HOW TO MAKE YOUR OWN JUMPER WIRES

If you've spent any time shopping the hobby market at all, you've  probably seen jumper kits for sale. These are convenient, and low priced if sourced from the China market, but you are stuck waiting for up to a month or more for them to arrive. For near the same price you can make your own and have nearly an endless supply of jumpers of whatever length you choose with no waiting for delivery at all.

First, go to your local electronics store or favorite hardware store and pick up a roll of 6 conductor phone cable. Make sure it is the solid conductor type (most are). Now all you have to do is get out your trusty wire cutters and strippers. Cut a length of cable to your desired length. In the photo I used about 200 mm/8".

Remove the outer sheathing, cut the 6 strands to the length you choose then strip off about a 5 mm/0.25 inch of each end.

And there you have it virtually unlimited jumpers for less than ten bucks. Not bad.

Here I've made:

• Two 200 mm/8"

• Four 100 mm/4"

• Eight 50 mm/2"

All from one 8 inch length of cable.

So next time you are at your favorite hardware store, throw a roll in your basket.

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