Soldering cable ends?
Re: Soldering cable ends?
J B Weld has been recommended:
https://www.jb-weld.co.uk/originalepadh
I've got some, for exactly the purpose you describe, but haven't used it yet.
https://www.jb-weld.co.uk/originalepadh
I've got some, for exactly the purpose you describe, but haven't used it yet.
-
- Posts: 3436
- Joined: 10 Jul 2014, 1:12pm
- Location: Norfolk
Re: Soldering cable ends?
I use either plastic cable ends (just a tube with one closed end) of which I have a diminishing stock - just heat the end of cable with a lighter and press end into position. An other method I use, as mentioned by others above, is heat-shrink, which probably is more successful than my first method. I can see that the super glue mentioned by others could also work (it must have a use for something ) Any mothos which doesn't distort the cable is fair game - that's why the metal crimp ends aren't so good IMHO
-
- Posts: 3151
- Joined: 5 May 2009, 6:32am
Re: Soldering cable ends?
I had the same problem, once cut the strands would splay out and make it pretty well impossible to get it back into the outer cable,
When I used galvanised cable I'd soft solder them but now I use S/S I only cut them when I'm sure everything doesn't need taking apart.
In the meantime I neatly coil the wire and hold it with a cable tie. I tried super glue but it didn't work for me. I have left cables this way for months, just forgot about them.
I'll get some silver solder and give it a try.
When I used galvanised cable I'd soft solder them but now I use S/S I only cut them when I'm sure everything doesn't need taking apart.
In the meantime I neatly coil the wire and hold it with a cable tie. I tried super glue but it didn't work for me. I have left cables this way for months, just forgot about them.
I'll get some silver solder and give it a try.
Re: Soldering cable ends?
TBH as someone has already stated above, if you have good cable cutters you won't get frayed ends. The reason I used to solder ss cables was because I was making up my own cable and soldering on brass nipples. If it's just to avoid fraying get some decent cable cutters.
Re: Soldering cable ends?
Thanks for all the ideas. I have used heat shrink sleeving in the past, but found it often slipped off. Also you have to remove and re-sleeve whenever you change a component, as the sleeved portion is usually too big to go through the cable hole in the brake or derailleur.
Soldering seems a better option, but only if there is a flux which works on oily steel or stainless steel without having to splay the cable and abrade first. Regular electronics fluxed (leaded) solder and a soldering iron don't seem to cut through the grease/oil.
I have borax flux, silver solder, large and small gas torches. Has anyone else had success with this combination.
Soldering seems a better option, but only if there is a flux which works on oily steel or stainless steel without having to splay the cable and abrade first. Regular electronics fluxed (leaded) solder and a soldering iron don't seem to cut through the grease/oil.
I have borax flux, silver solder, large and small gas torches. Has anyone else had success with this combination.
Re: Soldering cable ends?
Sorry missed this first time around. I'll give it a go next time.rogerzilla wrote: ↑3 May 2021, 8:19pm The aggressive plumber's flux sold in tins is more effective than the stuff used for electronics. You may need a blowlamp rather than a soldering iron, as the cable will suck the heat away quickly.
Re: Soldering cable ends?
Set time 4-6 hours!! No thanksmikeymo wrote: ↑3 May 2021, 9:10pm J B Weld has been recommended:
https://www.jb-weld.co.uk/originalepadh
I've got some, for exactly the purpose you describe, but haven't used it yet.
-
- Posts: 1924
- Joined: 10 Jan 2014, 8:39am
Re: Soldering cable ends?
What's the problem? Put it on, go to sleep, hey fausto, it's cured in the morning.fausto99 wrote: ↑4 May 2021, 12:43pmSet time 4-6 hours!! No thanksmikeymo wrote: ↑3 May 2021, 9:10pm J B Weld has been recommended:
https://www.jb-weld.co.uk/originalepadh
I've got some, for exactly the purpose you describe, but haven't used it yet.
Re: Soldering cable ends?
I use silver solder, and Johnson Matthey tenacity 5 flux. White powder you make a slurry with water...I guess its basically Borax?
You only need a small torch to get a few millimetres of cable red hot.
As soon as its red hot, the flux melts and carries all before it; dead easy and you can dress the end so you can re-thread the cable as often as you like.
Bike fitting D.I.Y. .....http://wheel-easy.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/bike-set-up-2017a.pdf
Tracks in the Dales etc...http://www.flickr.com/photos/52358536@N06/collections/
Tracks in the Dales etc...http://www.flickr.com/photos/52358536@N06/collections/
Re: Soldering cable ends?
And fluorosilicates:
https://www.hswalsh.com/sites/default/f ... /TF272.pdf
Jonathan
Re: Soldering cable ends?
I generally solder the ends of cables. It can be tricky on some cables.
Many years ago I asked for some stainless steel flux at a marine metal workshop, they grinned but then a guy re-appeared with a jam jar with a couple of inches of liquid in and sent me on my way. Been using it ever since, but wonder if it is losing effectiveness 20 years down the line! I may be looking for new flux soon.
Cleaning the cable end is also key, I find wire wool works well after degreasing with acetone or meths. I generally use an electric soldering iron.
Many years ago I asked for some stainless steel flux at a marine metal workshop, they grinned but then a guy re-appeared with a jam jar with a couple of inches of liquid in and sent me on my way. Been using it ever since, but wonder if it is losing effectiveness 20 years down the line! I may be looking for new flux soon.
Cleaning the cable end is also key, I find wire wool works well after degreasing with acetone or meths. I generally use an electric soldering iron.
Re: Soldering cable ends?
That’s what I do as well, looks neat, stops you catching on the end, easy to remove/reapply if needed, often thin enough to thread around stuff with it still on...
A shortcut has to be a challenge, otherwise it would just be the way. No situation is so dire that panic cannot make it worse.
There are two kinds of people in this world: those can extrapolate from incomplete data.
There are two kinds of people in this world: those can extrapolate from incomplete data.
-
- Posts: 3151
- Joined: 5 May 2009, 6:32am
Re: Soldering cable ends?
If you have a good pair of cutters won't the end still fray in use? I load my bike on the car, lean it against walls etc. I think I'd snag the cable and separate the strands.
Once this happens you'll struggle to get it back into the outer.
Once this happens you'll struggle to get it back into the outer.
Re: Soldering cable ends?
What are you lot doing to fray the ends? I just use a normal alloy cable end and squeeze it diangonal with what ever is handy. Sometime I leave the end of the cable a cm long to allow for cutting back but generally I just yank the end of with some pliers and jobs done.
-
- Posts: 5327
- Joined: 27 Oct 2012, 9:13pm
Re: Soldering cable ends?
+ 2 for superglue ....
“Quiet, calm deliberation disentangles every knot.”
Be more Mike.
The road goes on forever.
Be more Mike.
The road goes on forever.