What kind of connector is this?

b0b · Post by **b0b** » 13 Oct 2013 10:09 am

I need one of these for my antique Leedy Vibraphone. What's it called? Where can I get one?

It connects AC power to the motor. This one is broken internally.

Rich Hlaves · Post by **Rich Hlaves** » 13 Oct 2013 11:49 am

It's most likely made by Amphenol or Canon. I did several ebay searchs and came up empty. "Vintage power connector" turned up what looked like the other half of this.

I think these were used as power connectors for vintage Ham radios.

Craig Baker · Post by **Craig Baker** » 13 Oct 2013 12:01 pm

Bob,
I believe Rich is correct. I recall seeing this type of connector on some vintage communications equipment. You may try a sewing machine shop. Perhaps you can salvage one from an old motor or speed-control pedal.

Regards,
Craig Baker 706-485-8792

cmbakerelectronics@gmail.com

C.M. Baker Electronics
P.O. Box 3965
Eatonton, GA 31024

Jack Stoner · Post by **Jack Stoner** » 13 Oct 2013 1:57 pm

I've been in electronics of some type since the "Titanic" and in Ham radio since 1960 and have never come across a connector like that.

I looked through an old (1960) AARL Handbook and didn't see a connector like that.

b0b · Post by **b0b** » 13 Oct 2013 2:48 pm

The Vibraphone was made in the 1930's.

I stuck out looking at old sewing machine parts. It would have made sense, but no luck. Any other ideas?

Howard Parker · Post by **Howard Parker** » 13 Oct 2013 3:08 pm

MilSpec?

Might check with old surplus electronic parts sources.

h

b0b · Post by **b0b** » 13 Oct 2013 4:44 pm

Here's the actual problem:

The little brass piece for one of the contact screws is missing. $:\$

Howard Parker · Post by **Howard Parker** » 13 Oct 2013 4:52 pm

Could you adapt something like THIS?

They have non-insulated as well as insulated.

Further search. Are THESE similar?

h

Jerry Jones · Post by **Jerry Jones** » 13 Oct 2013 5:10 pm

Bob, probably easier to fab a new brass piece than to find a replacement plug. Small brass rod is readily available for making parts like these.

Scott Duckworth · Post by **Scott Duckworth** » 13 Oct 2013 5:15 pm

B0b,

You might get a butt splice, or other terminal and cut the connection end off and us it. The brass ring looks to be the same size as some terminals, such as

The insulated part is easy to get off. I usually grab the ring, spade, or fork with pliers and use a light grip on side cutters into the end of the insulation to turn it and pull it off. Then you could cut off the ring, spade, or fork and use the crimp barrel.

Craig Baker · Post by **Craig Baker** » 13 Oct 2013 5:50 pm

Bob,
That white wire is a lot newer than the Vibraphone. Why not go for a new type connector as well?

Jack,
Did you look around the radio shack on the Titanic? I think that's where I saw one of those connectors.

Regards,
Craig Baker 706-485-8792

cmbakerelectronics@gmail.com

C.M. Baker Electronics
P.O. Box 3965
Eatonton, GA 31024

b0b · Post by **b0b** » 13 Oct 2013 6:47 pm

Craig, the mate of the connector is well integrated into the vibraphone's design. Any modification would be ugly. I'll probably use some vintage-looking wire instead of this ugly white.

This is what it mates with. The funky looking nail and rod are original, too. They are part of the motor's speed control.

Bill Moore (RIP) · Post by **Bill Moore (RIP)** » 13 Oct 2013 7:03 pm

That looks like it's just a small piece of brass tubing. You could probably find something similar at a hobby store, one that sells model trains, etc. The screw looks like it's self threading.

Craig Baker · Post by **Craig Baker** » 13 Oct 2013 7:07 pm

Bob,
I can certainly understand wanting to keep it original. In the 1930s they probably used cloth covered wire, which is available today to those restoring old radios. Antique Electronic Supply may be a good source for you and you may also get help on the Antique Radio Forum. Keep us posted Bob, and be sure to let us hear a pretty tune when you have it up and running.

Best regards,
Craig Baker 706-485-8792

cmbakerelectronics@gmail.com

C.M. Baker Electronics
P.O. Box 3965
Eatonton, GA 31024

Jerry Jones · Post by **Jerry Jones** » 13 Oct 2013 7:14 pm

I've ordered from these folks before... for antique fan restorations. Internally, each wire has a modern PVC jacket and the exterior is braided cloth..... it looks period correct.

http://www.sundialwire.com

Scott Duckworth · Post by **Scott Duckworth** » 14 Oct 2013 3:28 am

B0b,

If you want to try the brass tubing idea, I think Hobby Lobby carries short lengths (1 ft) of brass stuff.

Jay Fagerlie · Post by **Jay Fagerlie** » 14 Oct 2013 4:00 am

b0b-
Looky here:
http://www.bitofbrass.co.uk/deluxe-brus ... 1627-p.asp

The picture on the right, of the three small pics.

It says it's a 1/2" 'bayonet' type.
The brass pins look the same, if that's 1/2", it would probably work-

Rich Hlaves · Post by **Rich Hlaves** » 14 Oct 2013 9:03 am

I'd say no on the tubing. That should be built from rod. Drilled, tapped and machined on the wire connection end.

b0b, if you want to send it down here I can build the replacement part for you.

Bill A. Moore · Post by **Bill A. Moore** » 15 Oct 2013 8:21 am

No doubt a repair can be fabricated, but I believe the connector originally had spring loaded brushes, instead of the screws. It is very similar to the standard automotive tail lamps of the past. The lamps connections were solid, and the fixture had a spring loaded base to ensure contact.

rodger_mcbride · Post by **rodger_mcbride** » 15 Oct 2013 8:56 am

Stern light poles have similar connectors, especially the vintage wooden inboards like Chris Craft. Check a marine supply like West Marine to see if any of the modern ones could be massaged into service.
rodger

Rich Hlaves · Post by **Rich Hlaves** » 15 Oct 2013 9:17 am

Bill A. Moore wrote:No doubt a repair can be fabricated, but I believe the connector originally had spring loaded brushes, instead of the screws. It is very similar to the standard automotive tail lamps of the past. The lamps connections were solid, and the fixture had a spring loaded base to ensure contact.

Bill, I think the female half of the connector mounted on the Vibraphone may have the spring loaded contacts if at all. This may be a bayonet type connector.

Bill A. Moore · Post by **Bill A. Moore** » 15 Oct 2013 9:38 am

That sure could be, Rich, I just couldn't see any other reason for the brass part to be hollow. It would be much easier to make the whole thing solid.
B0b, does the female section move?

b0b · Post by **b0b** » 15 Oct 2013 9:52 am

The brass isn't hollow. It has a hole threaded for the screw. The tops of the screws are is the contact points. The pins in the female section are spring loaded.

Peter den Hartogh · Post by **Peter den Hartogh** » 15 Oct 2013 10:46 am

Try to get the right size terminator blocks,
cut the brass part in half and solder the two wires to the two halves.
Use a plastic separator or insulation tape, just in case.
.

Scott Duckworth · Post by **Scott Duckworth** » 15 Oct 2013 11:48 am

B0b I have looked through several resources and can't find it. Asked several hams (OLD hams)and they don't remember them...

The Steel Guitar Forum

What kind of connector is this?

What kind of connector is this?

Connector