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Gear / Technical Help => Cables => Topic started by: ArchivalAudio on February 05, 2009, 10:57:02 PM
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DIY- Custom Right Angle Shortie Mil Spec Silver XLR cable
My first DIY-XLR Custom Right Angle (both ends) cable
I know it's been done before - but here is my facilitation of some DIY silvers.
I am ready to make myself some other interconnects for my personal use.
I want to clearly state here that I have no intention of making and selling these, they are for my personal "home" use only.... no need to fear yet another cable maker on the TS scene. ;)
I have plans for some nice long XLR's and some XLR TRS combos, as well as some RCA to TS.
Even to make a custom cable for my 1950's Calrad DM-16H.L Dynamic - that my dad bought brand new way back when, and my Shure SLIM-X Crystal mic...
I got 200' of mil-spec braided silver 2 conductor with a braided shield, 22AWG
it's very nice I also got a mini spool (100') of TechFlex Clean Cut 1/8" aka 3mm from Markertek (CM188)
I opted for the clean cut because it was thicker then the FlexoPet.
Also big thenx to Lil' Kim Jong-Il for sending me a small sample of the FlexoPet and the CleanCut- It really helped me to decide!
I wanted each end of the XLR (both M & F) to be a custom chopped Right Angle.
I previously had a near disaster on the F-end XLR when I used JB weld and it got in to the release buttons.
I learned from that experience and cut them to the top of the plastic ring, including the "strain releif" collar, which helps keep the connector plug in proper position. Then I ground a grrove for the wire to exit at a right angle using my dremel.
I ended up using a small bit of silicone oil on the F-end on the buttons - then filled them with hot-melt glue about 3/4 of the way, before I used some Quick Steel to finish the. The quick Steel is a bit rougher than I would like, but I also just hand smoothed them , with water like the instructions state.
connectors:
Neutrik Black with Gold contacts:
NC3MXX-B -(XLR-M)
NC3FXX-B (XLR-F)
You may notice a blue cast (or blue highlights) to some of the photos- this is because aside from the full spectrum Compact Florescent (CF) bulbs I have light ing my room I had on my string of blue (UV) LED -x-mas lights on! ;)
peace
-- Ian
on to the Photos, there are a bunch of them and hopefully they are self explanatory:
NC3MXX-B -(XLR-M)
(http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj172/ArchivalAudio/DIY-XLR-custom%20RT-angle/xlr-M-.jpg)
NC3FXX-B (XLR-F)
(http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj172/ArchivalAudio/DIY-XLR-custom%20RT-angle/xlr-F-.jpg)
Chopped and grooved connectors:
(http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj172/ArchivalAudio/DIY-XLR-custom%20RT-angle/xlr-chopped-ends.jpg)
Mini-Spool 100' of CleanCut:
(http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj172/ArchivalAudio/DIY-XLR-custom%20RT-angle/xlr-techflex-cleancut-spool.jpg)
Mil Spec silverWire inserted through the TechFlex CleanCut:
(http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj172/ArchivalAudio/DIY-XLR-custom%20RT-angle/xlr-tech-flex.jpg)
Shrink tube cut to size:
(http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj172/ArchivalAudio/DIY-XLR-custom%20RT-angle/xlr-shrink-tube.jpg)
XLR's wires ready and tinned:
(http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj172/ArchivalAudio/DIY-XLR-custom%20RT-angle/xlr-ready-.jpg)
Close up of XLR ready to soldier in with the alligator clip and magnifier holder:
(http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj172/ArchivalAudio/DIY-XLR-custom%20RT-angle/xlr-M-close-up.jpg)
Soldiered XLR-M ends:
(http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj172/ArchivalAudio/DIY-XLR-custom%20RT-angle/xlr-M-soldiered.jpg)
Soldiered XLR-F ends:
(http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj172/ArchivalAudio/DIY-XLR-custom%20RT-angle/xlr-soldiered-F.jpg)
Hot melt ready 1:
(http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj172/ArchivalAudio/DIY-XLR-custom%20RT-angle/xlr-hotmelt-clamp.jpg)
Hot melt 2:
(http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj172/ArchivalAudio/DIY-XLR-custom%20RT-angle/xlr-hotmelt-gun.jpg)
Quick Steel ready:
(http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj172/ArchivalAudio/DIY-XLR-custom%20RT-angle/xlr-quick-steel.jpg)
Finished:
(http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj172/ArchivalAudio/DIY-XLR-custom%20RT-angle/xlr-done1.jpg)
Done & in my FurTooly:
(http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj172/ArchivalAudio/DIY-XLR-custom%20RT-angle/xlr-in-deck.jpg)
I hope the pictorial was entertaining! ;D
-- Ian
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I see that a bunch of folks have looked at this thread
but it must be too boring
as there have been no comments
maybe its a "just been there, done that" pictorial
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why did u use the new style of xlr's? ever thought of doubling up on 22ga wires? That's what I did when I made my last pair with the silver 22ga. you gotta admit 22ga is tiny.
