How to Attach Spade 10 AWG Solid Copper

Driver,

That spade is small and not meant for audio speakers or amps. It was just a cheapo I had lying around to demonstrate my DIY method. On a larger audio quality spade, the circular surface area would be available as I would solder further back.

reb

I am definitely liking the solder then crimp method, it sees reasonable. The only issues are:

1. finding spade with enough room to do the solder portion such that optimal curve space can be utilized for connecting afterwards.

2. making sure the the metal to metal connection is solid as well. If the metal to metal stage is not crimped tightly then the contact point will be the soldered connection, and in that case you might as have crimped then soldered instead.

I suppose the problem (in 2.) can be eliminated buy using a screw connection, but then you might not have to solder at all.

Just my thoughts, it seems to be extremely tricky and I will certainly post my results and offer my 2 cents after I am done experimenting.

I also picked up a 66 ft spool of Teflon coated silver 22 awg, to experiment with some braid techniques; but I will save that discussion for another thread.

Here, I mounted this very spade onto a banana plug adapter. You can clearly see that in addition to the spade blades. The round nut and curved portion of the spade do indeed make contact. Torque it down and you have a superb connection! I could have soldered the solid core wire curved off to one side and that would have made more surface area available.

http://s301.photobucket.com/albums/nn76/reb1208/?action=tageditmany

I am having trouble viewing you link, it just redirects me to photobucket's homepage.

Just click on anyone of the 3 links in my earlier post above. You can then scroll thru the slide show. The latest pic is there. Audiogon for some reason is now blocking the direct link.