Can USB cords be spliced?

[Dirtman]

That's pretty cool, it's like cold solder paste to start but melts/cures with heat. I wonder its strength on something like a cable that will see alot of stress though. Cause cold solder sucks on stuff like that. A circuit board is really never moving. Definitely got my curiosity going though.

 

[fastpakr]

It's as strong as regular solder as far as I know. Melts and reflows just like the traditional stuff.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Yea you need that to work a computer too.

@rusty ol ranger trying to pull codes...

 

[Dirtman]

@rusty ol ranger trying to pull codes...

And we all know how that episode ended.

 

[Weasel]

I'll have to google this. I've used cold solder alot over the years. Just conductive epoxy basically, it ain't great but it works. I think honestly I just need a good solder station. My small solder tool is butane so very limited heat control. When I do automotive size wires I just take the tip off and use the open flame. I'm impatient so like just hitting it with fire for a second and solder sucks right in. Don't work on tiny stuff like this though.

Soldering isn't that bad if you have the right tools. A good soldering iron, paste, and solder can make all the difference.

You could try to hammer the end back into shape, use pliers to bend it. You've nothing to lose so long as the connections are still sound.

Further still, you could go with something like this; https://www.1upkeyboards.com/shop/usb-cables/diy-cable-kits/diy-no-solder-usb-cable-kit/

Stick the wires in the holes, snap it closed and you're done. (Well, almost). There's probably other examples of no solder USB using the googles. As long as it's held firmly, there shouldn't be an issue. It uses the same method, more or less, as network cables do and they handle a much greater capacity.

 

[Dirtman]

Well I got a big pack of male USB ends from amazon like @kunar posted (It was 12 for like 5 bucks). Practiced on an old cord first but to my surprise it was actually very easy to solder together. My bluepoint butane soldering iron did the job just fine. I was pretty certain I was just gonna melt the whole thing into a mess but all it took was "wetting" the tip (I dont know soldering terminology lol) and then a quick dab onto the wire/terminal and the wire was secured. It looks clean and I tugged and pulled like hell on it and the wires didn't budge so I guess it's good.

The outer plastic shell of the USB connector just snaps on once the wires are soldered, so I put a dab of epoxy on the tip where the outer jacket of the usb cable goes into the outer shell just as a little extra insurance. This way if the cord gets pulled it's not pulling on the solder joints. I'll see if it actually still works once it dries.

A 5 dollar repair beats 50 bucks for a new tool any day.

 

[97RangerXLT]

soldering terminology: it is called "tinning" the tip not wetting

AJ

 

[Dirtman]

soldering terminology: it is called "tinning" the tip not wetting

AJ

Lol. No no I know what tinning is, I ment I just melted enough solder onto the tip that when I pressed onto the wire it transferred over without needing to actually press the solder into the wire itself. If that makes sense.

 

[MikeG]

soldering terminology: it is called "tinning" the tip not wetting

AJ

For dirtman the correct terminology would be 'pooping'.....

 

[Dirtman]

Soldering irons do not go near the butt!

 

[sgtsandman]

Well I got a big pack of male USB ends from amazon like @kunar posted (It was 12 for like 5 bucks). Practiced on an old cord first but to my surprise it was actually very easy to solder together. My bluepoint butane soldering iron did the job just fine. I was pretty certain I was just gonna melt the whole thing into a mess but all it took was "wetting" the tip (I dont know soldering terminology lol) and then a quick dab onto the wire/terminal and the wire was secured. It looks clean and I tugged and pulled like hell on it and the wires didn't budge so I guess it's good.

The outer plastic shell of the USB connector just snaps on once the wires are soldered, so I put a dab of epoxy on the tip where the outer jacket of the usb cable goes into the outer shell just as a little extra insurance. This way if the cord gets pulled it's not pulling on the solder joints. I'll see if it actually still works once it dries.

A 5 dollar repair beats 50 bucks for a new tool any day.

Just the tip?

 

[Dirtman]

Just the tip?

Go stand in the corner....


Anyway forgot I took pics.

Ain't professional quality but it works. I know I stripped to much coating off the wire but potting compound hides all mistakes.

 

[RonD]

Soldering irons do not go near the butt!

But furnaces do????



Nice job on the soldering

 

[Ramcharger90]

Ppfff that is soldering.

 

[Curious Hound]

View attachment 46699

Ppfff that is soldering.

Yes. It is soldering. Just not GOOD soldering.