The DIY Cable Thread

JFace · #1 11-20-2009, 09:54 AM

After doing a general search on cables, I found very sparse information from people who have made their own. Most topics are concerned with solderless cable kits.

I decided to start this thread for compiling information on making your own instrument and patch cables. Such topics of discussion could be:

Bulk Cable
-Brands of raw cable
-Low capacitance
-Shielding
-Durability
-Least expensive place to find it

Connectors
-Brand of connectors
-Easy to work with
-Signal loss
-Least expensive place to find it

Solder
-Composition
-Easy to work with
-Least expensive place to find it

Technique
-Soldering iron/tip/wattage preference
-Wire cutting tools
-Pictures/schematics

Positive and negative experiences would be very valuable to know what works, and what doesn't.

Thanks!

JFace · #2 11-20-2009, 09:58 AM

I'll get it started. Here's the least expensive site I've found with connectors made by Neutrik and Switchcraft.

Parts Express carries Pro co wire that seems pretty good quality.

scotch · #3 11-20-2009, 09:58 AM

'scribed

JFace · #4 11-20-2009, 10:03 AM

Canare GS-6 cable at $0.75 a foot here along with free shipping.

MagicMan_841 · #5 11-20-2009, 10:04 AM

I use Digi-Flex cable bought by the foot at a local electronics store with either Switchcraft (from Small Bear) or Neutrik jacks (local store). Needs a little soldering but I'm getting pretty handy at it.

ogrossman · #6 11-20-2009, 10:06 AM

Negative experience #1: Forgetting to put the connector housing on the cable before soldering the second connector.

Negative experience #2: Putting the connector housing on the cable backwards before soldering the second connector.

Negative experience #3: Making the solder joint of the shield to the ground tab too bulky so the connector housing won't screw on.

Negative experience #4: Building a cable that's 3 inches too short.

Negative experience #5: Building a cable with cheap connectors and putting in all that time and effort only to have the thing break within the first month of use.

JFace · #7 11-20-2009, 10:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ogrossman

Negative experience #1: Forgetting to put the connector housing on the cable before soldering the second connector.

Negative experience #2: Putting the connector housing on the cable backwards before soldering the second connector.

Negative experience #3: Making the solder joint of the shield to the ground tab too bulky so the connector housing won't screw on.

Negative experience #4: Building a cable that's 3 inches too short.

Negative experience #5: Building a cable with cheap connectors and putting in all that time and effort only to have the thing break within the first month of use.

Wow, I can see myself making any and all of these mistakes without much thought put into it. Thanks.

kent1113 · #8 11-20-2009, 10:10 AM

Thinking that electrical tape is just as good as shrinkwrap. It ain't.

JFace · #9 11-20-2009, 10:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kent1113

Thinking that electrical tape is just as good as shrinkwrap. It ain't.

Is wrapping heat shrink over the connections a standard, or would the metal casing suffice?

rcubed · #10 11-20-2009, 10:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kent1113

Thinking that electrical tape is just as good as shrinkwrap. It ain't.

Yep. I'd recommend getting a supply of shrink tubing if you are going to be soldering up your own cables. You don't want wires shorting out. Just use a hair dryer to shrink it if you don't have a heat gun.

UncleFluffy · #11 11-20-2009, 10:20 AM

I recommend an additional outer shell of adhesive-lined heatshrink if you want bulletproof cables.

ogrossman · #12 11-20-2009, 10:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kent1113

Thinking that electrical tape is just as good as shrinkwrap. It ain't.

Negative experience #6: Forgetting to thread the shrink wrap on the wire before soldering it.

Negative experience #7: Leaving the shrink wrap too close to the joint and inadvertently shrinking it with the heat of soldering.

ogrossman · #13 11-20-2009, 10:23 AM

Negative experience #8: Leaving a sharp wire end sticking out of the solder joint that pokes through the shrink wrap.

MagicMan_841 · #14 11-20-2009, 10:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ogrossman

Negative experience #8: Leaving a sharp wire end sticking out of the solder joint that pokes through the shrink wrap.

And into your finger. Ow.

**TheFantod** · #15 11-20-2009, 10:50 AM

Just made a bunch of custom patch cables using Canare cable (got it cheap from online) and G&H Plugs (from Ebay).

In the future, I might choose a different cable, for one reason. The outer wiring in Canare cable isn't wrapped, but "woven." It's a bit of a pain to "unweave" it. I mean it's not the end of the world, but it's time consuming to do it without ripping off too much cable. In the future I may use Mogami. I've read good things.

T

scotch · #16 11-20-2009, 10:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheFantod

Just made a bunch of custom patch cables using Canare cable (got it cheap from online) and G&H Plugs (from Ebay).

In the future, I might choose a different cable, for one reason. The outer wiring in Canare cable isn't wrapped, but "woven." It's a bit of a pain to "unweave" it. I mean it's not the end of the world, but it's time consuming to do it without ripping off too much cable. In the future I may use Mogami. I've read good things.

T

That weaving provides a better % overall shield. I think it's worth the extra effort to get a clean shield from it...

scotch · #17 11-20-2009, 10:54 AM

Anybody have a good source for heat-shrink tubing that fits the Canare well? It's slightly smaller diameter than most of the other brands...

ogrossman · #18 11-20-2009, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheFantod

...It's a bit of a pain to "unweave" it...

You can also solder a short pigtail between the ground tab and the braided shield if you're careful not to melt through the insulation.

UncleFluffy · #19 11-20-2009, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheFantod

Just made a bunch of custom patch cables using Canare cable (got it cheap from online) and G&H Plugs (from Ebay).

In the future, I might choose a different cable, for one reason. The outer wiring in Canare cable isn't wrapped, but "woven." It's a bit of a pain to "unweave" it. I mean it's not the end of the world, but it's time consuming to do it without ripping off too much cable. In the future I may use Mogami. I've read good things.

T

For woven braid, the trick is to open up one of the holes in the weave with the end of a pencil or similar, then pull the inner core up and out through the hole. No need to unweave.

**Thor** · #20 11-20-2009, 11:09 AM

Hooking up the caboose to the DIY cable train.