Reply "The Right Tools. Period." Posted by Kurt

: And right then and there, that extraction tool became invaluable. :-> : Did you like the pin inserter as much as I told you you would?

I can't imagine trying to do Elcos without the crimper, extraction, and insertion tools. They would simply be a nightmare. I must have inserted and removed those pins 4 or 5 times while I was going through the "learning curve".

There is no way you could do that, non-destructively, without the right tools. It seems like a lot of money up front, but doing it without them would be insane.

Kurt

Reply Posted by Timothy J. Trace on December 28, 2001

There is no way you could do that...without the right tools...doing it without them would be insane.

Kurt:

I've done it. Chip's done it, too. I bet we both feel the same way: never ever again.

Best regards,

Tim

Reply "Another suggestion" Posted by Another Dave on December 28, 2001

It's a good idea to have empty pin blocks to mate to your Elcos for protection during transport.

Be sure to chain them to the cable ends so they don't get lost.

Great job!

Dave "I love multipins" Dermont

Reply "Good Suggestion" Posted by Kurt on December 28, 2001

: It's a good idea to have empty pin blocks to mate to your Elcos for protection during transport. Be sure to chain them to the cable ends so they don't get lost.

Already on order!

Reply "One Suggestion" Posted by Chip on December 28, 2001

Kurt,

very well done.

One suggestion from the "where the hell did that screw go" department. Removable thread locking compount on all the body screws as well as the screws holding the pinblock into the body.

Also, get yourself a nice fat padded replacement knob from the electronics store. The shaft for connecting the units together is pretty close to the same size as a regular pot shaft. The big fatty will be much easier on the hands.

Did anyone tell you about the straw trick?

Chip

Reply "Straw Trick?" Posted by Kurt on December 28, 2001

: One suggestion from the "where the hell did that screw go" department. Removable thread locking compount on all the body screws as well as the screws holding the pinblock into the body.

I thought of that, but figured I'd wait until I put one gig on the snake. I verified every connection with a multi-meter, but putting live signal through it will be the real test. Once I'm satisfied that everything works, I'll put some thread sealer on the screws. Good idea!

: Also, get yourself a nice fat padded replacement knob from the electronics store. The shaft for connecting the units together is pretty close to the same size as a regular pot shaft. The big fatty will be much easier on the hands.

I'll keep my eyes open for a nice knob. The one that comes with it does the job, but some extra leverage would be nice.

: Did anyone tell you about the straw trick?

Nope. Ok, I'll bite. "What's the straw trick, Chip?"

Response Posted by Chip on December 28, 2001

: Nope. Ok, I'll bite. "What's the straw trick, Chip?"

Kurt,

Inside the sonnector you should slide a short section of drinking straw over the turning shaft. This will keep the shaft from rubbing the jackets of wires pushing against it. Cheap insurance for the price of a straw

Chip

Response "Done" Posted by Kurt on December 28, 2001

: Inside the sonnector you should slide a short section of drinking straw over the turning shaft. This will keep the shaft from rubbing the jackets of wires pushing against it. Cheap insurance for the price of a straw

You guys rock! Thanks for the great idea!

Response Posted by jack arnott on December 28, 2001

: Inside the sonnector you should slide a short section of drinking straw over the turning shaft. This will keep the shaft from rubbing the jackets of wires pushing against it. Cheap insurance for the price of a straw

: Chip

Just shows that if you are not careful you can learn something everyday.
Nice tip.

Jack

Reply Posted by biffdatech on December 29, 2001

: : Inside the sonnector you should slide a short section of drinking straw over the turning shaft. This will keep the shaft from rubbing the jackets of wires pushing against it. Cheap insurance for the price of a straw

: : Chip

: Just shows that if you are not careful you can learn something everyday.
: Nice tip.

: Jack

Too true! Another one is the flexible tubing (aquarium airline?) that many lighting techs carry for fixing fog/haze machines. Works in a pinch, if he has the fine size stuff. oh yeah- Tell him you took it! lol

