Convert 1/4 jack to Speakon on my head?

[creis2]

Yes. Yes,. and Yes.

Try to use 16 ga (or larger) stranded wire from the pcb to the new speakon connector

Thanks. One more question.

On the PCB, there are two holes for the positive and two for the negative (I'm sure you know how a 1/4 jack is mounted).

Should I split two wires from the pcb into one for the positive end of the speakon and the same for the negative?


Or just use one hole for each connector.

I hope I was able to make that clear, not easy to explain via text.

 

[beans-on-toast]

Could I desolder the 1/4" jacks from the board and use the available holes on the PCB to solder a short wire from the board to the new speakon connectors?

You can also leave the 1/4" jack in place and install the speakon wiring in parallel. That way you can use one or the other.

 

[creis2]

You can also leave the 1/4" jack in place and install the speakon wiring in parallel. That way you can use one or the other.

Good idea.

Just one wire from Speakon to any positive lead on the 1/4" jack and one wire from speakon to any positive lead on the 1/4" jack?

 

[ulrich]

Try to use 16 ga (or larger) stranded wire from the pcb to the new speakon connector

18-22 awg, stranded would be better. There is no benefit from using heavy gauge on less than three inches of wire. Or, three feet, for that matter.

Save yourself some grief and use lighter wire.

 

[beans-on-toast]

Just one wire from Speakon to any positive lead on the 1/4" jack and one wire from speakon to any positive lead on the 1/4" jack?

The tip of the 1/4" to speak on +1, sleeve to -1.

 

[bassmeknik]

18-22 awg, stranded would be better. There is no benefit from using heavy gauge on less than three inches of wire. Or, three feet, for that matter.

Save yourself some grief and use lighter wire.

I respectfully disagree with this. Use 16 gauge.

 

[Rob Edmunds]

if your going to totally disassemble, a step drill is a lot cheaper than a punch


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Unfortunately the step drills you cite will not make a hole large enough for a speakon panel mount. 3/4" < 15/16". I have this same set. Just not quite large enough.

 

[Andyman001]

Unfortunately the step drills you cite will not make a hole large enough for a speakon panel mount. 3/4" < 15/16". I have this same set. Just not quite large enough.

Just an example, they make them much larger.
https://www.amazon.com/Neiko-10194A...1c87ce98327&pd_rd_wg=kPNG5&pd_rd_i=B000FZ2UOY

 

[Rob Edmunds]

Just an example, they make them much larger.
https://www.amazon.com/Neiko-10194A...1c87ce98327&pd_rd_wg=kPNG5&pd_rd_i=B000FZ2UOY

Sure, it's just that the earlier post showed the HF set which does not get quite large enough. A Greenlee punch in 15/16th is pretty steep (over $100) since I am planning only 4 more installs. But don't need slivers everywhere (and even the punch out requires a pilot hole). Guess I'll pull all the guts out of the chasses first.

 

[Redbrangus]

Aargh... using a step drill to make a hole that large in a steel chassis is a gnarly proposition at best. Be sure to really clamp the workpiece down -- and personally, I wouldn't try it without using a drill press. In fact, I wouldn't try it at all, but I already own the appropriately-sized chassis punch. I noticed someone referred to them as knock-out punches; the Greenlee 'knock-out' punches are widely available at electrical supply places, but they're only available in sizes that correspond to the size of standard electrical fittings. There won't be a 15/16" punch in that series, so don't waste the effort looking. The one for Speakons is a radio chassis punch.

 

[Andyman001]

Sure, it's just that the earlier post showed the HF set which does not get quite large enough. A Greenlee punch in 15/16th is pretty steep (over $100) since I am planning only 4 more installs. But don't need slivers everywhere (and even the punch out requires a pilot hole). Guess I'll pull all the guts out of the chasses first.

you might try a pawn shop, could find a punch cheaper.
and definitely take guts out first.

 

[Black Out Jazz]

In principle yes. In practice, maybe not so easy to pull off.

Drilling a hole in the chassis might not be so easy. It depends on how much space you have inside the chassis where the 1/4" jack is. Unless you have a special cutter, drilling and smoothing the hole can get messy.

I find that the easiest way to cut a hole for a speakon is with a punch. I use a Greenlee 15/16" punch for D-size speakons like the ML4MP. You have to have the room inside the chassis to do this though. One piece of the punch goes on the inside of the chassis, one goes on the outside. There is a threaded stud. You use a wrench to draw the cutter through the metal. A few turns and you have a perfect hole.

beans is right, punching the hole is the best option. Maybe if you find the right hardware store you could rent a Greenlee kit for a day.

 

[6thplanet]

...and yet we never found out if the OP ever pulled it off oh so long ago...