<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Sagar:
Hi Gang.
In my never-ending quest to make my studio better, I've been interested in making my own XLR and 1/4" cable. I've heard that I can save a lot of money that way as well-- just buy raw hi-quality cable stock and then custom-fit it to my needs byi soldering the plugs on.
I've gone as far as investing in a decent soldering iron, but the guy who led me down this path moved to San Fran!
Can anyone steer me to "Soldering your Own Cable 101"?
Thanks for your help!!
Cheers,
Sagar<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Hi Sagar, here's one of the things that I did that helped ALOT.
Go buy some 1/4" Jacks (all you need is 1 really, but I did 2)
and 1 Male XLR Jack and 1 Female XLR Jack
Go to Radio Shack and buy one of their Plastic Experimenter's boxes.
Drill holes in the box to Mount these Jacks all on the top of it.
Now, what you just made was a "Holder" to hold the pieces that you are solding!
You can plug a 1/4" plug into the 1/4" Jack, and it will hold it while you're soldering your cable to it.
You need to get you a little "Soldering Station"; it's like a coil on a base that holds the Soldering Iron while you aren't using it.
I always "pre-tin" my Cables, that is-get the Solder on the Copper wire. let it cool, then put it in place.
You heat the Jack up some.
Then Apply the Solder, and allow the solder to flow so that it looks smooth.
Remove the Iron, and let the piece sit for a minute or two.
I've soldered so much, that My Cables look exactly like The Pro's!
I've made probably Miles of Microphone Cables, and I haven't bought a patch Cable in Ages.
You won't save a "Ton" of money-but what will happen, is that eventually (once you've learned to solder really well)You'll wind up with Top grade Cables with Top grade connectors for the price of Cheap ones.
For starting out-I would suggest that You stick with 1/4" ends that you can buy in Bulk from places like Parts express.
Buy a couple of packs, and some cable, and try it.
Hell, all you're gonna do is waste a few bucks on the ones you screw up, and actually-you can just take them apart, and start over!
Remember-this is a learning process. Once you learn to Solder correctly, It's just one more tool in the old tool box.
Hell, I've had to rewire a PA on the spot before, and being able to Solder efficiently saved the day!
Good luck,
Tim
ps. Just Remember that Soldering Iron is HOT, so just be careful!
check out Parts Express before you go to Radio Shack. Sometimes stuff is alot cheaper, and you can also get all of the NAME brand parts (like Neutrik,Switchcraft,etc.. )
http://www.partsexpress.com/