TIP: Dust cap for on-end 1/4 inch sockets

[N_Cook]

A large Behringer mixer returns with intermittant loss of one or both
channels due to being used outdoors and dust/damp getting on the L&R
Main Insert bypass contacts. As the main inserts are rarely used I
decided to add a pair of captive dustcaps, after replacing the sockets
this time . It just happens the hex "nut" part of F connectors is the
same thread of these metal bushed sockets. 2 part crimp type with a core
barrel and a larger cylinder crimped over, in normal use. Ground off the
inner cylinder and ground a slight slot in the remaining disc, that is
free to rotate in the hex, to take some silicone sleeving. That sleeving
swathed in coloured hotmelt, filling the exposed top part of the disc .
The other sleeve-end knotted to a solder tag using a convenient fixing
screw. Then a disc of rubber cut with leather punch to go inside the hex
, to seal to the top of the socket, on screwing down the hex.

 

You got lucky, there are a bunch of different sizes of those threads, at least here in the land of the rapeable consumersheeple.

 

[whit3rd]

On Monday, August 24, 2015 at 7:54:12 AM UTC-7, N_Cook wrote:

A large Behringer mixer returns with intermittant loss of one or both
channels due to being used outdoors and dust/damp getting on...
... the hex "nut" part of F connectors is the
same thread of these metal bushed sockets.

If, as seems likely, the thread is 3/8-24, you might consider off-the-shelf
sources, as well
<http://www.ebay.com/itm/Chrome-Acorn-Cap-Nuts-10-Pack-Choose-Your-Size-/251065531947?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&var=&hash=item3a74abfe2b>

The common electric lamp threaded tubing is 3/8-24 thread, and I recall seeing such
threaded fittings (couplings, decorative bits, and caps) in a wide variety.

 

[whit3rd]

On Tuesday, August 25, 2015 at 1:16:53 PM UTC-7, whit3rd wrote:

On Monday, August 24, 2015 at 7:54:12 AM UTC-7, N_Cook wrote:
...
... the hex "nut" part of F connectors is the
same thread of these metal bushed sockets.

If, as seems likely, the thread is 3/8-24...

Drat, I just checked; F connectors are 3/8"-32 tpi (threads per inch)
.... I'm opposed in principle to cross-threading a mismatched part.

 

On Tue, 25 Aug 2015 13:16:48 -0700 (PDT), whit3rd <whit3rd@gmail.com>
wrote:

On Monday, August 24, 2015 at 7:54:12 AM UTC-7, N_Cook wrote:
A large Behringer mixer returns with intermittant loss of one or both
channels due to being used outdoors and dust/damp getting on...
... the hex "nut" part of F connectors is the
same thread of these metal bushed sockets.

If, as seems likely, the thread is 3/8-24, you might consider off-the-shelf
sources, as well
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Chrome-Acorn-Cap-Nuts-10-Pack-Choose-Your-Size-/251065531947?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&var=&hash=item3a74abfe2b

The common electric lamp threaded tubing is 3/8-24 thread, and I recall seeing such
threaded fittings (couplings, decorative bits, and caps) in a wide variety.

Threaded pipe for lamps is 3/8 IP. This thread is an old straight pipe
thread designation and the pitch is 27 threads per inch. This is the
most common thread and it dates back to the 19th century. The O.D. is
actually a nominal .405". There are larger threads and one smaller.
The smaller is a 1/4-27 thread. Not 1/4 pipe but .250" O.D. and is not
very common.
Eric the machinist

 

[N_Cook]

On 25/08/2015 22:01, etpm@whidbey.com wrote:

On Tue, 25 Aug 2015 13:16:48 -0700 (PDT), whit3rd <whit3rd@gmail.com
wrote:

On Monday, August 24, 2015 at 7:54:12 AM UTC-7, N_Cook wrote:
A large Behringer mixer returns with intermittant loss of one or both
channels due to being used outdoors and dust/damp getting on...
... the hex "nut" part of F connectors is the
same thread of these metal bushed sockets.

If, as seems likely, the thread is 3/8-24, you might consider off-the-shelf
sources, as well
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Chrome-Acorn-Cap-Nuts-10-Pack-Choose-Your-Size-/251065531947?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&var=&hash=item3a74abfe2b

The common electric lamp threaded tubing is 3/8-24 thread, and I recall seeing such
threaded fittings (couplings, decorative bits, and caps) in a wide variety.
Threaded pipe for lamps is 3/8 IP. This thread is an old straight pipe
thread designation and the pitch is 27 threads per inch. This is the
most common thread and it dates back to the 19th century. The O.D. is
actually a nominal .405". There are larger threads and one smaller.
The smaller is a 1/4-27 thread. Not 1/4 pipe but .250" O.D. and is not
very common.
Eric the machinist

I happen to have a few bags of F cons laying around. These dustcaps look
the bees knees, blue sleeving and blue dome over the caps. I could have
used some fine ball chain , as some of that laying around, but in an
audio-vibrational environment it could rattle, methought.