[Cantrell]

I need sleeve larger than 7mm, any thoughts?

It's not paracord or tech flex but similar, stuff called MDPC, they have smaller size for most regular sized cables size and a fair bit larger size. I don't recall what exact diameter is but if memory serves it might be in the ballpark size wise. Also have some nice color choices, several heat shrink color options too (apparently don't require heat shrink to secure in some cases either), mod pc I think is US seller of the product.

 

[hanihanhan]

I am looking for parts to build a MMCX iem cable, but got confused on how to read the AWG on websites. I'm looking for 28 AWG wires in specific. Would this cable work? http://www.canare.com/ProductItemDisplay.aspx?productItemID=55

 

[Allanmarcus]

I am looking for parts to build a MMCX iem cable, but got confused on how to read the AWG on websites. I'm looking for 28 AWG wires in specific. Would this cable work? http://www.canare.com/ProductItemDisplay.aspx?productItemID=55

I believe that is 28 AWG and if you combine all 4 wires, you get 25AWG. Note, I also think it's only 7 stands per wire, so it might be a little stiff.

 

[hanihanhan]

only 7 stands per wire, so it might be a little stiff.

Does the wire become less stiff with more strands?

 

[Allanmarcus]

Does the wire become less stiff with more strands?

Yes. While I have felt these wires, take a look at mogami w2929
65 cent per foot shipped from markertek

 

[hanihanhan]

Thank you, I will try those. Which size of paracord should I use with 28 awg?

 

[Allanmarcus]

Thank you, I will try those. Which size of paracord should I use with 28 awg?

depends, are you going to sleeve each wire, or are you going to loosely braid the 4 wires then sleeve the braid from the plug to the Y? They you have to decide are you going to sleeve the two wires from the Y to the connector, or sleeve each wire and twist them?

I think this might be accurate. If anyone can validate, or offer other suggestions, I'll document it on my web site.
1 wire use 95#
2 wires, use 275 or 325. You might be able to get two wires in 95 if you try hard.
4 wires, use 425
Sleeve over 6mm cable?
Sleeve over 8mm cable?

this chart might help
https://www.paracordplanet.com/cord-comparison-chart/

 

[taiyoyuden]

For a TRS to Mini XLR 3-pin headphone cable and Mogami 2534, should it wired 2blue+2white+shield for the 3 conductors or something else?

 

[hanihanhan]

depends, are you going to sleeve each wire, or are you going to loosely braid the 4 wires then sleeve the braid from the plug to the Y? They you have to decide are you going to sleeve the two wires from the Y to the connector, or sleeve each wire and twist them?

I think this might be accurate. If anyone can validate, or offer other suggestions, I'll document it on my web site.
1 wire use 95#
2 wires, use 275 or 325. You might be able to get two wires in 95 if you try hard.
4 wires, use 425
Sleeve over 6mm cable?
Sleeve over 8mm cable?

this chart might help
https://www.paracordplanet.com/cord-comparison-chart/

I was planning on paracording each strand and braiding them. Thank you so much for the thorough information. I'll try different ways of paracording.

 

[evolutiontheory]

I want to get into diy; the goal is to replace a 2.5mm termination with 3.5mm.

These are the things that I have found out so far

• https://www.amazon.com/Soldering-Ki...sprefix=soldering+,aps,228&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1 - Cheapest, I can upgrade later if I find this interesting
  
  • Or should I go for this - https://www.redco.com/ECG-J-SSA-2-Economy-50w-Analog-Soldering-Station.html
• https://www.redco.com/Eclipse-200-007W.html
  
• https://www.redco.com/Canare-F12.html - What I wanted was a 3.5mm connector with a thread adapter option for 6.3mm. But cannot seem to find it in Redco website.
  
• On a tangent, is there a 2.5mm to 3.5mm adapter that actually works? That should be interesting too.
• https://www.redco.com/Kester-83-4000-0000.html for solder - any suggestions are welcome.

Any inputs or thoughts will be much appreciated. Thank you!

 

[Allanmarcus]

I want to get into diy; the goal is to replace a 2.5mm termination with 3.5mm.

These are the things that I have found out so far

• https://www.amazon.com/Soldering-Kit-Temperature-Desoldering-Electronics/dp/B07GTGGLXN/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=1O8YVTDNJQB6B&keywords=soldering+iron&qid=1552365931&s=gateway&sprefix=soldering+,aps,228&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1 - Cheapest, I can upgrade later if I find this interesting
  • Or should I go for this - https://www.redco.com/ECG-J-SSA-2-Economy-50w-Analog-Soldering-Station.html
• https://www.redco.com/Eclipse-200-007W.html
  
• https://www.redco.com/Canare-F12.html - What I wanted was a 3.5mm connector with a thread adapter option for 6.3mm. But cannot seem to find it in Redco website.
  
• On a tangent, is there a 2.5mm to 3.5mm adapter that actually works? That should be interesting too.
• https://www.redco.com/Kester-83-4000-0000.html for solder - any suggestions are welcome.

Any inputs or thoughts will be much appreciated. Thank you!

If you plan on getting into cable making, and eventually amp making (like a Crack or a WHAMMY), I high recommend spending a little more on a better soldering station. Get a Weller WES51. Put a camelcanelcamel watch on it, as it falls below 90 often. If you really don't want to spend $90 for a soldering station, at least get the Redco station. What to you get wit the weller? Pretty fast startup time (~30seconds), temp acquired notification via a blinking light, high temps, auto shutoff for safety. I got it for the faster startup time.

