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Have a look at these Beauties!!!! How to make your OWN "High End" Cables!!! - Page 69

post #2041 of 2777
7/7/12 at 9:46am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by nezff View Post


Do you have a pic of the cable your using or a link?


Quote:
Originally Posted by holt7153;22004182 
Yep, I fear he could soon be making an evil "Hulk-style" return
.

He wont be making a appearance in this thread any longer.

Are you guys looking for ME? :-)
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post #2042 of 2777
7/7/12 at 9:52am
Hey-welcome back smile.gif.
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post #2043 of 2777
7/7/12 at 9:59am
Thread Starter 
Just thought I'd drop in and say hello. I have not made any cables in quite some time...but here's a couple of shots of the ones I made recently. These are very thick 3/4" (4x10gauge) and very heavy but look SOOOOO nice. You can see just how much thicker they are than the 12 gauge monoprice stuff in this photo.

450

450

450

I realize this pictures dont' really show my work...these were just rough tests but I wanted to show you the difference in thickness.

It's nice to be back :-)
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post #2044 of 2777
7/7/12 at 10:03am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Pure-Evil View Post

Are you guys looking for ME? :-)

Welcome back bro. You single handedly started a MONSTER of a diy cable thread. Of course, once you went by the way side, a few key individuals stepped in and coached, which was very cool because I was able to fasion some pretty nice cables for my system.
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post #2045 of 2777
7/7/12 at 10:07am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Geoff4RFC View Post

Welcome back bro. You single handedly started a MONSTER of a diy cable thread. Of course, once you went by the way side, a few key individuals stepped in and coached, which was very cool because I was able to fasion some pretty nice cables for my system.

Ya I've noticed this thread has really grown which makes me very happy. I know Nezf has been helping a lot (we talk from time to time) and I'm sorry I was not able to be here. I haven't really been on AVS in quite some time. It's nice to be back, and I'll be sure to
drop in here and there. I've really been impressed with the pictures you guys have posted! It's awesome to see so many making their cables look fantastic for so little $$$ :-)
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post #2046 of 2777
8/2/12 at 6:59am
subscribed. Great job guys.
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post #2047 of 2777
8/2/12 at 9:36am
Quote:
Originally Posted by hyperactiveme View Post

subscribed. Great job guys.

Welcome to the party!!!

Are you planning on building your own cables soon? If yes, don't forget to post pics of your cables as soon they are done.

BTW - Here is an updated pic of my center channel cable upgraded with Emotiva's banana plugs.

BEFORE



AFTER



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post #2048 of 2777
8/2/12 at 10:02am
Wire building can fast turn into an expensive hobby.

Placed an Amazon order today for a 100' roll of some 12/4, CL2 to create a pair of bi-amp speaker wires for the mains. Each main is currently using a bare length of 10' Kimber TC8. Later today, I'll put in an order for sleeve material as I've already ordered wire pants with a supply of shrink wrap and banana plugs sitting on the project shelf.

biggrin.gif

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Edited by BeeMan458 - 8/2/12 at 10:35am
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post #2049 of 2777
8/2/12 at 10:07am
Do you find anything better about the Emotiva plugs? The Monoprice ones you used before are advertised as copper base material plated in gold. I don't think Emotiva says what the base material is, I would assume it's brass because of this. I prefer copper base material for no objective reasoning at all, I just want copper. wink.gif

I have used Monoprice bananas on a few cables because I cannot for the life of me find a good 5/16" copper base material, gold plate, Spade connector. I also subjectively prefer Spades for no major reason. I did read an article from a US Navy Electrical Engineer who did some connectivity testing for submarines and found that banana connectors had worse connectivity than bare copper wire.

I am going to use some left over Swan speaker cable that came with my set of Diva speakers. They are only going to my bookshelf system in my bedroom so high dollar parts is not necessary. I just want to sleeve them and make them look really nice out of boredom.

Also, how can I be sure to match the diameter of the sleeving with the diameter of the wire? Are you guys using any type of cotton jacket or another kind of filler? I'm not sure how I should go about filling in the inner volume of the sleeving to have a somewhat tight fit.
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post #2050 of 2777
8/2/12 at 10:37am
I'm guessing the Emo plugs won't wiggle themselves loose the way the Monoprice plugs do...but I dunno what they're made out of.
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post #2051 of 2777
8/2/12 at 10:40am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Greg121986 View Post

Also, how can I be sure to match the diameter of the sleeving with the diameter of the wire? Are you guys using any type of cotton jacket or another kind of filler? I'm not sure how I should go about filling in the inner volume of the sleeving to have a somewhat tight fit.

