starquad cables

K

kymera

Member
Im in the process of wiring up a few cables and cant seem to figure out how to unbraid the ground, their site says to use a fine sharp tool, and every time I attempt to unbraid the ground wire a couple of strands come off.

how do I unbraid the ground from the canare starquads without having this problem occur??
 
I just use a tiny screwdriver and comb it out, starting from the loose end. A couple of strands might get broken, but that's not a critical issue.

More importantly, avoid any shorts and be careful not to cut the insulation of the inner leads.
 
The easiest way to do it is to get the fattest needle you can... not a knitting needle but a regular sewing needle (the largest size). Then you just start at the top and pull out... as if you're combing a knot out of your kid's hair. The braided pattern repeats perfectly so it's easy to just go down one row and keep combing/pulling. Trying to skip further down in this process only slows you down. If you just keep going through each little diamond eye and pulling then this whole process only takes a minute or so.
 
I can't speak for Matt. Before you go ahead and learn to solder, do you have any background experience with electronics/electrical work? It can make the process much easier.
 
Solder

Solder

I've got lots of years in the electronics business, worn out a few soldering irons, & I just buy Matt's cables. I've still got a butane powered iron in my kit for the oddball field repair, but, as for building, given the quality, the savings are just not worth the hassle - imho.

Picking the braid apart is the correct way to go and broken strands - even up to like 30% - are not functionally damaging. What you really need to finess is cutting the outer insulation without nicking the braid. Also, when soldering - especially the braid, be fast & good or use a heatsink to protect the other wires - a small hemostat works well.

Soldering isn't really hard as long as you have a good clean, tinned tip, fine gage solder, good light, six hands and a micrometer eyeball with macro lens attachment. Practice first, cold solder joints are the bane of the newbie.

I find a good quality scotch also seems to help.

Best wishes :beer:
 
my smallest achievment would have been wiring my stereo speakers in my teens, and my greatest achievment would be finding shorts in 12v auto situations. oh...and i can remove wire insulation with my teeth
 
bwest said:
oh...and i can remove wire insulation with my teeth
Click to expand...

now that we've established your dentist loves you - be aware they're a great source for the small hemostats, worn out dental picks & scrapers, micro drills and other tools that are so handy on small projects - like building cables.:)
 
Since we're on the topic, anyone have any experience with Cold Heat soldering iron? I have actually read some really good reviews of it but it appears to be typical $19.95 as seen on TV junk. If it does work, it would be great to have in my audio kit instead of lugging around a stupid corded iron.

Cheers
 
Thanks for the reply. Ok, so unless someone counters your rave, I am gonna blow $20 on the basis of your endorsement. :)

Thanks
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top