has everything to be the only one I need – ever.
Milwaukee Punchdown Features
- Impacting punchdown tool
- Integrated LED light
- Best in class visibility
- Best in class access
- Optimized ergonomics
- Extended reach punchdown blade
- Includes: Punchdown tool, extended punchdown blade, two AA batteries
Milwaukee Punchdown Specs
- Width: 4.65″
- Height: 1.5″
- Length: 10.65″
- Weight: 1 lb
- MSRP: $82.37
