I need to find some really short SATA cables, maybe only a few inches. Is there a supplier int he US for really short SATA cables? I think two or three inches will be fine. Any longer than that, and I think I'll have problems making it all fit into my project.
This sounds kinda dirty, "fit into my project." "I think two or three inches will be fine." Did you try google? cause it was the forth or fifth one down http://www.satacable.com/detail/index.cfm?nPID=72690 they have 4 inch cables for $2.51
Well if you are looking for short sata cables we use Dell Optiplex 755's and they have a SATA cable that is about 3 inches long, You can call dell and have someone look up that cable for you and give you the specs. May be a better option than trying to mod one.
I just tried the mod route. I picked up a cheap cable at a local Fry's electronics. I was surprised to find that it used crimp ends. I tried carefully removing and recrimping one end, but it did not work out. I'm going to see if there are more I can pick up tomorrow for another attempt. If that doesn't work out, then I'll see about modding some other cables that may not have crimp ends. While a premade cable would be nice, I suspect Dell charges a fortune for those cables
If the connector is crimped, just cut the cable, cut a bit off, strip both ends (the bits with connectors), join the cable, pot the joint and heatshrink over it.
I picked up another cable to try again with, and this time, I had success. I have one more to make, so I'll write up a guide when I do it. This is the cable I used. The process I used was this: 1)remove the metal retention clip, it interferes with the crimp tool. (actual guide will have photos on how I did this) 2) soften the connector you are about to de-crimp by placing it in boiling water for ~30 sec. The reason for softening it is so you don't bend the pins and ruin it when you try and re crimp the connector. 3) loosen the connector, it may need another quick immersion. But be careful not to soften the connector itself too much or you risk deforming it. When I did it, I only used 10-15 sec. 4)dry the bits off 5)Inspect the pins to make sure they are all strait and look like tuning forks. If they are bent a little, you can gently tweak them with tweezers, but if they were bent badly, you won't be able to re crimp (the problem I had in my first try). 6)cut the cable to length then back in the boiling water. The connector was not designed to be reused, so the pins are not as strong now. The water will soften the insulation on the cable. 7)dry the part of the cable off that will be inside the connector. Use a paper towel so the capillary action minimizes contact with the cable (and minimizes heat loss). 8)line things up and apply some gentle pressure. If you are quick, you may not need step 9 9)after the pins have initially breached the insulation, you may get some resistance, and if you are paranoid, you can dunk the half crimped assembly again for about 10 sec. 10) dry and test the cable with some expendable hardware I need to let my cable sit for a bit to make sure the water has no long term effects, but I think things will be OK.