As for wire strippers, again, spend a little more and save money in the long run. In the $4-5 range, get this one: https://www.parts-express.com/7-in-1-wire-stripper-crimper-26-16-awg--360-632
Although I prefer this one: https://www.redco.com/Platinum-15005C-ProStrip-16-30-Wire-Strippers.html
The issue with the Platinum tools is that it won't strip larger wires, which is why I have both.
Middle ground: get both the Eclipse CP-301G and the Eclipse CP-302G from redco.

here's my workbench:
https://sites.google.com/marcusfamily.info/diynotes/home/my-workspace

re: 3.5mm connector with a thread adapter option for 6.3mm
there are few.
The best is probably the HICON HI-J3563S from Sommer Cable. It's like $7 plus $7 shipping. In the US, contact info to get it in the US:
Sommer cable America, Inc.
131 Stony Circle, Suite 500| Santa Rosa, CA 95401
E-Mail: ussales@sommercable.com
Tel. Main: +1-707-200-4020 | Fax: +1-707-284-0618

Want cheap:
AliExpress has this one.
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4pc...crew-in-3-5mm-female-jack-to/32897099022.html
Expect it to take three to four weeks to reach you.

That solder is good.

 

[evolutiontheory]

If you plan on getting into cable making, and eventually amp making (like a Crack or a WHAMMY), I high recommend spending a little more on a better soldering station. Get a Weller WES51. Put a camelcanelcamel watch on it, as it falls below 90 often. If you really don't want to spend $90 for a soldering station, at least get the Redco station. What to you get wit the weller? Pretty fast startup time (~30seconds), temp acquired notification via a blinking light, high temps, auto shutoff for safety. I got it for the faster startup time.

As for wire strippers, again, spend a little more and save money in the long run. In the $4-5 range, get this one: https://www.parts-express.com/7-in-1-wire-stripper-crimper-26-16-awg--360-632
Although I prefer this one: https://www.redco.com/Platinum-15005C-ProStrip-16-30-Wire-Strippers.html
The issue with the Platinum tools is that it won't strip larger wires, which is why I have both.
Middle ground: get both the Eclipse CP-301G and the Eclipse CP-302G from redco.

here's my workbench:
https://sites.google.com/marcusfamily.info/diynotes/home/my-workspace

re: 3.5mm connector with a thread adapter option for 6.3mm
there are few.
The best is probably the HICON HI-J3563S from Sommer Cable. It's like $7 plus $7 shipping. In the US, contact info to get it in the US:
Sommer cable America, Inc.
131 Stony Circle, Suite 500| Santa Rosa, CA 95401
E-Mail: ussales@sommercable.com
Tel. Main: +1-707-200-4020 | Fax: +1-707-284-0618

Want cheap:
AliExpress has this one.
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4pc...crew-in-3-5mm-female-jack-to/32897099022.html
Expect it to take three to four weeks to reach you.

That solder is good.

Thank you! This is super helpful. In the end I went this these

• weller solder iron for 44$
• Platinum-15005C-ProStrip - Looks versatile
  
• All redco connectors and a 1/4 adapter
• Solder from redco

 

[itsikhefez]

Slightly confused on how to wire a balanced headphone cable with dual headphone connectors (ZMF).
I've previously used Furutech FHD-35 wire which makes things simple, there are 2 separate wires that have a single conductor and shield. Wiring is obvious.

With starquad, there are 2 twisted pairs and a shield. On the headphone side, a twisted pair is used for each channel, shield is cut off.
On source side, twisted pairs are connected to pins 1-4 accordingly.

2 sources of confusion currently:
1) What do we do with the shield? Connect it to XLR ground lug, or nothing?
2) Which wires should be used for each channel? I've seen people using same color for each channel, similar to how a star quad would be used to connect a 3-pin interconnect. That doesn't make much sense to me, wouldn't we want a twisted pair for each channel?
i.e, twists of L+/L- and R+/R-, as opposed to L+/R+ and L-/R- (as would be when using same color for channel)

Thanks!
P.S. Not sure if it matters but my amp is a BH Mainline.

 

[Allanmarcus]

Slightly confused on how to wire a balanced headphone cable with dual headphone connectors (ZMF).
I've previously used Furutech FHD-35 wire which makes things simple, there are 2 separate wires that have a single conductor and shield. Wiring is obvious.

With starquad, there are 2 twisted pairs and a shield. On the headphone side, a twisted pair is used for each channel, shield is cut off.
On source side, twisted pairs are connected to pins 1-4 accordingly.

2 sources of confusion currently:
1) What do we do with the shield? Connect it to XLR ground lug, or nothing?
2) Which wires should be used for each channel? I've seen people using same color for each channel, similar to how a star quad would be used to connect a 3-pin interconnect. That doesn't make much sense to me, wouldn't we want a twisted pair for each channel?
i.e, twists of L+/L- and R+/R-, as opposed to L+/R+ and L-/R- (as would be when using same color for channel)

Thanks!
P.S. Not sure if it matters but my amp is a BH Mainline.

1. Circumcise both size. No need for the shield at all.
2. I don’t think it matters, but using one twisted pair for channel couldn’t hurt.

 

[itsikhefez]

Speaking of twisted pairs, has anyone built a balanced cable of 2 lengths of twisted pairs, without braiding or litz?
Basically 1 twisted pair per channel, and some kind of cloth or sheath that wraps both pairs below the Y split and the connector.