Abstract: An apparatus and method for preparing the end of a cable which may be used in the fabrication of a Category 5 patch cord cable assembly. The apparatus includes a cable clamp subassembly and bonding members located between wire combs that position the cable wires side by side. The wires are bonded by heating elements located in the bonding members. These heating elements comprise wires mounted on a printed circuit board. The printed circuit board heater members can be replaced so that wires with different insulation and/or different sizes can be prepared by the tool. Exposed wire pairs are untwisted and laced in the wire combs. A cable clamp prevents the portion of the wires remaining in the cable jacket from untwisting. An insert is placed between two of the wires and the other six wires to improve near end crosstalk performance. The upper bonding subassembly is then rotated into place and the ends of the wires are bonded. The cable clamp is then shifted, moving the wires, and the wires are cut to length.