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nope,
I love them.
been eying up a set of mogami 20' I have laying around, thinking of trying do this, saying to myself: "Can't be that hard, can it?"
and yr pictures proves that while it does take some effort and tools, it is very doable
good project for a rainy day
thanks
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why did u use the new style of xlr's? ever thought of doubling up on 22ga wires? That's what I did when I made my last pair with the silver 22ga. you gotta admit 22ga is tiny.
The new style Neutriks, - because I read a post on cable making (possibly by NicksPicks) that mentioned how easy they were to chop since the ends are all plastic _ I used them before and I like them ther are not very expensive so why not? is there a reason you think I should use the old style ones?
well I believe that is is the same Mil Spec wire that my other cable I had made for me were made from
I think the silvers conductivity is pleanty to carry a clean signal - but what do I know
the cable I made is only 18" long
thanx for the input
peace
-- Ian
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nope,
I love them.
been eying up a set of mogami 20' I have laying around, thinking of trying do this, saying to myself: "Can't be that hard, can it?"
and yr pictures proves that while it does take some effort and tools, it is very doable
good project for a rainy day
thanks
Thanx
it's easy - I finally "upgraded" my soldering iron to a super low end Weller WLC 100 - which has a heat control is only 40 watts, and I got a super fine pencil point for, and it is much easier to solder with my old rat shack cheapo iron
Its not hard you just need to think of the steps - like anything
I figured pictures are worth a thousand words - or something like that
peace
-- Ian
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They look great mang!
why did u use the new style of xlr's? ever thought of doubling up on 22ga wires? That's what I did when I made my last pair with the silver 22ga. you gotta admit 22ga is tiny.
???
22 awg is fine.
I have a 22awg pair and 24awg pair both 20 footers.
I use the 24 all the time.
I believe nick uses 24 also.
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They look great mang!
why did u use the new style of xlr's? ever thought of doubling up on 22ga wires? That's what I did when I made my last pair with the silver 22ga. you gotta admit 22ga is tiny.
???
22 awg is fine.
I have a 22awg pair and 24awg pair both 20 footers.
I use the 24 all the time.
I believe nick uses 24 also.
cool thanx ;D
and that is what I though exactly
-- Ian
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Hey Ian.
FWIW, I never get tired of looking at DIY threads.
Thanks for taking the time to post!
Mike
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Hey Ian.
FWIW, I never get tired of looking at DIY threads.
Thanks for taking the time to post!
Mike
Mike
thanx so much
I am glad to hear that the pics are being viewed.
:)
-- Ian
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yup, 24awg is my desired thickness.
22, and the cable is very stiff.
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nice work on those ICs, btw.
just be sure that any of the epoxy materials you use (the clay stuff) is *non conductive*
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nice work on those ICs, btw.
just be sure that any of the epoxy materials you use (the clay stuff) is *non conductive*
thanx!
Yeah I was a bit worried about the conductivity of epoxy
which is also why - I first filled the connections with non - conductive hot melt glue then just toped off the ends with the quick steel
-- Ian
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another nice way to "cap" them is to use that rubber "grip dip" stuff. you can cut it, trim it...etc once it dries, and it looks nice..has good texture to "grab".
