I have this nice IEM cable that had the plastic black separator ring break off and now it won't go into any 3.5 mm
socket. How hard would it be to replace this plug?
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Broken-Can It Be Replaced?
- Thread starter Rottmannash
- Start date
OP
- Thread Starter
- #2
As everyone can see I tried to unscrew the barrel but no go.
^This.
Cut off the old one and solder a new one. I do this to our Presenters' headphones almost weekly. Horrible nasty things those 3.5mm Jacks. I try and replace them with a proper 6mm 1/4" jack whenever I can get away with it.
The cable is often tinsel wrapped round some thread, so a pig to solder, but OK once you've done it enough times
S
Cut off the old one and solder a new one. I do this to our Presenters' headphones almost weekly. Horrible nasty things those 3.5mm Jacks. I try and replace them with a proper 6mm 1/4" jack whenever I can get away with it.
The cable is often tinsel wrapped round some thread, so a pig to solder, but OK once you've done it enough times
S
OP
- Thread Starter
- #5
thanks for the replies. At least it's possible. Can you guys give me a suggestion where to buy such a plug? I can solder but not sure if something this small is in my wheelhouse but I can try and if I fail-it wasn't working anyway, right?
ZolaIII
Major Contributor
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- Jul 28, 2019
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If it fails you try it again. There are all kinds of 3.5 mm plugs, see locally what you can find. You can even use one from other old/broken cord if you have such somewhere.
Afterwards who knows me by you make your own costume cables.
Last edited:
OP
- Thread Starter
- #8
The problem is there's a distortion in the distal part of the proximal piece where the metal has expanded so it's too large to go into a socket.
OP
- Thread Starter
- #9
Thanks. I'd like to have the type where there isn't splicing involved-that never lasts long. I'll check Amazon.
You can't just fix that with a blade, or maybe a coring bit or something?
If the plug worked before the ring broke, I'd wrap some dental floss into the gap and spread some plastic glue over the floss to hold it in place. Once set, use a small file to clean up the joint and to file off the raised part so it fits the socket again.
If that doesn't work, the you'll need to replace the plug, but as soldering those thin cables can be a pain, it may be worth trying to fix the broken plug.
S
If that doesn't work, the you'll need to replace the plug, but as soldering those thin cables can be a pain, it may be worth trying to fix the broken plug.
S
OP
- Thread Starter
- #12
It would have to be ground down.
Helicopter
Major Contributor
I always refer to @Wayne A. Pflughaupt 's cable making tutorial for information on soldering and connectors. It is a great resource.
Often, with very small wires like 30AWG or whatever, I find I can strip them with a fingernail and spare all the strands. Depends a bit on the insulation. I get parts from Mouser or Parts Express. Ali express is a good source too if you can wait. My last Mouser order took a couple weeks to come. PE is always super fast, but they are also only a few hundred miles from here.
Often, with very small wires like 30AWG or whatever, I find I can strip them with a fingernail and spare all the strands. Depends a bit on the insulation. I get parts from Mouser or Parts Express. Ali express is a good source too if you can wait. My last Mouser order took a couple weeks to come. PE is always super fast, but they are also only a few hundred miles from here.
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