Cable Sleeving Sources

[Ancientflatulence]

Where do all the DIYers here get their cable sleeving and heatshrink? Should one use the adhesive type heatshrink or is it preferable to just use standard 2:1 or 3:1 stuff. Also when selecting braided sleeving should one choose one with its minimum diameter just a little smaller than the cable so that the sleeve is at its "densest" (for want of a better word) when installed.

 

Any comments on the suppliers below. I sort of favour the Techflex even though it is a bit dearer,  because an Australian or two may be employed there as it is posting things from Smithfield.

http://stores.ebay.com.au/FURRYLETTERS

http://stores.ebay.com.au/kittybabiesautocarbeautyshop

http://stores.ebay.com.au/Techflex-Braided-Sleeving-Products

[Krispy Audio]

The adhesive stuff just gets really stiff once heated. I'd just use 3:1. Polyolefin is the way to go. If you need to adhere, apply some hot glue first then it will disperse once heated. 

 

With the Techflex, it can be hit and miss with sizing. I'd advise to get two sizes if you can! 

[pete_mac]

I've used the Pro Power equivalent from Element14 for cables. It doesn't expand as much as the Techflex though, and is fairly plain-looking.
 
It does work well for providing structural integrity to DIY cables using thin solid-core wire though.
 
It's generally about a dollar or so per metre.
 
eg.http://au.element14.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=15001&langId=43&urlRequestType=Base&partNumber=1297224&storeId=10184

[Equaliser]

When I use to make cables, I stopped using techflex and moved to nylon braid with internal copper sleeve shielding because techflex is extremely microphonic.

[Guest 322]

Any links defqon?

Edited July 1, 2015 by 322

[mwhouston]

Where do all the DIYers here get their cable sleeving and heatshrink? Should one use the adhesive type heatshrink or is it preferable to just use standard 2:1 or 3:1 stuff. Also when selecting braided sleeving should one choose one with its minimum diameter just a little smaller than the cable so that the sleeve is at its "densest" (for want of a better word) when installed.

 

Any comments on the suppliers below. I sort of favour the Techflex even though it is a bit dearer,  because an Australian or two may be employed there as it is posting things from Smithfield.

http://stores.ebay.com.au/FURRYLETTERS

http://stores.ebay.com.au/kittybabiesautocarbeautyshop

http://stores.ebay.com.au/Techflex-Braided-Sleeving-Products

You can get both at Jaycar.

[Equaliser]

Any links defqon?

 

OP linked one of my sources already. ebay seller furryletters sells both nylon and techflex braiding. In my beginner days I used cables from navships in the States.

 

For the exquisite nylon and techflex stuff, there use to be a authorised Viablue seller on ebay from Germany that sold all the good stuff, not exactly cheap but you pay for what you get.

 

A lot more variety and less expensive then Jaycar.

Edited July 1, 2015 by DefQon

[TMM]

You can get both at Jaycar.

For what it's worth, the stuff from ebay US is proper Techflex branded PPS braid and the stuff at Jaycar is just some cheap PET braid.

[mwhouston]

For what it's worth, the stuff from ebay US is proper Techflex branded PPS braid and the stuff at Jaycar is just some cheap PET braid.

I only use heat shrink not additional covers, etc.

[Ancientflatulence]

 Thanks to everyone for your responses, they have been very helpful.

 

 

@DefQon have you used the ViaBlue sleeving such as this http://www.vb-webshop.eu/index.php?item=sleeve-black-1m--big&action=article&group_id=10000018&aid=306?=nl yourself? It does look rather good!

[Equaliser]

I have it is quite nice, I've had a look at a big box I still have with a whole bunch of cable making stuff from the "days" from wires to heatsink to sleeves.

 

EDIT: Ok here are some pics:

 

This is the sleeve you linked from the Viablue distributor website, except its smaller in diameter. The bigger ones look better but I don't have any left (I also have the army version as you can see, had to make 3m bi-terminated speaker cables for a client years ago, turned out quite nice would upload a pic but imageshack purged my account when they updated the servers):

 

 

Very soft and not very microphonic when you rub the cable.

 

Here is one of two types of nylon braids, zero microphonics and no cable rub noise:

 

 

Techflex braid from furryletters:

 

 

 

Overview:

 

 

Have more too, but about same stuff in other lengths and diameter/gauges. 

 

Here is what the black Viablue sleeve looks like on one of my headphones:

 

 

 

Fatter cable looks better.

Edited July 3, 2015 by DefQon

[Ancientflatulence]

Firstly, thank you very much for going to so much trouble. I do like the look of the ViaBlue sleeving, the Army pattern really surprised me as does not look so good on their website. I am guessing that the nylon braid in the second photo is not at all expandable meaning that it would have to be accurately matched to the cable size and would always remain a little loose after installation? 

 
Is the Techflex braid from Furry Letters in the third photo what they call Nylon Multifilament http://stores.ebay.com.au/FURRYLETTERS/NYLON-MULTIFILAMENT-sleeving-/_i.html?_fsub=2915157016&_sid=481644496&_trksid=p4634.c0.m322 ?
 
And in the fourth photo the PET Clean Cut  http://stores.ebay.com.au/FURRYLETTERS/expandable-sleeving-CLEAN-CUT-/_i.html?_fsub=2984962016&_sid=481644496&_trksid=p4634.c0.m322 ?

 

Thanks again DefQon, this has been most helpful. I find you can look at photos from catalogues on the computer til the cows come home but cannot really get an idea of how things really look and feel until you see it yourself or some kind person describes them for you or shows you photos such as these which show the physical properties of the products so well.

[muzzagruzz]

I bought Techflex from that place at Smithfield and my god they charge a fortune. Buy some from Krispy Audio - much, much, much cheaper. I had Cameron finish some of my cables - brilliant job! 

 

Jaycar sell the heat shrink stuff which is quite cheap. 

Edited July 3, 2015 by Trickster

[Willco]

Hi, I haven't read all this thread--sorry but if the Poster wants as I've pictured here

 

I have plenty of it--see the sizing/etc

 

If it is suitable -- tell me how long you require and I'll cut and send to you FOC for a small Donation to SNA

 

If no use /size /type/--no worries --good luck

 

Willco

 

 

[Ancientflatulence]

@@Willco ...... Thank you very much for your kind offer. 

 

Unfortunately from what I can make out from the catalogue the 1" sleeving will be too loose on my cables which are 17 & 16mm, so I will pass this time.

[Willco]

No worries Matey--Good luck

 

W

[Equaliser]

With the nylon braid sheath, you don't have to get the perfect diameter for the diameter of your cable, you can stuff quite a fair bit inside nylon braiding at the cost of the nylon braiding tightening up and shortens in length.