How do you solder tinsel leads to 8 gauge??

[CoilBurner]

SO I m trying to finish the LAST thing I need to do to recone my subs. Im trying to solder my dual tinsel leads directly to 8 gauge wire tha comes through the basket

Ive got the 8 gauge thru the hole coming into the basket, and the dual tinsels twisted tightly as I could, but how do you solder them together in such a small space...???

All Ive got is a 30wayy solder gun from radioshack with a skinny tip. Ive got silver solder but I just cant seem to get it hot enough or to soak in

How do you guys do this joint properly and securely??

Thanks

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[BrownVanMan 10+ year member]

solder gun is weak i use a 170 gun not a iron, and tinsel leads **** to solder. i usually get the wire, in your case the 8 gauge, tinned well full of solder then put the insel on top and heat untill solder on wire is melted then melt a bunch of solder on the tinsel directly, not iron or wire then hold steady NO MOVEMENT while cooling and hope it holds. tinning the tinsel, ive found, doesnt work.

 

[CoilBurner]

if I simply twist them together then use mechanics wire looped once around the connection to keep it secure then just put heatshrink over all that, would that be good

Or does this HAVE to be solderred??

Or I could just bite the bullet and go with terminals...

 

[subzero 5,000+ posts]

they have to be soldered. Be careful you dont burn the spider and cone... or melt the tinsel leads.

 

[audioholic 5,000+ posts]

Yet another reason 8ga speaker wire is just stupid.

 

[thorshammer1 10+ year member]

Personally I use alligator clips to hold the tinsel wire together so I'm not fighting them lol.

You can also use copper crimp caps from home depot or lowes or? They slide over the tinsel leads and then back down to the speaker wire. Crimp, solder top and bottom, shrink wrap done.

 

[Louisiana_CRX 5,000+ posts]

crimp caps work the best...use copper

 

[SPLaudio 5,000+ posts]

brownvanman dose it about the same way i do.

clamp 8g in the vise and wrap the jacket with a damp rag so it dosent melt and use a torch and tin with flux and solder. after tining use a 100watt soldering iron.