If tinning bare wire before connecting to a post is an acceptable
practice, and tinned copper is a better conductor than gold
plated copper; then why wouldn't tinned copper spades be
preferred over gold plated copper spades for terminal
connectors?

Do people really like spending 20USD per 4 connector
spades? 20USD will buy about 100 tinned copper
spades from an electrical mail order company.

I don't see the justification for buying the gold plated
spades. Someone please give me a TECHNICAL
explanation!

Thanks,
Mike

In article 3V%wd.592821$D%.480755@attbi_s51, "ML"
wrote:

If tinning bare wire before connecting to a post is an acceptable
practice, and tinned copper is a better conductor than gold
plated copper; then why wouldn't tinned copper spades be
preferred over gold plated copper spades for terminal
connectors?

Do people really like spending 20USD per 4 connector
spades? 20USD will buy about 100 tinned copper
spades from an electrical mail order company.

I don't see the justification for buying the gold plated
spades. Someone please give me a TECHNICAL
explanation!

That's odd: the latest bulletin from Tweak Central? prefers bare wire.
However, the "technical" explanation is gold is good because it doesn't
corrode like copper does.

Stephen

Ok, but tinned copper doesn't corrode, either. As to barewire,
what about corrosion?


"MINe 109" wrote in message
...
In article 3V%wd.592821$D%.480755@attbi_s51, "ML"
wrote:

If tinning bare wire before connecting to a post is an acceptable
practice, and tinned copper is a better conductor than gold
plated copper; then why wouldn't tinned copper spades be
preferred over gold plated copper spades for terminal
connectors?

Do people really like spending 20USD per 4 connector
spades? 20USD will buy about 100 tinned copper
spades from an electrical mail order company.

I don't see the justification for buying the gold plated
spades. Someone please give me a TECHNICAL
explanation!

That's odd: the latest bulletin from Tweak Central? prefers bare wire.
However, the "technical" explanation is gold is good because it doesn't
corrode like copper does.

Stephen

In article fc1xd.283378$R05.19255@attbi_s53, "ML"
wrote:

Ok, but tinned copper doesn't corrode, either. As to barewire,
what about corrosion?


"MINe 109" wrote in message
...
In article 3V%wd.592821$D%.480755@attbi_s51, "ML"
wrote:

If tinning bare wire before connecting to a post is an acceptable
practice, and tinned copper is a better conductor than gold
plated copper; then why wouldn't tinned copper spades be
preferred over gold plated copper spades for terminal
connectors?

Do people really like spending 20USD per 4 connector
spades? 20USD will buy about 100 tinned copper
spades from an electrical mail order company.

I don't see the justification for buying the gold plated
spades. Someone please give me a TECHNICAL
explanation!

That's odd: the latest bulletin from Tweak Central? prefers bare wire.
However, the "technical" explanation is gold is good because it doesn't
corrode like copper does.

Take it up with Tweak Central?.

And don't top-post.

Stephen

"MINe 109" wrote in message
...

Take it up with Tweak Central?.

And don't top-post.

Stephen

Sorry about the top posting. As to the "Take it up with..." whomever,
the whole point of usenet is FREE discourse of ideas.

If you happen to work for the rag you tout, then say so. If not,
site a page (or small quote), or website, not "go out and buy my rag.

Your miles may vary.

ML wrote:

If tinning bare wire before connecting to a post is an acceptable
practice, and tinned copper is a better conductor than gold
plated copper; then why wouldn't tinned copper spades be
preferred over gold plated copper spades for terminal
connectors?

Do people really like spending 20USD per 4 connector
spades? 20USD will buy about 100 tinned copper
spades from an electrical mail order company.

I don't see the justification for buying the gold plated
spades. Someone please give me a TECHNICAL
explanation!

Gold doesn't tarnish. This is the *only* valid technical reason for its
use in connectors. The $20 for 4 gold plated lugs is a **** take by
opportunistic vendors. They probably cost 20 cents each ( or less )
sourced from Asia.


Graham

"ML" said:

If you happen to work for the rag you tout, then say so. If not,
site a page (or small quote), or website, not "go out and buy my rag.

That's the Ferstler approach.