Lot's of different sleeve sizes. The sleeves are variable in size. They might be spec'd at 1/4" but range from 1/8" > 7/16".

These are the banana plugs I'm using.

41Pi2Og3rTL._AA300_.jpg

Not as fancy looking as the Emotiva but they're mine. tongue.gif
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post #2052 of 2777
8/2/12 at 10:44am
Want to make some cable but need some help

- I know to use this cable - http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10239&cs_id=1023901&p_id=2817&seq=1&format=2
- 12 gauge wire pants - http://www.ebay.com/itm/KnuKonceptz-12-Gauge-Speaker-Cable-Wire-Pants-Boots-/390331133310?pt=US_Audio_Cables_Adapters&hash=item5ae18c6d7e#ht_1257wt_1396

Not sure about the Techflex , do I want the 1/2" - http://www.ebay.com/itm/1-2-BRAIDED-EXPANDABLE-SLEEVING-BLUE-TECHFLEX-25ft-/360278681379?hash=item53e2486723&item=360278681379&pt=Car_Audio_Video&vxp=mtr ?

Do I need anything else?
Does the techflex heat shrink or you just slide it over the wire?
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post #2053 of 2777
8/2/12 at 10:51am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Greg121986 View Post

Do you find anything better about the Emotiva plugs? The Monoprice ones you used before are advertised as copper base material plated in gold. I don't think Emotiva says what the base material is, I would assume it's brass because of this. I prefer copper base material for no objective reasoning at all, I just want copper. wink.gif
I have used Monoprice bananas on a few cables because I cannot for the life of me find a good 5/16" copper base material, gold plate, Spade connector. I also subjectively prefer Spades for no major reason. I did read an article from a US Navy Electrical Engineer who did some connectivity testing for submarines and found that banana connectors had worse connectivity than bare copper wire.
I am going to use some left over Swan speaker cable that came with my set of Diva speakers. They are only going to my bookshelf system in my bedroom so high dollar parts is not necessary. I just want to sleeve them and make them look really nice out of boredom.
Also, how can I be sure to match the diameter of the sleeving with the diameter of the wire? Are you guys using any type of cotton jacket or another kind of filler? I'm not sure how I should go about filling in the inner volume of the sleeving to have a somewhat tight fit.

I'm not sure about the material. But I do prefer the Emotiva plugs due to the fact the wire + pants fit within the plugs without problem (clean finish). In the case of the Monoprice the diameter of the wire/pants was to wide and therefore the finish wasn't that great.

One more thing, while plugging the Monoprice bananas on my amps, they feel pretty loose. On the other hand, I plugged the Emotivas and they fit perfectly. And, finally............they look way cooler with my black sleeves........wink.gif

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post #2054 of 2777
8/2/12 at 12:14pm
Here is some I did using light grey techflex and nakamichi plugs...I think they turned out pretty good.





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post #2055 of 2777
8/2/12 at 12:22pm
Looking good, fellas cool.gif.
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post #2056 of 2777
8/2/12 at 12:49pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by wlcohen View Post

Do I need anything else?

Maybe some shrink wrap?

Quote:
Does the techflex heat shrink or you just slide it over the wire?

It slips over. Go with a bit larger size then the measured outside diameter of the cable you're going be covering. If you go with too small of a diameter, the sleeve will expand and expose the wire casing underneath. Over all, sleeving is relatively low cost and it never hurts to buy a couple different colors or sizes to play with.
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post #2057 of 2777
8/2/12 at 12:54pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by BeeMan458 View Post

Maybe some shrink wrap?

It slips over. Go with a bit larger size then the measured outside diameter of the cable you're going be covering. If you go with too small of a diameter, the sleeve will expand and expose the wire casing underneath. Over all, sleeving is relatively low cost and it never hurts to buy a couple different colors or sizes to play with.

so is the 1/2" sleeve the right size for this speaker wire? http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10239&cs_id=1023901&p_id=2817&seq=1&format=2&ref=cj

where would I use the heat shrink?
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post #2058 of 2777
8/2/12 at 1:06pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by wlcohen View Post

so is the 1/2" sleeve the right size for this speaker wire? http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10239&cs_id=1023901&p_id=2817&seq=1&format=2&ref=cj
where would I use the heat shrink?

I normally use 3/8" techflex for Monoprice 12AWG & 14AWG inwall speakerwire. Heat shrink can be used to adhere the techflex to the outer jacket, but electrical tape can be used as well.
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post #2059 of 2777
8/2/12 at 3:39pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by holt7153 View Post

.....but electrical tape can be used as well.

eek.gif

Eweeeeeeeeee!!!!!!

tongue.gif
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post #2060 of 2777
8/2/12 at 3:51pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by wlcohen View Post

so is the 1/2" sleeve the right size for this speaker wire? http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10239&cs_id=1023901&p_id=2817&seq=1&format=2&ref=cj
where would I use the heat shrink?

