Make your own right angle sata cables, very easy!

G

glmino

n00b
Joined
Jul 14, 2005
Messages
55
Hey all,
An easy fix here!
Sure I found some great places online to get right angled sata cables but, my problem was immediate as this is a new build.
I couldn't wait!
The problem is my new case's side door coming in contact with the sata cables on my drives causing the machine not to boot up ( thank goodness I have decent troubleshooting skills,.... not really, I saw the disconnect that's all! ).
The case is one where the drives are mounted 90 degrees which puts the cables at the side cover so, when sliding the cover on it catches the sata cable on my drive knocking out communication with the mobo.

OK.
The easy fix was:
Back cut the connector's body with a dremel at the top, bottom and the sides all around approx. ¾ of an inch from the end
of the connector.
Then pop the top piece off ( or bottom if you want to angle it down ).
Bend into the angle and fill the backside with hot melt glue.
That's it, just don't cut through the cables.
Hope this helps a few of you out there,
Take care,
Mike ( glmino )
P.S. I do have better step-by-step pictures if this seems too vague.
rightanglemo2.jpg
 
I don't know why they make the plastic boots so intrusive... they could get away with a much smaller boot and then that would allow users to bend their cables or gives a little extra play.
 
Hi Ockie,
The sata cables could be of better design, that's for sure. ( I see where there are locking clips on them now, that's a good thing! ).
Two things I should mention as I just did this quick mod this morning.
One: the measurement back from the front could vary, maybe ¾ of an inch is too far back.
And two: a little black paint would finish it off nicely where the hot melt glue is.
Take care,
Mike ( glmino )
 
yes it was pretty easy but i was still a little scared when i did it.

i needed to stack then under my vga cooler and there was no way they would fit stock.

P1010113.jpg
 
Hi Tangent inc.,
Don't tell me you just did this today and, not after looking at my fix?
No, tell me you did, it'll make me feel like a good dude for once!
Mike ( glmino )
 
hahaha... yes it took about 9 seconds and your advice is great:D

oh yeh and hot glue is almost as great as duct tape;)

i wish i could have done it for fun but i did not have a choice. i bought the cables knowing i was going to cut them up but it worked perfect. i posted it in the Show your HTPC around june i think but i did not give any details about how i did it.

EDIT: oops i lied, it was in may
 
This technique could also be used to make cables with other angles (like 120 degrees for instance), right?
 
Luckily I have never had this problem, but if I ever do I now know what to do.

To the OP, your sig is way to long, rules state it can only be 10 lines long, suggest you givethem a look and fix your sig, But great idea, thanks!
 
Ockie said:
You can do any angle, it's just a wire.
Click to expand...
Actually, during my AF aircraft maintenance training (avionics) I was taught not to go more than 90 degrees. You may be able to bend it more than that, but after that you risk damaging the wire(s).
 
ClariorHincHonos said:
Actually, when during my AF aircraft maintenance training (avionics) I was taught not to go more than 90 degrees. You may be able to bend it more than that, but after that you risk damaging the wire(s).
Click to expand...

Well, I actually meant something that would bend less than a 90 degree one, like this: \__. I guess it depends on how you measure the angle.
 
Been away, ( hospital :( )
Ockie's been answering the questions very well.
If you read back to Tangent inc.'s second reply, you will see he came up with this great idea at an earlier time.
Good that folks share these kind of things, I scour for fixes all the time and really appreciate when one fits the need.
....................................Oh, I think I fixed the long sig thing.................................
Take care,
Mike ( glmino )
 
the sata cables i bought where chosen because they have a soft boot. the ones that come with mobo's are usually plastic and a pain to work with. for me i was able to simply cut away the entire boot with flush cutters exposing the cable. the sata cable i bought was also clear so that i could see where i was cutting.

all in all it turned out great and the clearance in about 1/8" above the actual socket itself on the mobo. stacking them fit like a glove.
 
Sorry Tangent!
I am out of it over here, I just put the credit via edit to you on my last post!
I'll be alright in a few.
The soft ends would be great to wrk with too.
Take care,
Mike
 
hahaha... no worries. if i get a chance ill post pics here since you already started the thread.
 
I think I understand how to do this, but not entirely sure... in any case, I have saved a bunch of right-angle sata cables as a just in case for the future. :)

my current sata cables are jammed under my GTX and just barely make it... I didn't need right-angles just yet. :)
 
Hi g0dM@n,
If I kept my old case I wouldn't have had a need. Also, you have options of angling down as well as up, and you have the option of doing what you need at the mobo end of the cable.
 
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