Your miles may vary.

It does.
Tinning wires isn't the best option, the ends will corrode.
Keep them bare like Stephen said, or terminate them with good quality
spades.

Why gold plated: gold is a rare metal and won't corrode.
Provided the connections they're hooked on are gold plated as well.

Tweak Central © can be obtained at your nearest SWMWTMS bookstore.

--
Sander de Waal
" SOA of a KT88? Sufficient. "

"MINe 109" wrote in message

In article 3V%wd.592821$D%.480755@attbi_s51, "ML"
wrote:

If tinning bare wire before connecting to a post is an acceptable
practice,


Tinning bare copper wire is good practice,

and tinned copper is a better conductor than gold
plated copper;

It isn't.

then why wouldn't tinned copper spades be
preferred over gold plated copper spades

There are some concerns about gold plating because it tends to be too thin
to take much wear.

Do people really like spending 20USD per 4 connector spades?

Nope, never done it.

20USD will buy about 100 tinned copper
spades from an electrical mail order company.

Works for me.

I don't see the justification for buying the gold plated
spades.

Ever hear of audio jewelry?

Someone please give me a TECHNICAL explanation!

There really isn't one.

That's odd: the latest bulletin from Tweak Central? prefers bare wire.

Consider the source.

However, the "technical" explanation is gold is good because it
doesn't corrode like copper does.

Bare copper wire corrodes pretty easily and rapidly. Note what happens to
bare copper roofs.

...and tinned wire is someplace in between bare copper and gold, depending on
the thickness of the gold.

"ML" wrote in message
news:3V%wd.592821$D%.480755@attbi_s51...
If tinning bare wire before connecting to a post is an acceptable
practice, and tinned copper is a better conductor than gold
plated copper; then why wouldn't tinned copper spades be
preferred over gold plated copper spades for terminal
connectors?

Do people really like spending 20USD per 4 connector
spades? 20USD will buy about 100 tinned copper
spades from an electrical mail order company.

I don't see the justification for buying the gold plated
spades. Someone please give me a TECHNICAL
explanation!

Thanks,
Mike

Tinned copper is NOT a better conductor than gold plated copper.
Depending upon how the plating was done, the tin may be more durable.

The metal on the binding post should match the metal of the connector.
Mate gold spades to gold binding posts.

"Robert Morein" wrote in message
...

The metal on the binding post should match the metal of the connector.
Mate gold spades to gold binding posts.

Why?

ScottW

"ScottW" wrote in message
news:0l3xd.128$iD.117@fed1read05
"Robert Morein" wrote in message
...

The metal on the binding post should match the metal of the
connector. Mate gold spades to gold binding posts.

Why?

It's fun watching the blind leading the blind.

"Arny Krueger" said:

It's fun watching the blind leading the blind.

Especially when it's a deaf person saying this ;-)

--
Sander de Waal
" SOA of a KT88? Sufficient. "

"Arny Krueger" wrote in message
news

It's fun watching the blind leading the blind.


Yes, watching the double blind stumble around has its amusuements

From: "Arny Krueger"
Date: 12/18/2004 3:52 PM Pacific Standard Time
Message-id:

"ScottW" wrote in message
news:0l3xd.128$iD.117@fed1read05
"Robert Morein" wrote in message
...

The metal on the binding post should match the metal of the
connector. Mate gold spades to gold binding posts.

Why?

It's fun watching the blind leading the blind.


Simple minds are easily amused. Is it as fun for you as watching dog fights or
cock fights?

ScottW wrote:

"Robert Morein" wrote in message
...

The metal on the binding post should match the metal of the connector.
Mate gold spades to gold binding posts.

Why?

I expect he's thinking of the 'fretting corrosion' that you get when mating
tin and gold plated header pin type connectors for example. The tin rubs off
onto the gold, oxidises and the contact goes high resistance eventually. You
don't get this problem with tin to tin or gold plate to gold plate.

Never heard of it being an issue with binding posts though.


Graham

ML wrote:

If tinning bare wire before connecting to a post is an acceptable
practice,

Actually, it's bad practice. Under the pressure of the contact, the
solder ( being soft ) slowly 'cold flows' and the connection can become
loose.