I would only use 3/8
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post #2061 of 2777
8/2/12 at 3:52pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by wlcohen View Post

Want to make some cable but need some help
- I know to use this cable - http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10239&cs_id=1023901&p_id=2817&seq=1&format=2
- 12 gauge wire pants - http://www.ebay.com/itm/KnuKonceptz-12-Gauge-Speaker-Cable-Wire-Pants-Boots-/390331133310?pt=US_Audio_Cables_Adapters&hash=item5ae18c6d7e#ht_1257wt_1396
Not sure about the Techflex , do I want the 1/2" - http://www.ebay.com/itm/1-2-BRAIDED-EXPANDABLE-SLEEVING-BLUE-TECHFLEX-25ft-/360278681379?hash=item53e2486723&item=360278681379&pt=Car_Audio_Video&vxp=mtr ?
Do I need anything else?
Does the techflex heat shrink or you just slide it over the wire?

3/8 flex
10mm pants from pe
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post #2062 of 2777
8/2/12 at 3:52pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by BeeMan458 View Post

eek.gif
Eweeeeeeeeee!!!!!!
tongue.gif

If it's covered by the cable pants it doesn't really matter if you use heat shrink or tape (as long as it holds).
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post #2063 of 2777
8/2/12 at 3:55pm
Modified sub cable



Speaker cables



Amp interconnects

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post #2064 of 2777
8/2/12 at 4:03pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by holt7153 View Post

If it's covered by the cable pants it doesn't really matter if you use heat shrink or tape (as long as it holds).

As long as the cable has it's pants on. In my mind I saw black electrician's tape flapping about as the finished product. tongue.gif
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post #2065 of 2777
8/2/12 at 5:41pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by cr136124 View Post

Welcome to the party!!!
Are you planning on building your own cables soon? If yes, don't forget to post pics of your cables

I'm contemplating it. My longest run would be 45' followed by 35' and three 10' runs. I'm not sure if I have the will to see it through, specially with it all set up nicely.
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post #2066 of 2777
8/2/12 at 6:12pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by hyperactiveme View Post

I'm contemplating it. My longest run would be 45' followed by 35' and three 10' runs. I'm not sure if I have the will to see it through, specially with it all set up nicely.

simple
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post #2067 of 2777
8/4/12 at 7:07am
Quote:
Originally Posted by jgourlie View Post

Here is some I did using light grey techflex and nakamichi plugs...I think they turned out pretty good.

Very nice. For me, I just got a blank plate, drilled a hole in it just large enough for the cable, and brought it straight out of the wall. That way I have no breaks in the wire all the way from my AVR to the speaker. And it's cheaper to boot!
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post #2068 of 2777
8/4/12 at 7:44am
FYI. Trying to save effort, one should be able to find cover plates with a hole already pre-positioned in the plate at places like Home Depot or Lowes.

Not knocking your effort as basically, I did the same thing and went a step further than what you suggest in that I didn't put a cover plate on the wall and simply mounted the speaker over the point in the wall where the speaker cable exits the wall. What's to care about as the speaker acts as it's own cover and the opening in the wall is no larger than the cable itself? What I'm describing is my current project of relocating the back surrounds and I might add, not having exposed wires has a very, very high WAF.

Bragging here, we live in a pier post foundation constructed home with three and four feet clearance under the living room floor. And there's no A/C duct work nearby to get in the way of installing wires up into the wall or floor behind the entertainment credenza. This coupled with a very large crawl space opening on the side of the house as opposed to closet access. Yeah baby! biggrin.gif

(Small print; all cables installed in the aforementioned enclosed walls are CL2 rated)

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Edited by BeeMan458 - 8/4/12 at 8:18am
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post #2069 of 2777
8/4/12 at 8:32am
Ya, but the hole is slightly too big. I like my holes tight!
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post #2070 of 2777
8/4/12 at 9:43am
Quote:
Originally Posted by flyng_fool View Post

Ya, but the hole is slightly too big. I like my holes tight!


Addressing your above, I create the initial hole in the sheetrock with a flat blade screw driver and purposely expand the hole with a pair of needle nose pliers. From the front, this gives a tapered hole which, as needed, one expands at the back with the tip of the flat blade screwdriver the original hole was made. This maintains the tight tolerances one might seek to maintain. And if one must, seal the edges between the cable and the wallboard with siliconized, latex caulk and use a damp, kitchen paper towel clean-up. Doesn't get any tighter than that.
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