How to install a PL259 on LMR400 coax, perfectly - KJ7E

Buddy of mine wanted to know how I did my PL259’s, so made a video primarily to show him, but thought I would share this with others. Hope it can help some. Note, I meant to say RG8 size coax, many PL259's are made with the larger center conductor pin to accept either RG8 or LMR400. Also, using the razor blade is just how I choose to cut the jacket and braid. The real trick I have learned is to lightly tin the braid before cutting it back, which may make it difficult to cut using a standard tool. Once done, the braid is soldered completely around the connector with no damage to the jacket or center dielectric. January 2026 update - I have since modified two steps; One, I now use a small pipe cutter to cut the tinned shield. It uses a sharp wheel and a screw press to cut the shield as you twist it around the cable, tighten slightly then turn and keep tightening as you go makes a nice clean cut. You can also snap the nearly cut braid off with a slight flex and this leaves a nice clean break. Two, I put some IPA in the threaded part of the PL-259 as I am about to screw it onto the prepped coax, this acts as a lubricant between the outer jacket and the connector making it much easier to screw on by hand. No need for pliers. The IPA will evaporate cleanly and completely as you start to solder the tinned braid to the connector body.