[sdiy] 1/4" jacks clarification

[Bob Weigel]

I'll confirm that some of the stuff all sells isn't too hot in the jack 
department.  The same can be said of some of the jacks I've gotten from 
mouser etc.  One of the real problems arises where the pot metal is 
scrunched at the hole.  Usually there's just a pressure fit there and 
eventually these cheap metals will start loosening up with use and will 
then create an intermittent grounding.

Plugs can be the same way.  These cheap ones...the tip will start to 
spin if you twist it.  This means your signal is possibly going to be 
intermittent to the tip.  Here there's usually an easy fix.  Solder the 
connection that was press fitted.  You need good technique and SOMETIMES 
the blooming metals are SO potmetal that they don't want to take solder.

You never know what you're getting in the jack department from a lot of 
these cheap sources.  It can change from year to year in quality.  I 
have tried to use them a lot in past years for repairs not realizing it 
was just better to pay more and get a higher quality switchcraft or 
neutrix unit and skip the pain of making them work.  On the panel open 
1/4" jacks the scrunched metal often just breaks when you tighten the 
stupid thing down even!  Utterly frustrating.  I've soldered those 
also...and then the cheap plastic melts if you get it too hot on those 
types made in china usually.  Horrible stuff.   Don't even go there.  -Bob

megaohm wrote:

> Some people are thinking the jacks I'm selling are like the ones All 
> Electronics sells. This is 100% NOT TRUE.
>  
>   Years ago I purchased a bag of jacks from ALl Electronics. In fact, 
> I bought TWO bags of 100 jacks because I thought it was such a great 
> deal ($60 per 100). Big mistake. The jacks they sell are pieces of 
> crap with a capital 'S'. I had to replace every one I used ( that 
> meant redoing the jacks for about 25 modules!).
>  
>   Here's the problems I encountered with the All Electronics jacks:
> The tip lug (not the part you solder to) will bend when left patched 
> for too long OR if it is used often!
> The opening for the 1/4" plug is too large and too thin. The plugs 
> wiggle around making and losing contact with the tip conductor!
>  
> THE JACKS I'M SELLING HAVE NONE OF THE ABOVE PROBLEMS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
>  
> The only jacks I have come across that are as good as mine are the 
> Switchcraft 112 (which is the part I was trying to find a substitute 
> for). The hardware and solder lug style are the only differences I 
> can detect between the two. Have a look:
>  
> http://home.comcast.net/~peng5002/parts/jackspage.htm 
> <http://home.comcast.net/%7Epeng5002/parts/jackspage.htm>
>  
> I expect my jacks and the few dozen 112's I have in my system to work 
> reliaby for decades to come.
>  
> If you have any doubts, I'll send you a couple to sample (you cover 
> shipping...$2...$2.50?)
>  
>  
> Also, if you want the crappy jacks I bought from All Electronics you 
> can have them (150 or so) for $15 (that INCLUDES shipping). Perhaps 
> they would be good for an arts/scupture project. They all have clipped 
> wires attached and no washers.
>  
>  
> Thanks,
> peng