[mcp6453[_2_]]

Somehow I allowed myself to run out of heat shrink tubing. The most urgent need
is for cables with 1/4" phone plugs. Based on my best guess, 1/4" tubing is
about the right size to cover the strain relief on the Switchcraft phone plugs
and to grab the wire exiting the connector. The next size up, 3/8", is
definitely too big with a 2:1 shrink ratio. I wonder if 5/16" would be better.
(I ask because I have to buy a larger quantity to 5/16" to compare unless
someone here has some direct experience...and how could the NOT?)

[Frank Stearns]

mcp6453 writes:

Somehow I allowed myself to run out of heat shrink tubing. The most urgent need
is for cables with 1/4" phone plugs. Based on my best guess, 1/4" tubing is
about the right size to cover the strain relief on the Switchcraft phone plugs
and to grab the wire exiting the connector. The next size up, 3/8", is
definitely too big with a 2:1 shrink ratio. I wonder if 5/16" would be better.
(I ask because I have to buy a larger quantity to 5/16" to compare unless
someone here has some direct experience...and how could the NOT?)

What's the OD of the cable? 1/4" is probably fine, but maybe toss in some 3/16 and
5/16. Also vary your colors; I use a light/dark sleeve for left/right - odd/even.
Really helps when to have some color variance in a rat nest of connectors. If the
connector gets a LOT of use, consider two layers of shrink.

I also encase a number inside clear shrink not far from the cable end. For mic
cables, it's a two-parter: first number is the length; second part is a unique
serial number within that length group. Really handy for setup, panic
troubleshooting, and tear down.


YMMV.

Frank
Mobile Audio
--

[Mike Rivers]

On 9/20/2011 2:37 PM, mcp6453 wrote:

Based on my best guess, 1/4" tubing is
about the right size to cover the strain relief on the Switchcraft phone plugs
and to grab the wire exiting the connector.

1/4" (before shrinking) will work if you scrunch down the
"wings" on the sleeve terminal. If you want to go over the
shell of the plug like some instrument cables are
constructed, that's slightly larger than 1/2".

--
"Today's production equipment is IT based and cannot be
operated without a passing knowledge of computing, although
it seems that it can be operated without a passing knowledge
of audio." - John Watkinson

http://mikeriversaudio.wordpress.com - useful and
interesting audio stuff

[Mark]

On Sep 20, 8:12*pm, Mike Rivers wrote:
On 9/20/2011 2:37 PM, mcp6453 wrote:

Based on my best guess, 1/4" tubing is
about the right size to cover the strain relief on the Switchcraft phone plugs
and to grab the wire exiting the connector.

1/4" (before shrinking) will work if you scrunch down the
"wings" on the sleeve terminal. If you want to go over the
shell of the plug like some instrument cables are
constructed, that's slightly larger than 1/2".




use the red tubing if you want to impart a warmer tone to the sound...

:-)
Mark

[mcp6453[_2_]]

On 9/20/2011 8:12 PM, Mike Rivers wrote:
On 9/20/2011 2:37 PM, mcp6453 wrote:

Based on my best guess, 1/4" tubing is
about the right size to cover the strain relief on the Switchcraft phone plugs
and to grab the wire exiting the connector.

1/4" (before shrinking) will work if you scrunch down the "wings" on the sleeve
terminal. If you want to go over the shell of the plug like some instrument
cables are constructed, that's slightly larger than 1/2".

I just want to shrink it around the "wings" and the cable. Luckily I found some
1/4" at Lowes, of all places. When I order a supply, I'm going to get some
5/16", as well.