I have a load of CAT-5 network cable.
it doesnt have the plastik ends, but i have bough some.
ive also borrows a crimper tool kit which is used to attach the cable to the plastic ends.

in the crimping toolkit, if a large (multi) tool which looks like a pair of plyers,
if has a cutting part, and wire bareing part, and abouther part which i believe is used to insert the wires in the socket, and lock them in.

in the tool kit is also a small plastic tool...looks asif it may be used to grip wires ?
looks a bit like the tiny tiny gun will smith uses in MEN IN BLACK (the first film)

i need to know...
How to i wire to cable as a normal netowrk cable ?
how do i wire the cable as a crossover cable ?

(basically, i need to know what order colours need to go for each)

ALSO... i will probably be making a little junction box part way through the cable so i can change it from crossever to straight. (i need crossover for normal use between my 2 PC's, but i need straight so i can use it on a HUB for LAN parties)

ALSO... i dont have an instruction manual, and cant figure out how to use the tool

anyone have any experiance ?

When i made one for my grandmother i remember having greate truble using the cutter part. I you can get your hands on it use a cutter designed for electrical stuff.

For the color combination you will find lots of info on this site

As for practical tips make sure that:
all the lines are exactly the same length otherwise connection will not work.
Triple check that you lines are in the correct color order. If they are not you can always take them out of the plastic end.
when you cut the first insulation dont cut through the wires if you do start over.
When you squeese it the final time, don't squeese softly place your handes at the end of the device and squeese if you don't squeese hard enough you will have trouble putting the card in the nic.

if you are going to cut for a fixed length make sure you have enough cable to work with. Particually if you have trouble cutting the plastic of the end of the wires.

<edit>
to use the link remeber that the plastic end is faced down with you looking into the end where the wires will be
</edit>

Also,
Push the wire to end of the plastic terminal harder before crimp it. And crimp it with lots of hand power.

Avoid passing your network cables joint to eletrical and phone ones, into the walls or at the same conduit. kepp, at least 5 inches between net and others.

Good luck
Eduardo

great. thanks.

i will make a small section (10 cm) of crossover cable. and keep most of the length as staght cable. that way i can use an apdapter to add them together to change modes from straight to swap thankyou.

Hope these cables connect to a Linux machine atleast on 1 side .

on 1 side always... on the other... dial boot.