XBox controller -> USB - No soldering..??

[Rurouni_Fencer]

Rather than just soldering the wires together to make the connection for a homemade XBox USB Controller, couldn't I just twist them and tape them up with electrical tape? I'm trying to do this mod without soldering and, if possible, without breaking down and spending the money on an Action Replay.
(I'm also aware of the rentals available on the forums for cards with SC saves, and such. I just want to keep my own rig handy for if/when I repeat the mod for a friend.) Any help is greatly appreciated!

[emwearz]

You could I guess, just buy yourself a spare xbox controller plug (just the end part I forgot its name) however your better to solder in the long run) strip it and solder (or twist) onto a male used that has been stripped.

[Hobie-wan]

The end is called a breakaway cable. You could just twist wires, but it won't be as reliable and electrical tape never stays when used on something that's going to get moved around. If you just don't want to use a soldering iron, I've seen some stuff at Radio shack that's little strips you can wrap around your twisted wires then presumably use a lighter or something to melt it. Some heat shrink tubing (remember to slide it down the wire before connecting the wires) over everything will stay neat and not unravel later.

[Rurouni_Fencer]

Great feedback, that's why I love this place! Thanks a ton, emwearz & Hobie-wan..

[t0yrobo]

Get some wire nuts, they twist on top of the two wires and hold them pretty well. They'll have them at any hardware store, but you might have to go to a radio shack to get smaller ones.

[Hobie-wan]

Get some wire nuts, they twist on top of the two wires and hold them pretty well. They'll have them at any hardware store, but you might have to go to a radio shack to get smaller ones.

That's a great idea too. I will be big and ugly, but it should be a reliable connection and will stay put as long as you don't beat it up too much.

[CRTGAMER]

Get some wire nuts, they twist on top of the two wires and hold them pretty well. They'll have them at any hardware store, but you might have to go to a radio shack to get smaller ones.

That's a great idea too. It will be big and ugly, but it should be a reliable connection and will stay put as long as you don't beat it up too much.

Maybe go with the red small butt connectors?
At least little more flat, red smaller then blue or yellow.

[Jungell]

Get some wire nuts, they twist on top of the two wires and hold them pretty well. They'll have them at any hardware store, but you might have to go to a radio shack to get smaller ones.

That's a great idea too. It will be big and ugly, but it should be a reliable connection and will stay put as long as you don't beat it up too much.

Maybe go with the red small butt connectors?
At least little more flat, red smaller then blue or yellow.

These are awesome.

If you don't want to solder, stick with these. Shrink tubes are made for protecting solder and keep soldering points from connecting to each other to create a short circuit, so I wouldn't recommend those. Soldering is still your best bet, though.

[CRTGAMER]

The clear ones are more malleable and you can see the wire in the metal tube before crimping.

[fvgazi]

If you decide to go with the crimps, make sure you get a proper wire crimper. I was an idiot and tried to use pliers to save $10. Half of the crimps fell off.