I found a local outfit that carries the techflex products., selling by the meter.
I'd like to use the tight weave version as it will hide the various wires in the bundle from view.
But I wonder if that will not make the cable too rigid? Otherwise I will use the Flexo PET
https://www.techflex.nl/shop/flexo-tight-weave/
https://www.techflex.nl/shop/flexo-pet/
They also recommend a hot knife for cutting but these start at $ 200 or so, a bit much for just a few cables. I guess I can also just cut it with scissors?
Jan
I'd like to use the tight weave version as it will hide the various wires in the bundle from view.
But I wonder if that will not make the cable too rigid? Otherwise I will use the Flexo PET
https://www.techflex.nl/shop/flexo-tight-weave/
https://www.techflex.nl/shop/flexo-pet/
They also recommend a hot knife for cutting but these start at $ 200 or so, a bit much for just a few cables. I guess I can also just cut it with scissors?
Jan
I was looking around and found some hoses from my Cpap machine about 4+' long. Cut the ends off and you have flex tubing. If anyone needs some I have 2-3 lying around. Just pay for shippingI found a local outfit that carries the techflex products., selling by the meter.
I'd like to use the tight weave version as it will hide the various wires in the bundle from view.
But I wonder if that will not make the cable too rigid? Otherwise I will use the Flexo PET
https://www.techflex.nl/shop/flexo-tight-weave/
https://www.techflex.nl/shop/flexo-pet/
They also recommend a hot knife for cutting but these start at $ 200 or so, a bit much for just a few cables. I guess I can also just cut it with scissors?
Jan
Jan:
Regular scissors are fine for this work. You may end up wasting a quarter or half a meter's worth of Techflex while you gain experience building pretty umbilicals, but the cost of the wasted Techflex pales in comparison to the cost of the hot knife. Also, the host knife fuses the Techflex at the cut, meaning you cannot expand the opening to fit over anything with a larger diameter (which would make it impossible, for example, to add a second cosmetic layer of Techflex).
In short, don't buy the hot knife until you've determined that you cannot build umbilicals using my methodology.
Regards,
Scott
Regular scissors are fine for this work. You may end up wasting a quarter or half a meter's worth of Techflex while you gain experience building pretty umbilicals, but the cost of the wasted Techflex pales in comparison to the cost of the hot knife. Also, the host knife fuses the Techflex at the cut, meaning you cannot expand the opening to fit over anything with a larger diameter (which would make it impossible, for example, to add a second cosmetic layer of Techflex).
In short, don't buy the hot knife until you've determined that you cannot build umbilicals using my methodology.
Regards,
Scott
Jan:
I neglected to address one issue in my last post: adding braided tinned copper sleeving to your cable will not materially reduce its flexibility. And regular Techflex sized the same as the braided tinned copper sleeve will very nicely hide the sleeve -- you don't need a special Techflex weave unless your heart pines for it. So don't fear to add shielding if it is advisable for your purposes.
Regards,
Scott
I neglected to address one issue in my last post: adding braided tinned copper sleeving to your cable will not materially reduce its flexibility. And regular Techflex sized the same as the braided tinned copper sleeve will very nicely hide the sleeve -- you don't need a special Techflex weave unless your heart pines for it. So don't fear to add shielding if it is advisable for your purposes.
Regards,
Scott
Scott, OK, that's good to know. I don't really need screening for the signal (a couple of kV for the electrostatic speaker) but maybe for safety in case some wire or solder connection breaks. I'll order some and see how it feels.
I'll be away to the coast next week so pick it up again after that, and report back here.
Jan
I'll be away to the coast next week so pick it up again after that, and report back here.
Jan
Just ordered some PET flex sleeving and some tinned copper screened sleeving.
I'll post some pictures when I've build a cable, should be a week or so.
Except when I am embarrased by my work 😎
Jan
I'll post some pictures when I've build a cable, should be a week or so.
Except when I am embarrased by my work 😎
Jan
I've always cut Techflex with scissors and then used a hot soldering iron to melt some of the strands together so it doesn't unravel too much. But I'm a simple man.....
The glue-lined heat shrink does do wonders once you get the Techflex under it.
The glue-lined heat shrink does do wonders once you get the Techflex under it.
Jan:
A simple and satisfying adventure awaits you. Glory be to the humble and handy umbilical cable manufacturer!
Regards,
Scott
A simple and satisfying adventure awaits you. Glory be to the humble and handy umbilical cable manufacturer!
Regards,
Scott
For my ecu's we make and sell. Rats are a big problem.
So I use wires then heat shrink. They braided wrap. In Nylon or Steel. Then on top of that again heat shrink tube. Or just leave the braided as the last wrap.
I have a friend who runs a cable shop. He gave me some braided Nylon wrap and said it was designed for the Indian Railways who also have a rat problem.
Ever since I have started using that braided nylon No complaints about rats.
My present setup is very steam punk. With plumbing parts being used as tuned ports, and so I like the idea of using the health faust steel may give it a shot.
I have a threaded drain pipe going into my speaker. You can screw it in and out to change the length and the end is flared like a trumpet. Taken from a kitchen drain.
So I use wires then heat shrink. They braided wrap. In Nylon or Steel. Then on top of that again heat shrink tube. Or just leave the braided as the last wrap.
I have a friend who runs a cable shop. He gave me some braided Nylon wrap and said it was designed for the Indian Railways who also have a rat problem.
Ever since I have started using that braided nylon No complaints about rats.
My present setup is very steam punk. With plumbing parts being used as tuned ports, and so I like the idea of using the health faust steel may give it a shot.
I have a threaded drain pipe going into my speaker. You can screw it in and out to change the length and the end is flared like a trumpet. Taken from a kitchen drain.
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