Re-terminating speaker cable question

[Boomzilla]

I have a pair of Kimber Kable 12TC speaker wires. I like the wires, and they're the right length for my main speakers. What I don't like is the terminals that are on the ends. On one end is a pair of spade terminals that seems to be made of two pieces of foil with a rubber gasket between. I've switched these so many times that the foils are crumpled and the gaskets are falling out & apart. The other end has a pair of banana plugs, but the diameter is so small that they don't particularly make good contact with my speakers.

I'd like to remove the stock terminals completely and install some good, locking bananas on all ends. I have a set of GLS locking bananas already here. I'd probably use them unless y'all recommend something else.

Now to my questions. Can I just unsolder the stock Kimber stuff & put on the new tips, or did Kimber use some weird solder that doesn't melt except at "surface of the sun" temperatures? Are the set-screw connections of the GLS tips sufficient, or should I get some bananas that I can solder on? Thanks in advance for the info!

Boomzilla

[brubacca]

I tried to reterminate some Kimber speaker cable. It really was a disaster. Don't remember the number, but the way it was woven together was really frustrating. I guess I just don't have the patience or dexterity for such a small project, but it didn't go we'll. I started by cutting off the ends for a fresh start.

Good Luck.

[Boomzilla]

As I understand you, brubacca, you cut off the existing ends and then had to strip all the individual strands? Yeah, THAT would be a hassle... I don't plan to do that but rather unsolder the existing tips, leaving the "tip-bundle" together with tinned tips exposed. If they go rogue on me, I'll wrap them back together with a wire tie & then tin them into a single strand again. If they still don't want to cooperate, I've got a "solder sucker" that should clean them off enough that I can twist them together & then tin them. What do you advise?

[brubacca]

Your way sounds better than mine. Good Luck.

[The Mad Norseman]

Jul 22, 2013 20:36:42 GMT -5 Boomzilla said:

As I understand you, brubacca, you cut off the existing ends and then had to strip all the individual strands? Yeah, THAT would be a hassle... I don't plan to do that but rather unsolder the existing tips, leaving the "tip-bundle" together with tinned tips exposed. If they go rogue on me, I'll wrap them back together with a wire tie & then tin them into a single strand again. If they still don't want to cooperate, I've got a "solder sucker" that should clean them off enough that I can twist them together & then tin them. What do you advise?

"If they go rogue on me..."

LOL!
Love it!

[Boomzilla]

OK - I'll do the deed next weekend & post pictures. I noticed that my GLS bananas have a narrow collar through which the insulated wire must pass before entering the tip. The insulated bundle of woven Kimber threads may not fit through that collar. If that's the case, I'll have to use less glamorous bananas, but either way, the spades have to go.