[sdiy] 0.141" vs 0.125" jacks (was: 1/8" jack recommendations)

[flightofharmony]

I've been looking into the whole 3.5mm vs. Switchcraft 0.141", even talked
Switchraft into putting a 3.5mm bushing on their 142A to see if it would
work. In summation: NO. There is just enough difference to cause all kinds
of problems. I know that many have used them reliably as 3.5mm jacks, but
even Switchcraft says they are not a suitable jack for 3.5mm situations.
Issues:
3.5mm plug --> 0.141" jack: With the 142a, the plug is too narrow to operate
the NC switch, so it won't disengage. The plug also sits at a bit of an
angle unless it can be seated against the bushing shoulder.
0.141" PLUG --> 3.5mm jack: It takes a little more effort to get the plug
in, but it will go in and work fine (usually), but it also overstresses the
bends in the contact spring and 1) may permanently bend the spring, making
the jack useless for 3.5mm plugs; 2) *will* shorten the life of the jack -
they are not intended for plugs of that size.

Also, as far as I have seen, 1/8" jackls/plugs do not exist. At all, ever. I
have yet to find any proof of them ever being manufactured. Has anybody else
ever found some?

Best regards, 

~flight
flight at flightofharmony.com
http://www.flightofharmony.com

> -----Original Message-----
> From: synth-diy-bounces at dropmix.xs4all.nl [mailto:synth-diy-
> bounces at dropmix.xs4all.nl] On Behalf Of Aaron Lanterman
> Sent: Wednesday, July 01, 2009 11:59 AM
> To: synth diy
> Subject: [sdiy] 0.141" vs 0.125" jacks (was: 1/8" jack recommendations)
> 
> On Jul 1, 2009, at 2:44 PM, Chris Muir wrote:
> 
> > On Jul 1, 2009, at 10:34 AM, Aaron Lanterman wrote:
> >
> >> Sorry, I lost you there... you said to stay away from 3.5 mm jacks,
> >> but that looks like a datasheet for a 3.5 mm jack?
> >
> > Oops... wrong link. Try
http://www.switchcraft.com/products/jack-103.html
> >
> > What was originally called a 1/8" jack was the Switchcraft "Tini-
> > Jax" series. In addition to being used by Buchla, this size was used
> > by the Arp 2600 and other early 1/8" synths. This jack is _NOT_
> > 1/8", but .141"
> 
> Thanks!
> 
> > To compare these measurements, 3.5 mm = 0.13779528" and .141" =
> > 3.5814 mm. This may not seem like a lot of difference, but it is
> > enough to keep Buchla (and other early synth) patchcords from
> > working in a modern 3.5 mm jack.
> 
> Eeeek! - now that is annoying isn't it?
> 
> So the Buchla 1/8" cords wouldn't plug into a Blacet module?
> 
> Blarg.
> 
> I remember someone (I think it was Mark Verbos) saying something like:
> "the great things about standards is there are so many to choose from."
> 
> Hmmm. My whole reason of wanting to stay Buchla-compatible for my SDIY
> stuff in the first place is I expect to pick up a 200e system at some
> point - so I guess I should go with the the .141" jacks.
> 
> Shoot, I forsee making .141" to .125" converters. Gah, that will get
> confusing!
> 
> Uhm - can you go the other way? I will a modern 3.5 mm cable connect
> OK in a Buchlaweird 3.5814 mm jack, or will it be too loose?
> 
> - Aaron
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