I need a couple of custom length toslink optical leads, and notice the
instructions for fitting the plug say the cable must be cut with a
cleaver. Is this a special tool at a vast price - or is there a cheaper
way?

--
*Great groups from little icons grow *

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

Dave Plowman (News) wrote:
I need a couple of custom length toslink optical leads, and notice the
instructions for fitting the plug say the cable must be cut with a
cleaver. Is this a special tool at a vast price - or is there a cheaper
way?

I wonder why? Just to get a perpendicular cut for maximum light
transmission? To avoid burrs (though only for the same reason I suppose.)

Plastic pipe cutter. That'd be what I'd try.

--
Scott

Where are we going and why am I in this handbasket?

On 07/01/2014 14:59, Scott M wrote:
Dave Plowman (News) wrote:
I need a couple of custom length toslink optical leads, and notice the
instructions for fitting the plug say the cable must be cut with a
cleaver. Is this a special tool at a vast price - or is there a cheaper
way?

I wonder why? Just to get a perpendicular cut for maximum light
transmission? To avoid burrs (though only for the same reason I suppose.)

Plastic pipe cutter. That'd be what I'd try.

The end should also ideally be polished smooth and flat. Although the
TOS link needs on coupling efficiency aren't that great unless you're
near the length limits.

You could try a sharp craft knife if your hand is steady enough,
assuming plastic fibre optic cable. Glass cable, as far as I know, needs
the correct tool, which Farnell are advertising for under a tenner.

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Tciao for Now!

John.