DIY Cable Questions and Comments Thread

[ThanosD]

Guys, I have some Klotz star quad cable, and I want to make an aux cable. The outer diameter of the cable is 5.5mm. Will paracord 550, which is 4mm in diameter stretch enough to be used as sleeving? Or is it not recommended?

 

[Chrotesque]

Search for enamel coated stranded wire.

I seem to get nowhere even with that information, when I find anything it's typically not visibly coated (meaning its blue but it doesn't have a visible transparent coating like in the picture I posted). :/

 

[Bob A (SD)]

This thread and the related gallery thread have inspired me. Thanks!

Haven't built any cables since mid 2003 (3 pairs of 1M RCA interconnects). But I got the itch to replace the doable but cheap looking NewFantasia cable on my Senn HD580/650 frankencans. My newer HD600s wear a nice CustomCansUK braided cable I picked up used.

Ordered from both redco.com and ebay (all US suppliers!). It'll be a dual run of Mogami W2944 2x26AWG wire, Techflex platinum-gray sheathed, Neutrik NP3X-B, and A/V Connection's Senn plug number when I'm done. The later looks to be a nice quality set that should be easier to use than the Cardas style for this septuagenarian. Also ordered a cable pants boot...something I've never used before but I felt was a better option for me than the clunky Y splitters or shrink-tube approaches.

For under $35 I should end up with a very nice looking 6.5' cable (I did buy 16' of wire just in case...). Already have on hand my soldering iron station, Wonder silver solder, 3rd hand, PTFE and electrical tapes, shrink tubing, multi-meter, and a heat gun.

 

[Allanmarcus]

This thread and the related gallery thread have inspired me. Thanks!

Haven't built any cables since mid 2003 (3 pairs of 1M RCA interconnects). But I got the itch to replace the doable but cheap looking NewFantasia cable on my Senn HD580/650 frankencans. My newer HD600s wear a nice CustomCansUK braided cable I picked up used.

Ordered from both redco.com and ebay (all US suppliers!). It'll be a dual run of Mogami W2944 2x26AWG wire, Techflex platinum-gray sheathed, Neutrik NP3X-B, and A/V Connection's Senn plug number when I'm done. The later looks to be a nice quality set that should be easier to use than the Cardas style for this septuagenarian. Also ordered a cable pants boot...something I've never used before but I felt was a better option for me than the clunky Y splitters or shrink-tube approaches.

For under $35 I should end up with a very nice looking 6.5' cable (I did buy 16' of wire just in case...). Already have on hand my soldering iron station, Wonder silver solder, 3rd hand, PTFE and electrical tapes, shrink tubing, multi-meter, and a heat gun.

Ummm, I’ve tried the boots. I didn’t like the way they looked on the cable. If you don’t like a y splitter, you might just consider heat shrink at the y.

 

[Bob A (SD)]

I intend to cut it down quite a bit and I think it'll look much better than plain shrink tube.

 

[imas69]

Guys, I have some Klotz star quad cable, and I want to make an aux cable. The outer diameter of the cable is 5.5mm. Will paracord 550, which is 4mm in diameter stretch enough to be used as sleeving? Or is it not recommended?

Definitely not you will need something like this https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/6mm-New-...var=561500502164&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649

 

[imas69]

I intend to cut it down quite a bit and I think it'll look much better than plain shrink tube.

I am in the process of making two balanced cables for hd800 and hd700 and have used pants boot on both, one I cut down and the other I left as is and I think they
look okay and you can guarantee the cable won't get tangled

 

[imas69]

 

[Bob A (SD)]

imas69,
Thanks for your comments and especially the pictures. Looking good!

 

[ThanosD]

Definitely not you will need something like this https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/6mm-New-High-Quality-Braided-PET-Expandable-Sleeving-Cable-Wire-Sheath/262610891497?ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&var=561500502164&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649

I thought about ordering something like this too as an alternative to the paracord, which I did. But I guess it will be that one that will be used, and not the paracord. I'll try to fit the paracord anyway. Thanks for the info!

 

[Allanmarcus]

Great pics, and nice cables. I much prefer the look of just heat shrink or a small Y splitter. For 8 core or more cables, neither is really require if the braiding is done well. Obviously this is a personal preference. This is a simple, solid core silver cable I made for my PMx2.

 

[imas69]

imas69,
Thanks for your comments and especially the pictures. Looking good!

Thank you, hope yours does too, I'm new to cable building but they are getting better every time

 

[imas69]

Great pics, and nice cables. I much prefer the look of just heat shrink or a small Y splitter. For 8 core or more cables, neither is really require if the braiding is done well. Obviously this is a personal preference. This is a simple, solid core silver cable I made for my PMx2.

 

[Allanmarcus]

Thank you, yes I am just experimenting at the moment and wanted to try heatshrink but thought it may tear after a time, I like this cable that you have built, are
the headphone terminals 2.5mm jacks and if so could you please let me know where you got them from as I've ordered some from China and I am expecting
quite a long wait also might I have the cheek to ask you how to solder them, is it positive to the centre and minus to the outer case, sorry but I'm a novice, thank
you in advance.

First off, please don't put your reply inside of the quote tags.

The connection tips are 2.5mm. I got them from https://www.plussoundaudio.com/diy/connectors.html
yes, pos to tip and common to sleeve.

 

[imas69]

Sorry, my apologies, I thought that was how to reply directly, thanks for the info