This type of termination should always be done with bare wire.


Graham

In article Pt1xd.283479$R05.249230@attbi_s53, "ML"
wrote:

"MINe 109" wrote in message
...

Take it up with Tweak Central?.

And don't top-post.

Stephen

Sorry about the top posting.

De nada.

As to the "Take it up with..." whomever,
the whole point of usenet is FREE discourse of ideas.

I answered one of your original questions. I didn't offer technical
explanations for the others because, while I'm not a tech type, neither
am I party to the inner thoughts of people who care about spade lugs.
However, in the spirit of FREE discourse, some point out that tinned
terminations do have higher resistance than bare wire, and some worry
about uneven surfaces, skin effect effects, etc.

I'm happy with bare wire, or Deltrons.

If you happen to work for the rag you tout, then say so. If not,
site a page (or small quote), or website, not "go out and buy my rag.

It's a test of sorts, because anyone with a sense of humor will
understand my reference.

You didn't do very well.

Your miles may vary.

Hmm. Is that a test of my sense of humor? Do you propose comforting
Miles?

Stephen

"ScottW" wrote in message
news:0l3xd.128$iD.117@fed1read05...

"Robert Morein" wrote in message
...

The metal on the binding post should match the metal of the connector.
Mate gold spades to gold binding posts.

Why?

ScottW

Because when identical metals are pressed together, they form microscopic
areas of attachment known as "pressure welds".
This provides the best possible conductivity.
This does not happen with surfaces that are not made of the same material.
Hence, gold on one surface is a complete waste, and worse than tin-on-tin,
or nickel-on-nickel.
Additionally, gold surfaces against non-gold are damaged by mechanical shear
and electromigration.
Gold is very soft, and survives only when pressed up against another gold
surface.

"Pooh Bear" wrote in message

ScottW wrote:

"Robert Morein" wrote in message
...

The metal on the binding post should match the metal of the
connector. Mate gold spades to gold binding posts.

Why?

I expect he's thinking of the 'fretting corrosion' that you get when
mating tin and gold plated header pin type connectors for example.
The tin rubs off onto the gold, oxidises and the contact goes high
resistance eventually. You don't get this problem with tin to tin or
gold plate to gold plate.

Never heard of it being an issue with binding posts though.

Contact pressure levels should be quite high with binding posts.

"Arny Krueger" wrote in message
news
"ScottW" wrote in message
news:0l3xd.128$iD.117@fed1read05
"Robert Morein" wrote in message
...

The metal on the binding post should match the metal of the
connector. Mate gold spades to gold binding posts.

Why?

It's fun watching the blind leading the blind.

How do you follow it? The sound of the footsteps?

"Pooh Bear" wrote in message
...

ML wrote:

If tinning bare wire before connecting to a post is an acceptable
practice,

Actually, it's bad practice. Under the pressure of the contact, the
solder ( being soft ) slowly 'cold flows' and the connection can become
loose.

This type of termination should always be done with bare wire.


Graham


So, when binding in-wall speaker wire to a post, you'd use the barewire?
How
often would you cut the wire and re-bind, then?

Thanks!

I'll agree that gold on one side is a waste but the problems with gold
on nickel or tin are a bit overstated, especially considering the
typical benign environment of the listening room.

ScottW

"ScottW" said:

I'll agree that gold on one side is a waste but the problems with gold
on nickel or tin are a bit overstated, especially considering the
typical benign environment of the listening room.

Benign???
What about humidity? Ask Howard about that!

--
Sander de Waal
" SOA of a KT88? Sufficient. "

ML wrote:

"Pooh Bear" wrote in message
...

ML wrote:

If tinning bare wire before connecting to a post is an acceptable
practice,

Actually, it's bad practice. Under the pressure of the contact, the
solder ( being soft ) slowly 'cold flows' and the connection can become
loose.

This type of termination should always be done with bare wire.


Graham

So, when binding in-wall speaker wire to a post, you'd use the barewire?
How
often would you cut the wire and re-bind, then?

Thanks!

Out of choice I'd terminate in a 'lug'. Just pointing out that tinning wire
isn't a good idea when using binding posts.

Graham