You talked me into it - making a set of skr cables:

[itschris]

... I bought the Calibrines for the front and center because you can see them and I wanted some nice looking cables.

I'm not as concerned about the rear surrounds because the cables are almost completely hidden and I couldn't bring myself to spend $150 for cables I can't see, so... I decided to take your guy's advice and make my own... but I got some questions:

1) at wirecare.com, which braided jacket do I used for 14 guarge. I just want the black.

2) How do I split the wires at the end and shrink wrap 2 wire into the one where it splits

3) Do i run the shrink wrap over the end of the braided jacket?

 

[jaxvon]

1. I would use this in the size that's right. Buy the size that is slightly smaller than your speaker cable diameter so it stretches a little and stays taut.

2. Speaker cable pants is an option. You can get them from Parts Express. I should note that PE also carries Techflex, which might reduce shipping costs.

3. Yes. This will prevent it from getting frayed.

 

[itschris]

Thanks for the info. Let's say I use 12 or 14 guage from the wallplate to the speaker, what diameters should I get for the speaker pants, the heatshrink and braid? Do I heatshrink the wire first then put the braid over it? I'm thinking that I fit the braid on the wire, add the speaker pants, then just put heatshrink on places where things meet.

Is that right? What diameter should I use for this stuff.

 

[jaxvon]

I'm thinking that I fit the braid on the wire, add the speaker pants, then just put heatshrink on places where things meet.

Is that right? What diameter should I use for this stuff.

Your intuition is correct. As for what diameter you use, it is dependent on how large of wire you decide to use. A popular choice with DIY is the Canare 4S11, as it tends to be flexible and look good once braided because it is fairly fat and impressive. But you can do any size wire you want, just make sure the braiding is a little smaller nominally. For instance, if you're getting wire that has a diameter of 3/8", you would want 1/4" sleeving. The size of heatshink and speaker pants you use is determined by the size of the wire/braid assembly. PE carries both 2:1 and 3:1 heatshrink.

Heatshrink Tubing

 

[itschris]

I just looked at that cable... since each cable has four wires, I would braid the two like wires then strip just the ends and combine into one banana plug and do the same for the other terminal. I think that would look just like the Calibrines - http://www.calabrine.com/collections/speaker-cables/products/quadio-standard-pair

Are there other option instead of speaker pants? I see a lot of cables that have a small housing where the positive and negative split out. Is that braided jacket similar in appearance to what is used on those Calibrine cables I linked?

btw - thanks for all the help. I'm sorda looking foward to making these.

 

[itschris]

I just saw on Bluejean cable that they go over just about the entire process. I'm placing my order now.

I'm gonna braid each terminal with the Canare then shrink wrap it with red and black. I'm also gonna get that braided jacketing for the outside of the cable.

 

[jaxvon]

I just saw on Bluejean cable that they go over just about the entire process. I'm placing my order now.

I'm gonna braid each terminal with the Canare then shrink wrap it with red and black. I'm also gonna get that braided jacketing for the outside of the cable.

Let me know how the cables turn out. Better yet, pictures!