I use those connectors all the time and that coax does have stranded center 
conductor, I know what you mean. I usually take some thin low melt solder, 
rap it around the exposed center conductor a couple times and take the 
soldering gun and keep going back and forth on it. That way as the solder 
melts you're spreading it along the conductor and it makes the nicest job 
you've ever seen after a little while of doing it. If you don't do that you 
end up with globs but I find going back and forth eliminates that and the 
strands will stay together and it makes a better connection when you solder 
the connector.
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Tom Behler" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Tuesday, May 21, 2013 10:34 PM
Subject: Tinning the center conductor of RG8X coax


> Hi, all.
>
> I'm making up some coax jumpers with some extra RG8X coax that I have, and
> the crimp-solder PL259 connectors I bought several years ago from Joel at
> The RF Connection.
>
> These connectors are the type that you thread the center conductor through
> the pin of the connector, and solder it to the connector tip.  You then
> crimp the shield to a small metal sleve that goes over the front portion 
> of
> the connector body.
>
> The RB8X cable I'm working with has a multi-strand center conductor, and a
> few of the strands seem to want to bend in on themselves, and therefore
> touch the connector body.
>
> My thinking is that the way to avoid this issue would be to tin the center
> conductor strands prior to inserting them into the center of the connector
> and out the pin end.
>
> Does anyone have a relatively fool proof way to tin the multi-strand 
> center
> conductor with solder and a soldering iron?
>
> Still in learning curve mode here, but one of my goals in life continues 
> to
> be making successful PL259 coax connedctions independently, and I don't 
> give
> up easily.
>
> Tom Behler: KB8TYJ