Reply Posted by Geri O on December 28, 2001

Hi, Kurt, an outstanding job of documenting your project (great pics, too!). I must say that I haven't had the trouble keeping enough of the original jacket to get under the strain relief, but I have several dozen Elco projects behind me and the first was indeed a real bitch, LOL. However, what you've done should be fine. If one wants to cut back the jacket for easier handling of the pins while inserting them into the block, I would suggest using waterproof electrical tape to cover the exposed lines that will be under the strain-relief. I'm referring to the stuff that is VERY elastic and sticks to itself with no adhesive, I can't recall the official name of it, someone help me here. I've been able to repair torn jackets (if the lines weren't damaged, of course) on snake cable and jackets that have shrunk away from the strain-relief end with this tape. What I really like about this tape is that if you stretch the tape as you apply it to the wires, it will grip the wires really well and you can tighten down the strain-relief for a good grip on the tape without pinching the wires under the tape. Three layers of tape should be plenty, it builds up diameter pretty quickly. Use the 3M stuff, other brands don't stick to themselves as well.
The other thing I'd mention is to get either some 1/8" or 3/16" heatshrink and use about a 1/2" long piece for the spot where the drain wire heatshrink and the line's insulation meet. My experience with using plain electrical tape on something line this is that it will eventually unwrap and make a sticky mess, although I'll admit that there's not much room inside an Elco shell for anything to move around much, LOL.
Again, you've done really well. Congrats to you and the missus.
Geri O

Reply Posted by Simon Willett on January 02, 2002

:I'm referring to the stuff that is VERY elastic and sticks to itself with no adhesive, I can't recall the official name of it, someone help me here.

Self Amalgamating Tape - good stuff - but I use Joules' trick, need to take care on *short* lengths though - don't wanna end up shifting some of the internal pairs with the outer jacket.

Simon

Reply Posted by dave stojan on December 28, 2001

Hi Kurt,

Well done! What a wonderfully thoughtful thing for you to do! Just a couple of of questions:

1) Do you suppose they made the hood so you can put it on after all the connections baseed on the field responses of those who forgot to slide the hood over the cable BEFORE on the protoype version that didn't? :o)

2) vitesse.com - are you involved with semiconductors?

Thanks again - your missus takes super pictures (lights, angle, etc.). The problem with talented folks like you is you make it look too easy!

Very best regards & Happy New Year to you and yourne - Dave

Reply "How Many Times" Posted by Kurt on December 28, 2001

: 1) Do you suppose they made the hood so you can put it on after all the connections baseed on the field responses of those who forgot to slide the hood over the cable BEFORE on the protoype version that didn't? :o)

This is my first experience with Elco. I thought through the process first before I cut anything. I made sure to slide the hood down the wire before I made any connections. Turns out you don't have to! The hood comes apart from the side, allowing you to slide it on AFTER you've put the thing together. I wish I had known that when I did the first side, cause getting the hood slid back over the top of the draw screw is a bitch!

: 2) vitesse.com - are you involved with semiconductors?
I write firmware for embedded fibre channel enclosure management devices. SSC100, VSC120, etc. My firmware runs chips that manage storage subsystems. Direct attach, in band and out of band managment. (Which has nothing to do with sleazy band managment!)

: Thanks again - your missus takes super pictures (lights, angle, etc.). The problem with talented folks like you is you make it look too easy!
I will be sure to pass on your compliments.

Happy New Year!
Kurt

Reply Posted by david b. on December 28, 2001

: Hi Kurt,

: Well done! What a wonderfully thoughtful thing for you to do! Just a couple of of questions:

: 1) Do you suppose they made the hood so you can put it on after all the connections baseed on the field responses of those who forgot to slide the hood over the cable BEFORE on the protoype version that didn't? :o)

: 2) vitesse.com - are you involved with semiconductors?

: Thanks again - your missus takes super pictures (lights, angle, etc.). The problem with talented folks like you is you make it look too easy!

: Very best regards & Happy New Year to you and yourne - Dave

...and no visible mess on the bench...

David B.

Reply "Please Dave! Put This In The Study Hall" Posted by Jeff Cressionnie on December 28, 2001

Great job!!! Wish I had access to this article prior to my first Elco project. This definitely needs to be in the Study Hall.

Jeff

Reply Posted by Matt Ruggeri on December 28, 2001

Cool, I was waiting for Part II !
: "Note the electrical tape protecting the drains from touching."
I don't know if you caught my follow up before, but I use a very small peice of shrink wrap over where the drains are shrink wrapped. makes sleeping a little easier at night!
Nice work again, better than I did on my first one!

Reply Posted by Kurt on December 28, 2001

: I don't know if you caught my follow up before, but I use a very small peice of shrink wrap over where the drains are shrink wrapped. makes sleeping a little easier at night!

I would have used shrink, but it was 11:00 pm and I didn't have any that fit, and a gig the next day (I know, I know). Sometimes you just gotta run what ya brung.

I will definitely do shrink on the next one!

Reply Posted by Matt Ruggeri on December 29, 2001

: I would have used shrink, but it was 11:00 pm and I didn't have any that fit, and a gig the next day (I know, I know). Sometimes you just gotta run what ya brung.

I hear ya