When I think of the hassles I have gone through over the years, trying to line up lettering, and the solution was so easy.  The dab of white glue on wood parts to hold them to wax paper is another one I could have used last week. Thanks.

Skip

I've only done a small amount of wiring using the 3M suitcase connectors but based on that, the kind to use are the 905's NOT the 558's (the link in the article to the 3M product page directs you to the 558's .) The difference is in the little metal piece that crimps down on the wire. The 905's use one single piece of metal whereas the 558's have two thin pieces that are way too flimsy. Using the 558's, I wasted about 50% of them before I realized that I bought the wrong ones. These are the kind to get:
http://www.amazon.com/ScotchlokTM-Electrical-905-BOX-Automotive-Applicat...

Not these:
http://www.amazon.com/3M-905-Insulation-Displacement-Connector/dp/B0015Y...
(The above, I believe, are actually 558 connectors misidentified as 905 connectors)

Just like the person who submitted the question, I had the same experience at every hardware store and electrical supply place: nobody knew what the heck a "suitcase connector" was. I was able to find them locally at a car stereo installation store.
Here's another tip: there are a few guys who sell the 905 connectors on eBay (500 of them at a time) for about $30 plus shipping. Order 500 from MicroMark and it'll cost you over $160 plus shipping! (Save your money and use a Channel locks instead of the $80 crimping tool.)

Here's the right 3M product link:

http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/3M/en_US/EMDCI/Home/Products/Catalog/...

I looked up channel locks and a wide variety of tools came back.  Is there  specific tool being recommended that is just for crimping to avoid the high priced crimper?

Thanks,

-Ed

This is the tool you are looking for:

Thanks!   I was thinking I might have to have the ones with specially shaped jaws made only for crimping.  Seeing the ones pictured, I see I don't.  I already have two different sizes of exactly what you showed.  I'm looking forward to trying this method after my IDCs arrive that I ordered from eBay.  It should make connecting the feeders for the next section of my layout far less of a contortionist act. Timing of all this info could not have been better because that is exactly the step I was up to next for the coming weekend.

-Ed

I bought a pair of Robogrip pliers from Sears to crimp the IDC's. The jaw action slides up and down instead of an arcing motion. I hope that makes sense. I think I paid about $12.00 to $15.00 for them. They work fantastic.

I've also seen the IDC connectors at my local Harbor Freight store.

Bob

That was a great generic switch list posted, and thanks for the links.

Looking for different ones for my friends who do not want or need car cards for smaller layouts.

Only thing that could have been better if it was a downloadable image.

Thomas G.

If I remember correctly, this was in a package of materials at an NMRA regional convention clinic.