Rewiring Headphone plugs.

I know, but it can smell like copper, taste like copper, but still not be copper :)

The cables I had to repair (a few in my years) all had either multi colors on the strands of wire or they were copper with still the coating.

Its not the standard stripping a wire by taking the rubber insulation off :) But if your headphone cable is not like that, then great :) it would be easier to solder.

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Originally Posted by Colossus

I know, but it can smell like copper, taste like copper, but still not be copper :)

The cables I had to repair (a few in my years) all had either multi colors on the strands of wire or they were copper with still the coating.

Its not the standard stripping a wire by taking the rubber insulation off :) But if your headphone cable is not like that, then great :) it would be easier to solder.

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I'll check.

Edit: They aren't, one of my channels was packed next to the ground wire.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Colossus

I know, but it can smell like copper, taste like copper, but still not be copper :)

The cables I had to repair (a few in my years) all had either multi colors on the strands of wire or they were copper with still the coating.

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Yeah, the wire lacquer stuff they use is annoying. Another way to get rid of it is to burn it off with a really hot soldering iron (or propane torch :D).

But if you burn to long with a propane torch, the rubber insulation wouldnt be good anymore or burned up :) If you got a bit careless with it..

I never tried using a torch, maybe next time when I repair a headset I will give that method a try :)

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Originally Posted by Colossus

But if you burn to long with a propane torch, the rubber insulation wouldnt be good anymore or burned up :) If you got a bit careless with it..

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That part was actually a joke. I just like burning things with propane torches. ;)

Doh!

So what method would you use to remove the lacquer from the cable?

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Originally Posted by Colossus

Doh!

So what method would you use to remove the lacquer from the cable?

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Soldering iron usually does the trick. Helps if you have a temp-adjustable one so that you can turn it all the way up.

Thanks I'll keep that in mind. :)

Have one, a little weak though.

I used a 45w iron and it was not able to burn it off.. I can get my good old weller iron gun and get even hotter :)

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Originally Posted by Colossus

I used a 45w iron and it was not able to burn it off.. I can get my good old weller iron gun and get even hotter :)

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Damn, mine is only 40w.

"Yes, I understand. I am taking engineering."

hey you asked, just trying to help. circuits is a first year course here :)

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Originally Posted by thrawn86

"Yes, I understand. I am taking engineering."

hey you asked, just trying to help. circuits is a first year course here :)

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I did that to save you the trouble of further explaining. I appreciate your help. :)

The best way to get the laquer off in my experience is to use flux. I wouldn't bother with reusing that old jack either and don't try to solder the wires together, just get a new jack from somewhere like radio shack for $2, cut the cord at the bad spot and solder it to the new jack. It will look like new and if you are that rough on them you can easily reuse that jack the next time you hose it.