Is crimping meant to be this hard?

[clockworks]

Good that you found it a lot easier with better kit!

You mention labelling the cables - this is something that I need to tackle soon, but I can't find a sensible way of doing it, apart from writing on the sheath.
I've got about 20 loose-laid cables around the house, mostly dropping through the ceilings or following the central heating pipes, and a switch in the loft.
I've now started decorating and improving, and the cables will get chased into the walls and terminated properly as each room is done.

I'll probably end up getting a comms cabinet and patch panel. I left enough slack in the loft so that I can run all the cables into a cabinet in the garage.

[Chris Type R]

What I've used in the past is specialised cable ties with integral plastic tags.

[WinstonWolf]

Labelling the cables while pulling.

Cut a single notch in the insulation then two etc. for five cut a lengthways notch, six is a long and a single etc.. Do the same at both ends of the cable. Cut the notches off when you terminate.

Hard to explain but it's kinda like Roman numerals. You'll never mix cables up ever again.

[sjj84]

We use dynamo labels and clear heat shrink tubing over the top. Obviously has to be done before the plug is put on, well actually you just need to put a length of tubing on first, can make the labels and heat shrink it whenever you like.

[clockworks]

Clear heatshrink is a great idea - thanks.