It has been great to see so many folks weigh in and provide input on my search to build quality cables that are the correct length and not spend an arm and a leg. I plan on using the PermaSeal connectors but I need to choose between two types of cables.

For those of you using RG59 and PermaSeal connectors does the center conductor of the RG59 need to be solid or can it be stranded? The reason I ask is that Belden makes a stranded RG59, #1505f, that is more flexible than the RG59 1505a cable which has a solid conductor.

Thanks again for all your help!

AvFan,

I use solid center conductor RG59. Stranded did not work well with compression connectors.

If you use stranded, make sure you get the proper connectors. There are different types for solid and stranded.

I have purchased Permaseal RG59 RCA connectors and the Steren tool from Cables For Less and Belden RG59 #1505A (with a solid center conductor) from Westlake Electronics. Westlake had reasonable prices for colored cables that matched the colored bands on the Permaseal connectors.

Thanks to all that contributed info during my search. I will post my impressions of the process after I have made a few cables.

Custom cabling is wonderful if you've got the time, patience and proper equipment. It makes things so much less cluttered in the back. The Belden cable should make a nice interconnect.

Cheers,

My supplies should arrive tomorrow and I expect to make a few cables this weekend. I have a question regarding cable stripping of those that have used the PermaSeal 75 ohm RCA connectors. The Steren site says the cable preparation is "1/4" - 1/4" ". Does that mean that 1/4" of the center conductor is exposed along with 1/4" of the outer braid? Thanks!

That's correct, AvFan. You can use one of these cable strippers from RatShack, and adjust it to do both jobs at once. Very handy if you don't already have one.

Thanks, Sluggo! The Steren (PermaSeal) site was not real helpful defining the way the cable was to be stripped. I picked up the RS stripper today in anticipation of my supplies arriving tomorrow. I'll post my results after make a few cables this weekend.

not to sell the thread, but is r59 cable directional or is that a marketing ploy ,because I just bought some sub cables from cables for less, they are belden 1505f with the canare ends, very nice cables and a 35 foot and 50 foot together cost less than one monster bass 300 I replaced.

Non-directional.