> I am looking for a source of mini DIN-8 plugs to mate with the
> serial port of a mac.

I can buy them off the rack at the local Marvac-Dow
electronics store (in Southern California).  [pause]
Package says Philmore EMA8 on it.  Price is $1.50.

Instructions inside say LKG Industries, dba Philmore
Mfg., 2240 15th Street, Rockford IL 61104.

It consists of an insert with 8 pins, 2 half shells made
out of metal, 2 larger half shells made out of plastic, a
U-shaped crimp-on strain relief, and a slip-over flexible
plastic cover.  You have to remember to slip the slip-over
piece on before you solder the insert to your cable.

However, it is difficult to solder a wire to each pin.
Due to the small form factor, the pins are just that --
pins.  No solder cup or anything.  It's possible to
make a cable using one, but it's time consuming.


However, I haven't bought one in several years.  Instead,
when I need a custom Mac serial cable...

What I do is buy the ready made Mac to Mac serial cables.
Marvac-Dow also stocks them in 6' and 10' lengths.  Back
of the package says "Pan Pacific" and "Made in Taiwan".

Each end has a miniDIN-8 male connector.  The ends are
connected with an 8 wire cable.  They're used to connect
a Mac to an Apple printer.  Apple's nomenclature is a
peripheral interface cable or some such.

I use the 10' ones.  Cut the cable in half and you have
two 5' cables.  Each has a miniDIN-8 connector and nicely
molded strain releif.  Then just solder or crimp your
device on the other "raw" end of the cable.


If you need them in higher quantity, I'd suggest looking
at one of the innumerable off-shore cable houses.  I bet
you could get any sort of cable premade to spec.

                                                Lee Jones

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