Headphones "Y"-cables. - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

G6Tanuki · 2nd Jul 2016, 5:56 pm

The original "Y"-cable between the jack-plug and the 2 earpieces of my trusty DLR5s having long since crumbled away to nothingness and been lost, what's the generally used thing these days?

I'm not that bothered about original appearance. Functionality's far more important in this case.

The original was 4-core 'tinsel' cable with a cotton braid; at the point it divided into two to feed the 2 earpieces, 2 cores went each way, through smaller-diameter cotton braid and the junction was bound with waxed-cotton thread.

Is 'tinsel' cable still available? And cotton braid? if not I've wondered about using the modern black or grey nylon-braid designed for cableforms, and perhaps one of the pre-formed adhesive-lined-heatshrink "Y" sleeves for the junction.

2nd Jul 2016, 6:09 pm

Telephone leads are tinsel to this day, and why not do a proper whipped join like the original?

G6Tanuki · 2nd Jul 2016, 6:15 pm

I guess I could strip the conductors out of a phone lead to make up a 2+2; I've got an old spades-to-BT-plug cable somewhere about.
It's the overbraiding that's my biggest issue. I wonder if the braiding from the flex used for irons can be peeled off the underlying cable easily and then 'repurposed' ??

Radio Wrangler · 2nd Jul 2016, 6:32 pm

With the overbraiding etc, the Y cable on my DLRs was stiff enoough that it wasn't apparent that it was tinsel until you looked at the eyelet type terminations.

Once you have the braid sorted, some modern silicone ultra flexible test lead wire might do the job. The ends will be lovely... er.. rubbery.

David

2nd Jul 2016, 7:40 pm

Quote:

It's the overbraiding that's my biggest issue

Bootlaces!

G6Tanuki · 2nd Jul 2016, 9:06 pm

They seem a bit small-bore; not sure if I could get 2 phone-leads down one. I'm currently looking at ex-mil tent/marquee guy-rope cordage some of which seems to be a nylon-strand core with braiding slipped over it.

As a benefit it's in nice "Olive drab" too!

Nickthedentist · 2nd Jul 2016, 9:10 pm

Another suggestion: http://vintage-radio.net/forum/showthread.php?t=108785

2nd Jul 2016, 5:56 pm	#1
G6Tanuki Dekatron Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Wiltshire, UK. Posts: 13,996	Headphones "Y"-cables. The original "Y"-cable between the jack-plug and the 2 earpieces of my trusty DLR5s having long since crumbled away to nothingness and been lost, what's the generally used thing these days? I'm not that bothered about original appearance. Functionality's far more important in this case. The original was 4-core 'tinsel' cable with a cotton braid; at the point it divided into two to feed the 2 earpieces, 2 cores went each way, through smaller-diameter cotton braid and the junction was bound with waxed-cotton thread. Is 'tinsel' cable still available? And cotton braid? if not I've wondered about using the modern black or grey nylon-braid designed for cableforms, and perhaps one of the pre-formed adhesive-lined-heatshrink "Y" sleeves for the junction.

2nd Jul 2016, 6:09 pm	#2
Guest Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Headphones "Y"-cables. Telephone leads are tinsel to this day, and why not do a proper whipped join like the original?

2nd Jul 2016, 6:15 pm	#3
G6Tanuki Dekatron Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Wiltshire, UK. Posts: 13,996	Re: Headphones "Y"-cables. I guess I could strip the conductors out of a phone lead to make up a 2+2; I've got an old spades-to-BT-plug cable somewhere about. It's the overbraiding that's my biggest issue. I wonder if the braiding from the flex used for irons can be peeled off the underlying cable easily and then 'repurposed' ??

2nd Jul 2016, 6:32 pm	#4
Radio Wrangler Moderator Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Fife, Scotland, UK. Posts: 22,867	Re: Headphones "Y"-cables. With the overbraiding etc, the Y cable on my DLRs was stiff enoough that it wasn't apparent that it was tinsel until you looked at the eyelet type terminations. Once you have the braid sorted, some modern silicone ultra flexible test lead wire might do the job. The ends will be lovely... er.. rubbery. David __________________ Can't afford the volcanic island yet, but the plans for my monorail and the goons' uniforms are done

2nd Jul 2016, 9:06 pm	#6
G6Tanuki Dekatron Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Wiltshire, UK. Posts: 13,996	Re: Headphones "Y"-cables. They seem a bit small-bore; not sure if I could get 2 phone-leads down one. I'm currently looking at ex-mil tent/marquee guy-rope cordage some of which seems to be a nylon-strand core with braiding slipped over it. As a benefit it's in nice "Olive drab" too!

2nd Jul 2016, 9:10 pm	#7
Nickthedentist Dekatron Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Oxford, UK. Posts: 17,843	Re: Headphones "Y"-cables. Another suggestion: http://vintage-radio.net/forum/showthread.php?t=108785