Easy way to solder center pins, BNC etc

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oh5nxo
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Easy way to solder center pins, BNC etc

Post by oh5nxo »

Frustrated with RG58 BNCs? Try this:


Drill holes in the front edge of your desk, selected sizes to hold different center pins tightly.

Get short lengths of PVC or silicone tubing to keep over the polythene, while soldering. Same length as the exposed dielectric, inner diameter to match different cables. It keeps the hot polythene in shape.

Prepare the cable, push the PVC ring over the dielectric. Tin the center wire lightly, check that every strand gets tinned. Check that it fits into the pin (at least partly) and is not too long. Insert the center pin into the hole in your desk. Wipe clean the iron. Heat the center pin from the side and melt a tiny bit of solder into the hole where the wire goes. NOT too much. If you are reusing a connector, no need to add more solder.

Heat the center _pin_ again while holding the center wire "at the mouth". Cable and pin straight, little force. Elbow on desk helps to steady your hand that's holding the cable. When the solder on the center _wire_ melts, move the cable forward, polythene butt to the pin, remove iron and hold steady while cooling. Remove PVC ring. Tug pin with pliers to catch a cold joint.

Juha
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stanogs68
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Re: Easy way to solder center pins, BNC etc

Post by stanogs68 »

oh5nxo wrote:Frustrated with RG58 BNCs? Try this:


Drill holes in the front edge of your desk, selected sizes to hold different center pins tightly.

Get short lengths of PVC or silicone tubing to keep over the polythene, while soldering. Same length as the exposed dielectric, inner diameter to match different cables. It keeps the hot polythene in shape.

Prepare the cable, push the PVC ring over the dielectric. Tin the center wire lightly, check that every strand gets tinned. Check that it fits into the pin (at least partly) and is not too long. Insert the center pin into the hole in your desk. Wipe clean the iron. Heat the center pin from the side and melt a tiny bit of solder into the hole where the wire goes. NOT too much. If you are reusing a connector, no need to add more solder.

Heat the center _pin_ again while holding the center wire "at the mouth". Cable and pin straight, little force. Elbow on desk helps to steady your hand that's holding the cable. When the solder on the center _wire_ melts, move the cable forward, polythene butt to the pin, remove iron and hold steady while cooling. Remove PVC ring. Tug pin with pliers to catch a cold joint.

Juha
can you show us some pictures ?
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oh5nxo
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Re: Easy way to solder center pins, BNC etc

Post by oh5nxo »

I'd need that third hand to take really illustrative pics.
2.4 and 3.2 millimeter holes are okay to hold BNC and N center pins. Both a bit loose though.
The gray ring in the second pic is from old style 4 core telephone cord. Happens to be just right size for RG58.

Juha
prepared_cable.jpg
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pin_holders.jpg
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stanogs68
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Re: Easy way to solder center pins, BNC etc

Post by stanogs68 »

my missus would kill me lo ,but great idea for a single lad
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Mattylad
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Re: Easy way to solder center pins, BNC etc

Post by Mattylad »

Or you could drill holes in a bit of wood and put it in your suction vise etc. :)
oh5nxo
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Re: Easy way to solder center pins, BNC etc

Post by oh5nxo »

Bit of wood nailed to plywood would double duty and cover your heirloom desk.

Third trick: transparent heat shrink over the crimp. Prevents extra bending and you still can see if/when the weave starts to get loose.
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Admiral
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Re: Easy way to solder center pins, BNC etc

Post by Admiral »

Fourth trick: Use compression BNC plugs, I've not had one fail ever, and they take about 3 seconds to fit, you do of course need the correct tool, but if you know someone in the CCTV industry then you're laughing.
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Dan13l
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Re: Easy way to solder center pins, BNC etc

Post by Dan13l »

Great tips, off to buy some heat shrink, adhesive clear would be great idea
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