I have a FloppyEmu and it has a flat 20-pin IDC ribbon cable. I don't love using a cable like this outside of a computer and would prefer using one that has been sheathed, or wrapped, in some kind of rubber.
When I used to build PCs in the late 90s - mid-2000s, I bought most of my parts on NewEgg. They had these IDE and Ultra-ATA data cables whose strands had been separated and wrapped in a rubber sheath. They cost more than the standard ribbon cables, but the sheathed ones looked cooler. They had a practical benefit as well: they were substantially easier to route inside the case, brought improved airflow, and protected the fine ribbon cable strands from accidental cuts or snags. This was especially important in applications with Ultra-ATA, which used very fine-pitched 80 pin ribbon cables. Here's an example of one such cable.
I tried searching for mass-manufactured, wrapped / sheathed 20-pin IDC cables, but I only found a few of them on specialty electronic component sites like DigiKey, and a few outlets associated with industrial and commercial use, for eye-watering prices ($50-100). I presume this is because a small number of industrial systems use these cables, and the requisitions for sheathed cables is substantially smaller than the flat ribbon variety.
If I was going to buy a 20-pin IDC cable and make my own, are these easy to separate as a DIY project without damaging the cable? Or would it be better to buy the cable and headers as components and attach the headers after separating and wrapping the cable? Would you use an X-Acto knife, or something else? Any suggestions for durable rubber sheaths?
Here are some examples of what I'm looking for:
When I used to build PCs in the late 90s - mid-2000s, I bought most of my parts on NewEgg. They had these IDE and Ultra-ATA data cables whose strands had been separated and wrapped in a rubber sheath. They cost more than the standard ribbon cables, but the sheathed ones looked cooler. They had a practical benefit as well: they were substantially easier to route inside the case, brought improved airflow, and protected the fine ribbon cable strands from accidental cuts or snags. This was especially important in applications with Ultra-ATA, which used very fine-pitched 80 pin ribbon cables. Here's an example of one such cable.
I tried searching for mass-manufactured, wrapped / sheathed 20-pin IDC cables, but I only found a few of them on specialty electronic component sites like DigiKey, and a few outlets associated with industrial and commercial use, for eye-watering prices ($50-100). I presume this is because a small number of industrial systems use these cables, and the requisitions for sheathed cables is substantially smaller than the flat ribbon variety.
If I was going to buy a 20-pin IDC cable and make my own, are these easy to separate as a DIY project without damaging the cable? Or would it be better to buy the cable and headers as components and attach the headers after separating and wrapping the cable? Would you use an X-Acto knife, or something else? Any suggestions for durable rubber sheaths?
Here are some examples of what I'm looking for:
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