On Fri, 7 May 1999 10:02:44 -0500, you wrote:

>I  want  to make my own IDE cables.  I have found a crimping tool for
>~$20 at a place called Cablesnmore and they do offer the 40 pin sockets
>(connectors) but they are $1 each!  seems high to me.

Here's a source:

www.altex.com
800/531-5369

Ribbon Cable Connectors:

IDS40   40 pin  .84 ea
                               .70 for 25-99 units
                               .60 for 100+ units

For customizing and repairing floppy cables I bought 100 34 pin
connectors for .50 each.

>I did find complete three head 40pin cables for $1.25 each with free
>shipping at Onsale.com or a 100 pack of them for $67 with free shipping
>so have ordered those, but I would still like to make my own.

For .67 each I wouldn't fool with making cables, unless you need a special
configuration.

>I have searched several places and had troubles even coming up with
>the crimping tool.

A small hobby vice works perfectly for "crimping" these connectors.  I
got tired of walking out to the garage, so I bought a 12" (length) Stanley
wood clamp from the local hardware store. ($10?)  It's operated by one
hand with a pistol trigger grip.  The jaws are 1.5" padded hard rubber with
parallel faces.  Works great even on 3.5" scsi connectors, although I take it
slow and work back and forth in steps along the connector.

Adrian Reedy



--
Adrian Reedy - Dallas, Texas - [log in to unmask]

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