[sdiy] switching jacks

[David G. Dixon]

> My experience with any re-bent metal is it fatigues and breaks off, but
> I've
> only replaced old jacks - sorry no help here.
> 
> If they're only for your personal use, and if they're easily replaced,
> and if the seem reliable after bending, then I'd go for it.  If I was
> going to send them to someone else, I'd replace them.

I often bend my Neutrik open frame jacks a little bit just so they aren't so
stiff, and I've never had any problem with them.  The thing is, it doesn't
take much bending at all for these Switchcraft 12A's to stop connecting.
They barely connect to start with, it seems.  People say they're good, but
the look of them just doesn't fill me with confidence.  I also understand
the modern ones don't hold a candle to the older ones.

However, for the ones which became unconnected, I put a plug in part way to
get maximum flex on the main jack part in order to push it out of the way
without actually bending it, and then was able to pry the little switchy
part back towards the main jack part enough (without further bending the
jack) such that they made relatively solid contact when I pulled the plug
out.  I think they'll be OK.  I just won't be surprised if they suddenly
stop working.