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Help on diy cable construction

To start this thread, I'm not a believer in expensive cables, simple as that. This is not intended to be a debate about that one way or the other so I'll spare y'all on my opinions and appreciate it if you do the same. I simply want to make some attractive speaker cables and maybe a power cord for my amp. For speaker cables, I have quite a bit of 14/2 awg with thick, very flexible clear insulation. Think MC of old. I want to wrap it in attractive PET braided material using different colors for different runs. My amp uses banana plugs. My speakers take a spade connector. For the power cords, I'll use a colored 12/3 awg SJ type cord hacked either from an extension cord or made from a few feet from a spool of black 12/3 awg SJ. I'd probably PET sheathe the latter as well. 
Questions are:
- How to size the braided PET and what vendors?
- Good source for double banana plugs and single spades?
- How to terminate the PET at the connectors?
- Attractive looking male and female plugs for the power cords? Heavy duty but not homeowner replacements.
- What is the name of the type of female plug on most electronics today? Trapezoidal almost that fits in a recess. 
- And last, should I step up to 12/2 awg for the speaker wire?
Thanks for any constructive advice...in advance.
axspike
erik_squires
15,990 posts
 
Parts Express is a great source for the braided sheaths

Parts Connexion and Sonicraft are great for the hardware

Usually you use a shrink wrap to hold the braided ends in place. Also, get a hot knife, or hot knife accessory cutter to a solder GUN (the one's with triggers and handles) to cut the pet so it doesn't unravel

Best,

E
auxinput
2,920 posts
 
Searching ebay for "techflex" will get you a lot of options.  for the 14/2, you are probably fine with 3/8" techflex, but you should probably order some 1/2" just to be sure.  It's cheap enough.
axspike OP
34 posts
 
Thanks. The physical dimensions of the speaker cable I have is 1/2" x 1/4+". It's 2 round conductors running side by side and in a "flat" 2 dimensional shape thus the 2 measurements. On closer inspection, it looks like 12 awg braided.
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