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another nice way to "cap" them is to use that rubber "grip dip" stuff. you can cut it, trim it...etc once it dries, and it looks nice..has good texture to "grab".
Nick
that is a fantastic idea, I like that rubber grip dip stuff...
thanx again for your positive comments!
-- Ian
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any time Ian.
keep it up !!
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Ya know Ian because of you I might have to try this >:D
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Ya know Ian because of you I might have to try this >:D
Very Awesome Kirk
that's all I can hope for
that some how this thread and the pics inspires others to build their own cables!
very cool to hear
thanx Kirk!
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Nice Pictutorial AA!
just be sure that any of the epoxy materials you use (the clay stuff) is *non conductive*
Hey Nick, this is what concerns me. Is there something you recommend thats easy to find, not too spendy, and non-conductive? Electrical grade potting compound would be ideal, but is crazy expensive in small quantities.
J-B Weld claims to be an insulator (but no dielectric specs given) even though it is 10-20% iron powder! Weird.
Peace,
Sanaka
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JB weld works, I use "waterweld" , which is by the same company.
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"waterweld"
Cool. It's like high grade J-B and with no metal powder in it. Thanks!
Peace
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Thank's for the pics. Looking to do some of these for myself but I have a couple of questions. Is all hot melt glue non-conductive? Do you just cover the contacts with the glue and then the waterweld on top of that? Can you just fill the whole thing with waterweld and does that give you more strength?
TIA - Chuck
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That's for the pics. Looking to do some of these for myself but I have a couple of questions. Is all hot melt glue non-conductive? Do you just cover the contacts with the glue and then the waterweld on top of that? Can you just fill the whole thing with waterweld and does that give you more strength?
TIA - Chuck
i have just used hot glue on over 400 stubbies now with no issues
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i have just used hot glue on over 400 stubbies now with no issues, except my fingers are now stubs
Ftfy. Four freakin hundred?
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i have just used hot glue on over 400 stubbies now with no issues, except my fingers are now stubs
Ftfy. Four freakin hundred?
yep, and thats a conservative number, and yes the fingers do get a bit sensitive when i am real busy with the soldering and hot glue
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i have just used hot glue on over 400 stubbies now with no issues
Thanks! Hot glue I have and that's what I'll use.
Chuck
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Glad to see this pop up again
This means it is indeed useful!
I would use hot glue then water weld
but just hot glue would work too
the clear hot glue is a bit more rubbery than the translucent (whiter) glue
peace
--Ian
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Glad to see this pop up again
This means it is indeed useful!
I would use hot glue then water weld
but just hot glue would work too
the clear hot glue is a bit more rubbery than the translucent (whiter) glue
peace
--Ian
The article is great & should make it a snap, thanks for posting it Ian.
Chuck
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these are pretty great. but the cable where it goes into the connector looks a bit fragile for mixers who work in the bag. also it would be better if the male end wasnt right angle but the cable came straight out of the back. sometimes plugging in a right angle can have room issues within the bag. especially if youre plugging in 4 inputs into a 442 right next to each other. otherwise great job.
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these are pretty great. but the cable where it goes into the connector looks a bit fragile for mixers who work in the bag. also it would be better if the male end wasnt right angle but the cable came straight out of the back. sometimes plugging in a right angle can have room issues within the bag. especially if youre plugging in 4 inputs into a 442 right next to each other. otherwise great job.
Very nice pictorial. I have a few pairs of stubbies made by others, but this might encourage me to give it a try.
As for the post above, once you have just the stub, they are very easy to fit four across, on a V-3, R-4 Pro and other gear that has tight clearance. I would note that you have to pick the angle at which you want your cables to be from the outset, because these cannot be adjusted once made (at least mine can't). So if you want them to be all at the same angle, alternating or whatever, make sure that you have the pins exactly where you want them before final assembly.
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Thanx for the DIY pics. I will be trying this today, and these really are helping...