don't throw away bad head phones! fix them.

my headphones almost always break in the same place. instead of chucking them and shelling out $10 or $20 bucks for a new pair, i bought a few small pieces and fixed my old pair. it's not too hard if you have some time.

Step 1 Gathering supplies

these are the tools i had near me.

it's completely possible for this to be done with alternative tools. i've heard of people using fingernail clippers to work with wires, and when i don't have strippers around i use the wire cutters on my multi-tool.

-heat shrink
-new 1/8" jack
-soldering iron
-wire strippers
-solder

(also, later on i discover a decent knife was very handy.)

Comments

[ldeakins1]

What is the New piece called so i know what to google for?

[Vinsu]

Wow... In the end this looks pretty decent... Nice job!
Just fixed my own headphones couple of days ago and I really wish there would have been some heatshrink around. Right earphonecord was partially disconnected, cause: cord was on the floor, I rolled my seat on it and when I lifted my headphones... This action prodused one angry human being and lots of newly discovered curse words because of one little piece of wire. About an hour after when I discovered my soldering supplies the job was almost done; reconnecting wire to the speaker was easier than i thought, thanks to Seinheiser for making some of it's products easy-to-dismantle and to put back together...
ANYHOW (babbling like my aunts), heatshrink added (like you did) on wire-to-earphone connection point would have made my repair outcome much nicer looking. Your instructable reminded to buy this godly stuff next time when given a chance. Insulating tape meld hot with lighter made it tough to break again but this cruel outlook makes the baby-Jesus cry...

[Steve Potman]

Very clean job. It was done very well and looks to be quality. This is a really really good idea. I have to give you a lot of credit for this. I just recently got heat exchangers and heat shrink so this will be a good use for them as well. Thanks again and good luck to you.

[Shinji Ikari]

You really are a genius sir! thanks!

[Ry_Ry]

 Yes, Which part does the earth connect to? The largest bit?

[kazaam]

sorry for the late reply. . . the ground/ earth/ shield gets connected to the largest bit. 

[Ry_Ry]

 I am going to do this right now =) I just went down a brought a new audio connector for it, Too bad i don't have any heat shrink

[moorrese]

 I hope this works for me, i've gone thru 4 pairs of earphones in a month, im starting to think my ipod is shorting them out, hope all goes well.

[mad_larkin]

Hey,

 

Firstly:

Thank you for the tutorial. It hadn't occurred to me to replace the mini jack....durr.

Secondly:
I managed to figure out which cable went where by dissecting the old mini-jack. With my Steal Series Sound 5HC head phones:

img686.imageshack.us/img686/7565/jacklayout.jpg

The connector in the centre of the jack is the Red cable, the connector directly opposite is the Blue cable and the larger of the three connectors is the Ground.

I wouldn't assume this is the same for everyone. All I can advise is you dissect the old jack and compare it to the cables you have.

[zetlin]

erm could u provide a diagram for the soldering bit having trouble figuring out which wire goes where

[yellowsnow4free]

One last tip: if you use the heat shrink, tape up the end of the headphone jack (the side that goes in the mp3 player). This will keep the rubber on there from melting. I used black electrical tape, which worked good except that I needed to wipe off some of the black residue when I removed the tape.

[yellowsnow4free]

I'm still amazed this actually worked. I'd like to add what I learned though. In my case, I didn't buy a replacement jack, I just used the old one. I cut the headphone cord at the jack base, then took apart the jack until it was just the end. Then, I saudered the wires onto the jack. It looked awful, but when I plugged it in it actually worked! Note: simply touching the wires to the appropriate spot on the jack didn't work, you'll need to sauder the wires onto the jack. Lastly, if you use the heat shrink tubing, you might want to slip them onto the wire before saudering, just in case they won't fit after the jack is on. Great instructible! I'll never throw a pair of headphones away again!

[big_ears]

i live in Toronto, ON. Where can I get replacement jacks? Our "'Radio Shack is now called the The Source by Circuit City doesn't have them. Any suggestions? Preferably locally so i don't have to pay for shipping or wait :)
Thanks!

[youloveinsomnia]

The notation didn't help. It would've been nice for you to have mentioned what wires to solder to what part of the jack.

[cicloid]

I'm gonna try this DIY, because my in-ear have died, but I have some other headphones with just the connector damaged, so, maybe tomorrow I could start with this one...

[DIY Dave]

How do you know if it is a problem with the jack or something else? How much does the jack you used cost?

[kazaam]

diy dave. . .

it's sort of a process of elimination.

both the right and left side were going in and out simultaneously. (if it was only one side i would jiggle the cable going to it to see if it it went in and out. and then i could narrow it to just one earbud.) i sort of 'gently' twisted the cable and check it for nicks and such, and the only time it got better or worse was when i jiggled it right at the bend in the old jack.

then i tried a different set of headphone on my player to see if it was the player's jack. . . they worked fine. . . and as a final bit, i tested the sketchy headphones on a different player and had the same problem with them. i got them to go in and out by fussing with the cable right at the jack.

the one i bought from radio shack. . . just under $4, and i went for a higher grade one. . . so there were definitely cheaper ones.

1/8 jack

[DIY Dave]

Thanks for your help

[killerjackalope]

Actually that looks far slicker than most headphones, the connector does anyway, be a bit bulky for some items but cool nonetheless Anotehr good trick to prolong the life is to add a thin piece of heat shrink or tape for an inch or so after the larger casing, this make bending a bit less strainful on the inner cables so they live for a lot longer, I tape all of my headphones when I get them and since starting that they've all died from blowin drivers or damage via standing on them...

[thewoodcarver]

I just take the magnets out of the cheap ones ...My good ones got broken at the very spot yours are broke at and I do have a few 1/8 inch jacks somewhere in the garage now I will save $25 or so .I have the shack butane iron it is OK for some things but sucks at others ..like small work... would lose it but a present from the kids

[Trans_Am]

I usually just cut all the rubber off the old plug, re-solder the connections, and cover it in glue. Sometimes I paint the glue. Its ugly(er) but cheap. Nice idea though.

[kazaam]

yeah, i've mutilated many a plug attempting to do the same. i actually find that working with a new plug is easier and less frustrating for me.

[GorillazMiko]

Sweet. I don't throw 'em away, I just throw them in a drawer or something. Nice job, what kind of soldering iron is that? It looks cool. +5/5 stars.

[kazaam]

the soldering iron is a weller butane soldering iron.
(http://www.action-electronics.com/weller.htm#Butane)
i love the butane iron, i started on the cheaper radio shack ones, and then eventually upgraded. i prefer it over electric any day.

[LinuxH4x0r]

Very nice, I do this all the time

[acaz93]

that's what i always do , great 'ible ! kinda resembles mine

[bumpus]

that looks very clean, high five! (i'm mixing it up, instead of saying "5/5" or "10 stars", I'm giving out high fives)