[sdiy] [semi-ot] making patch cables with thin console cable.

[Mattias Rickardsson]

I don't have any good advice on what exact product to buy, but it seems
like a general "avoid the lowest-budget end" makes sense. Half a year ago I
bought 10 of the cheapest gold-plated plugs available at Digi-Key or Mouser
or Farnell - don't remember more than that they were very cheap but at
least gold-plated - for just making zero-ohm shorted testing plugs for a
project.

When using them I was surprised to experience that some of them didn't fit
the jacks properly. The tip, the ring, and the plastic insulation piece in
between them were not really aligned well, so they ended up slightly too
large to fit in some jacks where I'd never had any problems with any plugs
for 15 years.

And last week I noticed that all of them had a lot of corrosion/dirt on the
"gold". After half a year! My other cables in the same place are still fine
after 10+ years, being some mid-price Cordial product with at least a brand
name on the actual plugs.

I guess you often get what you pay for. :-)

/mr

Den lör 5 sep. 2026 18:45Jimmy Moore via Synth-diy <synth-diy at synth-diy.org>
skrev:

> I got a great deal on a spool of mogami w2944, so time to revive the
> patchbay project.   This is console wire, so has a very thin OD of about
> 2.54mm:
>
> https://mogamicable.com/category/bulk/console/#gsc.tab=0
>
> I foresee this causing some challenges with audio jacks that are designed
> around much beefier wire.
>
> I'm curious if anyone had suggestions for preferred (1/4") connectors for
> this kind of thing.  I have a samson S-patch plus, so no TT or bantam jacks
> for me just yet.
>
> I suspect the recommendation will be heat shrink tubing + neutrik jacks.
> I would love to hear what you think.
>
> jimmy
>
> PS: if anyone has some spare jacks or heat shrink you would be interested
> to sell, let me know!
>
>
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