Solid State Guitar Amp Forum | DIY Guitar Amplifiers

Solid State Amplifiers => The Newcomer's Forum => Topic started by: saturated on November 01, 2025, 05:49:28 PM

Title: Terminals, connectors, spades, slide on etc
Post by: saturated on November 01, 2025, 05:49:28 PM
I'm trying to get organized so I can connect devices to speakers and stuff

I ordered some connectors and these are a little bit big

IMG_20251101_135654964 (1).jpg

IMG_20251101_135704386 (1).jpg

Then I tried these and they were REALLY TIGHT

IMG_20251101_140156745 (1).jpg

IMG_20251101_140208383 (1).jpg

I thought maybe they were too narrow and I needed something in between but after further review it looks like the red ones are wide enough maybe the rolled part is tight

Meanwhile what type of pliers are you using to crimp these guys  xP

I'd like a nice tidy secure connection but it's not some needed like for military 🎖� 🪖 aircraft  :loco
Title: Re: Terminals, connectors, spades, slide on etc
Post by: saturated on November 02, 2025, 02:52:41 PM
A deep dive into the plethora of rusty crap in my garage produced these

IMG_20251102_133843577.jpg

So I proposed this

IMG_20251102_133858789 (1) (1).jpg

 xP

So it looks like I need to keep diving because I guess I still need some that just have a normal hole that I can use on the insulated connectors
Title: Re: Terminals, connectors, spades, slide on etc
Post by: saturated on November 02, 2025, 03:12:18 PM
Also my "speaker wire" is solid that might be a problem  :'(

IMG_20251102_141020175_HDR (1).jpg

Title: Re: Terminals, connectors, spades, slide on etc
Post by: saturated on November 02, 2025, 09:49:29 PM
So after further review after initial further review this initial assessment was possibly correct  :loco

IMG_20251102_133858789 (1).jpg


I just don't understand why it's angled/tapered like a wire stripper  :'(
Title: Re: Terminals, connectors, spades, slide on etc
Post by: saturated on November 03, 2025, 05:40:13 AM
Oh well mission accomplished  :tu:

Now I can plug and play

Spade connectors for speaker terminals

No more trying to make loops in the wire and wrap it around and try to screw it in without it coming off etc  :grr

IMG_20251103_043118436.jpg

And now I can input signal via RCA when needed because I got some BCA ? to RCA adapters

No more clipping probes to this and that

IMG_20251103_043127079.jpg

Then of course gtg on connecting speakers instead of hey let's wrap this around etc

IMG_20251103_043135137.jpg

 xP
Title: Re: Terminals, connectors, spades, slide on etc
Post by: g1 on November 03, 2025, 11:33:13 AM
Yes, those smaller 3/16 spade connectors can be tight.
I bought a fairly cheap ratcheting style crimp tool and it really paid off quick, works amazing.
Similar to this one:  https://www.harborfreight.com/heavy-duty-ratcheting-crimper-58325.html
Title: Re: Terminals, connectors, spades, slide on etc
Post by: Tassieviking on November 03, 2025, 03:52:36 PM
Ratcheting crimping pliers are very good to have since they apply the same force every time, I have had my set for 47 years now and they still perform flawlessly. They are so cheap these days they are almost a must have.
I have a red set, a blue set and a yellow set and also a pair of un-insulated ones that do from 0.5mm to 6mm wire, mine cost about $70 to $ 110 each 47 years ago.
Title: Re: Terminals, connectors, spades, slide on etc
Post by: Loudthud on November 04, 2025, 02:10:50 AM
I think speakers use an odd ball size, something like this:

https://www.amazon.com/FASTON-205-Quick-Disconnects-Receptacle/dp/B08XMXYK3F
Title: Re: Terminals, connectors, spades, slide on etc
Post by: g1 on November 05, 2025, 11:20:18 AM
Quote from: Loudthud on November 04, 2025, 02:10:50 AMI think speakers use an odd ball size, something like this:
I'd forgot about that in-between size (.205), which seems more common in offshore speakers.  Not a good fit if you try to jam a 3/16 on there.  I guess in fractional it would be about 13/64.