Question Jack Plug query

[Spudmurphy]

I know it's not EB related but I was wondering if I could possibly post this query here please?

I am looking to buy this type of jackplug so that I can house an EP booster on my pedalboard. The beauty of this jack is that there is very little "shoulder" on it and would enable me to locate the pedal in a cramped space.
Cheers

Spud

 

[Spudmurphy]

Found 'em - here they are

6.35MM 1/4" MONO JACK PLUG AUDIO SOLDER CONNECTOR-6.3MM: Amazon.co.uk: Electronics

Perfect for pedalboards!!!

They had 4 in stock so I got them

 

[Soulkeeper]

You can find them on fleabay too. I bought a load of them for next to nothing.

 

[Spudmurphy]

You can find them on fleabay too. I bought a load of them for next to nothing.

+1

I later saw 4 for sale with postage in total came to about ten quid.

 

[beej]

Just tuning in ... I just bought a whack of Switchcraft ones like this for a new board. I tend to buy from electronic suppliers like Digikey or Mouser. In Canada, Digikey has next day delivery on everything. Pretty sure they're in the UK as well Spud.

 

[Spudmurphy]

Just tuning in ... I just bought a whack of Switchcraft ones like this for a new board. I tend to buy from electronic suppliers like Digikey or Mouser. In Canada, Digikey has next day delivery on everything. Pretty sure they're in the UK as well Spud.

Cheers for that Beej.

I'd spent a while trying to track the Jacks down (prolly just a couple of minutes probably ) and I couldn't find them.
Then after posting my thread I managed to find a couple of sources - ironically one (Maplins UK) is only a 10 minute walk from my house.
I'd ordered 4 from Amazon which with postage came to £10 before I realised that Maplins had them.

 

[beej]

Even better!

 

[Spudmurphy]

They are not nice to solder. The tip connection seems ok enough. But the ground!!!!

If I were to try soldering the earth to the same half of the jack that has the tip (which is centred via a plastic collar) i am sure that the plastic will melt. So that leaves me to solder the earth (I guess) to the other half? At least I can really get some heat into that.

Any tips Beej?

If my explanation is not making any sense I could post a photobucket link to photos?

 

[beej]

It's tricky. Make sure the surface is clean when you solder. The tip should be easy- doesn't require much solder. The ground, as you say, is the pain. I solder that to the same "half" that has the tip, further down the collar. It's got more mass so takes a little longer to heat up, but shouldn't cause you any problems. Give it a go and see.

 

[Spudmurphy]

Yeah Cheers Beej

I think that my soldering iron is past it. Also I think I need to get more heat into the job. I also have a 75 watt iron that I use for stainned glass/lead work in the garage - but in all honesty I think I'll wait until tommorow when I have my weekly visit to my mates guitar/amp workshop. He has temperature controlled irons and some damn good flux. I did have an "experiment" on one - I cleaned up the nickle plating by scraping away and using some emery paper, then applied some flux - The solder took to the nickle very well but then it was hard to re-pool the solder when applying the iron to the pool + ground - not enough heat me thinks?
Anyways like I said I'll take them to the expert - get him to show me how he does it and hopefully everything will be ok.

Seems an easy job - but the old adage rings true "Right tools/materials for the job"

 

[beej]

Indeed, indeed. It's the same sort of deal as soldering to the back of a pot- needs to be hot enough for the solder to flow properly, yet you won't want to overheat everything.

Cheers.

 

[Spudmurphy]

Just got back from the workshop and used his temp controlled soldering Iron - man it was so much easier. I'm gonna order me one of those solder stations for my birtday.

Job done!!