DIY Cable Questions and Comments Thread

[UnknownAX]

Hey, can someone help me with a 4 wire braid? Any guides?

The wires are numbered 1-4 from left to the right. (number 1 will ALWAYS be the leftmost wire, no matter what. 2 will always be the 2nd leftmost wire, and so on...)

Take 1 and cross it OVER 2 and 3
Take 4 and cross it OVER 3
Take 1 and cross it UNDER 2 and 3
Take 4 and cross it UNDER 3
Repeat the steps.

The result will be a 4 wire round braid. If you mess up, try to go a few steps back until you can see what step is next.

@funch: Thanks a lot! That means, that the shields of the input cables aren't connected to the amp/each other at all?

 

[wje]

Quote:

Hey, can someone help me with a 4 wire braid? Any guides?

 
Here's another guide with quite a few braiding tips and instructions:
 
http://www.seekyee.com/Slings/howtos.htm

 

[Kamakahah]

Here's another guide with quite a few braiding tips and instructions:

http://www.seekyee.com/Slings/howtos.htm

+1. Has some good instructions and tips.

 

[wolfetan44]

Oh wow, that helped a lot! Thanks.

Here's another guide with quite a few braiding tips and instructions:

http://www.seekyee.com/Slings/howtos.htm

+1. Has some good instructions and tips.

 

[danpong]

yes there is.  This is what they use for JH-3A cable. 
 
female
http://www.digikey.com/scripts/DkSearch/dksus.dll?wt.z_cid=ref_hearst_0211_buynow&mpart=TA8FSH&v=137&cur=USD
 
male
http://www.digikey.com/scripts/DkSearch/dksus.dll?wt.z_cid=ref_hearst_0211_buynow&mpart=TA8MSHF&v=137&cur=USD
 
any idea on the signal degradation?

 

[ben_r_]

Or if you guys want the ultimate book in braiding and fancy knots, check this out: LINK

 

[wolfetan44]

I just ordered heatshrink from heatshrink.com, and looking at all the options they have, I hope its very high quality. Have you seen everything!!? I will report back when I receive it.

 

[wje]

Quote:

I just ordered heatshrink from heatshrink.com, and looking at all the options they have, I hope its very high quality. Have you seen everything!!? I will report back when I receive it.

 
What shrink ratio of heatshrink did you get?  2:1 or 3:1?  Did you get the heatshrink with adhesive, or not?  I think the general consensus is that most prefer the heatshrink without the adhesive.  The adhesive-based heatshink seems like it can be irritating if you have to take a cable apart.  Plus, the adhesive-based product seems to cost at least 2x more.

 

[wolfetan44]

3:1 1/4 inch not adhesive. Violet color

I just ordered heatshrink from heatshrink.com, and looking at all the options they have, I hope its very high quality. Have you seen everything!!? I will report back when I receive it.

What shrink ratio of heatshrink did you get?  2:1 or 3:1?  Did you get the heatshrink with adhesive, or not?  I think the general consensus is that most prefer the heatshrink without the adhesive.  The adhesive-based heatshink seems like it can be irritating if you have to take a cable apart.  Plus, the adhesive-based product seems to cost at least 2x more.

 

[Kamakahah]

Big fan of 3:1. I like the adhesive only for the final piece on the connector to a sleeving if I decide to add one there at all. It does a good job adhering to the connector and sleeving so I feel confident it's quite solid. Still use non-adhesive for the inside.

I agree that using it for the full build could be irritating and costly in comparison.

 

[Hal Rockwell]

Sub'd

 

[siles1991]

Guy's I have some SPC cable but its 7 strands is that good or bad? What can I do with it?

 

[Kamakahah]

Guy's I have some SPC cable but its 7 strands is that good or bad? What can I do with it?

More strands can help add additional flexibility and help to avoid breaking. 7 is generally the lowest average strand count.

You can use it for interconnects just fine.
Might be a too stiff for a headphone cable though, but that's all preference.

 

[Zashoomin]

Quote:

More strands can help add additional flexibility and help to avoid breaking. 7 is generally the lowest average strand count.

You can use it for interconnects just fine.
Might be a too stiff for a headphone cable though, but that's all preference.

 
On the flip side though if there are too many strands its very very easy to accidentally cut a strand or two when stripping the wire.  

 

[DMinor]

Need recommendation on recabling wires for my D2000. Budget is around $100.