15 Sep
2014
15 Sep
'14
1:19 a.m.
On 09/14/2014 03:58 PM, Dave G4UGM wrote:
Whilst I prefer solder, many folks say crimp is best.
The problem with
solder is that it creates a stress point where the solder "ends" so if the
cable moves the cable can fracture. The heat can also alter the temper of
the cable and make it brittle. (Unlike steel some copper alloys harden with
slow cooling). This probably isn't an issue with most classic computer
projects....
I don't know, Dave. I work with brass a copper a lot, but not the
electrical kind, but the sheet metal sort. Generally speaking, heating
*anneals* nonferrous metals; cold-working hardens and eventually makes
them brittle.
For example, if I'm forming a piece of sheet copper using hammers and
rollers, I need to heat the copper to redness periodically, or it will
crack during working--at which point it's scrap. Copper is less
forgiving in this respect than brass.
So it seems to me that heating makes copper more malleable, rather than
brittle.
To solder or not is probably a debate that will go on for a long time.
But you do what you have to...
Back when I was running a lot of RG-58 thinnet, I picked up large lot of
surplus "no solder" BNC connectors, then noticed that they were made for
RG-59 (75 ohm, not 50). Rather than throw the lot out, I picked up a
few feet of thinwall copper tubing, threaded it to match the thread in
the connector and then soldered the RG-58 sheild into small lengths of
tubing, then screwed the tube and coax into the connector. It worked
for at least a decade on several 50 ft. runs until I finally pulled the
stuff out and replaced it with Cat 5 UTP.
--Chuck