Bob:

Well, your plan is similar to what I was trying to do.

And, I think I actually am getting the vast majority of the center conductor 
through the connector pin;  but, as we all know, it only takes one 
delinquent strand to mess up the works.

Tom Behler: KB8TYJ

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Bob, K8LR" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Wednesday, May 22, 2013 9:01 PM
Subject: Re: Tinning the center conductor of RG8X coax


> Tom,
>
> I've never useed rg 8x coax, but I am aware of a problem with low loss 
> coax
> like 9913 where the center conductor is a little larger than normal and 
> you
> either have to cut off a couple of center strands of wire or use amphenol
> connectors which have a slightly larger inner diameter of the center pin 
> and
> will take the center conductor without a problem.
>
> When I solder a connector, I roll back the braid and carefully slide the
> center conductor through the center pin so about 1/4 inch of wire comes
> through the end of the pin.  Then I slowly apply solder so the solder will
> be sucked in to the pin rather than making a lump that I'll have to file
> off.  Filing off too much solder is too much work for me!(smile)
>
>
> Bob, K8LR, [log in to unmask]
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Tom Behler" <[log in to unmask]>
> To: <[log in to unmask]>
> Sent: Wednesday, May 22, 2013 8:48 PM
> Subject: Re: Tinning the center conductor of RG8X coax
>
>
> Ed:
>
> I've got a special coax stripper from The RF Connection, so I'm fine on 
> that
> score.
>
> It's just working with it and getting it successfully onto the connector
> without any shorts that I'm still struggling with.
>
> But, I'm sure I'll get the hang of it eventually.
>
> I've had much more challenging learning curves;  it's just a matter of
> getting the time to really sit down and work  things out thoroughly.
>
> Tom Behler: KB8TYJ
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Ed Malmgren" <[log in to unmask]>
> To: <[log in to unmask]>
> Sent: Wednesday, May 22, 2013 6:44 PM
> Subject: Re: Tinning the center conductor of RG8X coax
>
>
>> Tom, also cut coax with cutters that don't flatten or flare the wire.  73
>> Ed   K7UC
>>
>> --------------------------------------------------
>> From: "Steve Forst" <[log in to unmask]>
>> Sent: Wednesday, May 22, 2013 4:06 PM
>> To: <[log in to unmask]>
>> Subject: Re: Tinning the center conductor of RG8X coax
>>
>>> Tom,
>>>
>>> The best way to solder is the same way to get to Carnegie Hall:
>>> "Practice man, practice."
>>>
>>> Try some practice runs on some scrap wire.    Heat the wire with the gun
>>> and give it a few seconds, then touch the solder to the wire and if it
>>> is hot enough, the solder will flow.  Don't overdo it, too much solder
>>> will make lumps and bumps that  might make it hard to insert into the
>>> center pin if  it  is a close tolerance to begin with.
>>>
>>> Something else you can try:  Strip the coax maybe  an inch and a half
>>> longer than  you would normally do.   When you've pulled off the waste
>>> parts you will have  a much longer stripped center conductor.  You can
>>> grab this with your fingers and *gently* insert into the connector and
>>> feel for the hole of the center pin and slip it through. Slide the
>>> connector down all the way, check for shorts, then snip off the excess
>>> center conductor  protruding past the tip.    I've found this works
>>> pretty well for me.
>>>
>>> Also,  when stripping the coax and pulling off the waste center
>>> insulation, be sure  the end of the stranded wire didn't try and unravel
>>> a bit  Snip off any  little  bits at the end if needed.  When
>>> you think you have it ready to go, try inserting into  the other end of
>>> the center pin.  If it won't go in that way, figure out why before
>>> trying to insert the correct way.   This is also good to try if you
>>> solder the wire.   If it won't go in from the open end, it won't go in
>>> from inside the connector.
>>>
>>> 73, Steve KW3A
>>>
>>> On 5/21/2013 10:34 PM, Tom Behler wrote:
>>>> 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
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>
>