Installing Neutrik locking headphone jack?

[Jim R.]

Just wondering if there is a trick to installing the neutrik locking headphone jacks.  I've got the holes drilled but I'm wondering about the little screw head on the side of the inside barrell -- does this loosen so that a retainer ring slips off?  I've tried phillips, allen, and torx screwdrivers and nothing seems to turn the little bugger.

So, if anybody can tell me how to mount this thing, I'd appreciate it as it is not making itself obvious to me.

Thanks,

Jim

[Jim R.]

Ok, guess I just have to file the hole out a bit bigger.  I filed a notch for the screw, rivet, or whatever it is, and still can only just barely manage to get the jack in.

Of course I know about the diagonally placed mounting screw holes -- just didn't mention it in the first post.

Silly thing is that I have installed these before and don't remember it being this difficult.

Enough for the day -- back to it tomorro.

-- Jim

[Jim R.]

Note to self:  remember to set depth stop on the drill press to the size of the stepped bit that you want to use.

That was a bit d'oh moment.  Had the right size bit determined, just set the stop for one that was somewhat narrower.

Now it fits perfectly -- no motion in the plane of the plate, but can rotate just enough to square it up with the edges.

Now just a very quick, light coat of paint to cover up a couple of the scratches I made when drilling out this hole and widening the one for the 9-pin socket as I have decided to use an azuma there instead of the teflon.  Not at all happy with how close the wires on the teflon socket and see that as a real potential future problem area.

-- Jim

[Doc B.]

Note to self:  remember to set depth stop on the drill press to the size of the stepped bit that you want to use.

That was a bit d'oh moment.  Had the right size bit determined, just set the stop for one that was somewhat narrower.

Better than setting it to stop at the step that is one size bigger than you wanted to use. Not that I've ever done that or anything. Since the topic is step drill mishaps, I'll mention one other one. Using a good lube on the bit will help keep the chip to the minimum. I used to just plunge the bit in dry and often I would get a long chip that would swirl around the surface of the chassis plate and mark it up. Mossback (Dan Hayes) gave me a neat block of lube that is quite waxy, that works really well to treat the bit before cutting and minimizes the chip marking up the finish.

[Jim R.]

Dan, thanks for the tip on the lube.  I use a tap oil called energy Release that works very nicely on aluminum.  Spray a bit on the bit and a bit on the plate, and it cuts like butter.

-- Jim

[jrihs]

Hi, What size hole you need?

[Doc B.]

IIRC Neutrik has dimensioned drawings of their products on their web site

[jrihs]

Perfect, thanks Doc! Maybe I can figure out the wiring from that as well. BTW DOC, thanks for the goldpoint recomendation...it's wonderfull, worth very penny.

Hey jrebman, can you post a clear shot of your jack wiring after you test, I'm nearly at that point myself, and that would help the confidence factor for others (like myself).

Bummer about that screw protuding, looks like a star bolt? I would have liked to have heard how others delt with it. oh well.

Thanks Mucho!