OK guys, after much help from ppl here, I've decided to open a new thread for my 'How-To'. I've also uploaded it as a Word doc to: http://www.megaupload.com/?d=30DSILF8 if anyone wishes to download it for future reference.

Note: This should only be carried out by someone with some prior soldering skills and some basic craft skills.
Disclaimer: As always, I am not responsible for your inability to carry out this mod successfully or read these instructions properly - they are a guide to what can be done and you do so at your own risk.

Rab01: Using a small, flat screwdriver, prise the connector out of the holder. UPDATE- it appears that there are two different assembly types of FastPort connector - one is 'push fit' and the other 'bonded' to the holder. The screwdriver will slip easily between connector and holder on the 'push fit' type. ONLY the 'push fit' type should be used for this mod.
Rab02: Use a similar technique to run around between the rubber and the jack seperate them and ...
Rab03: Gently pull the rubber back from the jack.
Rab04: Next, with a combination of careful cutting and trimming, remove the connector from the holder.

Rab05: Again, with the screwdriver, prise out the plastic 'strengthener' from the holder.
Rab06: CAREFULLY, trim the hole in the holder to approx 5 - 5.5mm (diameter of the jack). DO NOT trim too far and regulerly offer up the jack for sizing!
Rab07: Trim the hole so that it is as close to the bottom of the holder as possible, internally (to create as much room as possible for the connector).
Rab08: Cut the jack free from the extension cord BUT remember and give yourself a decent 'tail' for trimming later. Thread this through the hole and push the jack home.

Rab09: Trim the tail to fit inside the holder without excess. In fact, I carried out a further alteration to the one in this image - I took a wee bit more off the sheath.
Rab10: I decided to remove the pins to solder them as this would be easier (for me, anyway). Grip them with tweezers and gently wriggle/pull them out.
Rab11: Solder your wires and then re-insert the pins. Good soldering skills and patience is required here!
Update Pic: I've done an alteration since completing this mod - I clipped off the little 'nipples' that stick up and soldered the wires directly onto the 'plate' of each pin. This allows the connector block to sit down further into the holder. Check out 'Rab10' for illustration.

Rab12: Pin-out diagram by kind permission of mmmonkey (0o0)
Rab13: It should (eventually) look something like this ...
Rab14: Gently work the connector back into the holder. It may sit slightly 'proud' from its original seating, as mine did. Careful wiring could see it sit further in though. Mine has, to date, never come back out, but you may wish to put tiny, light dabs of superglue between connector and body to firmly hold it in place. Ensure all is working beforehand though .. !
Update Pic: Having done my alteration, see how much lower the connector block sits inside the holder. FYI - from the left: 1st pin=earth[copper], 2nd pin=right ear[red], 3rd pin=left ear[green], 4th&5th pins=handsfree[no wires].

The mod here, was carried out using a 'spare' Sony extension cord from a pair of MDR-EX71s. I found this jack to be the smallest I'd come across - there will be others like them out there. I used the following tools and equipment:
1 x Sony extension cord
1 x SE FastPort connector
1 x Soldering Iron, Flux, SoldaMop
1 x Set of Precision Screwdrivers
1 x 'Craft' Knife plus spare blades
1 x Magnifying Glass (on hobbyist stand)
1 x Tweezers

Enjoy .. :woohoo:
Rab 'rabvtec'

@rabvtec

Thank you very much, that looks splendid.

I should like to point out that any modifications you make to hardware can, and often do, void the warranty on that hardware.

Awesome How to I will certainly be giving that a crack

It seems se-nse is becoming "the" place for how-to's. Maybe this warrents a section in the forum on its own. (not to be discussed in this topic though )

Gee shucks, thanks guys .. gbrooks3 .. espaecially your ( _ _ _ _ ) comment lol

@ gbrooks3 - got your PM bud, but as you can see I've taken the plunge but will def keep you in mind for future 'How-To's' ... ermm, I "promised" scotsboyuk that I'd look into a '3.5mm integrated jack' ..

Wowow, you really do learn something new every day

@rabvtec

No worries, great guide though, really is

Great job, rabvtec! I'm also looking forward to your internal 3.5mm jack mod

@g

I see you've met my good friend Mr S Arcasm. I just thought it best to point out the situation with warranties as we are sure to have someone moaning that they weren't warned.

Wow, amazing.

I will probably try it myself now. Because of your guide.

Thanks

@Ginz - great, I'm glad to hear it! If I can be of any help ...

I've also been thinking about some tips for ppl ..
1. Research properly, especially if you haven't soldered or modded before.
2. Get the right tools! Magnifying glass, sharp craft knife and tweezers were all invaluable to me.
3. Search for the smallest jack you can find. I was lucky to blag a spare Sony unit!
4. Think through each stage before progressing.
5. TAKE ONE'S TIME!

:woohoo:

Now moved to our new section

Be warned guy! there are two different types of fastport connectors. so if yours is not smooth inside without a outside reinforcer then do not try to attempt this... cause i broke mine :rant:

@Lumps

Thank you for the warning, I had no idea there were two different types.

yep... lol... just got a message from rab this morning about this :hey:
stupid SE, now i have to buy another headset for $25cad

Maybe rabvtec could make a note of this then in his first post by editing it?

@Eggy

Good idea, seems sensible to let people know before they attempt this modification.

Maybe some pictures showing a clear difference between both types would be nice too?

lol.. sorry if i dont have a manicure! lol.. but anyways.. took with webcam not my phone

so you can see that the plastic cover is thicker and there are rides inside whereas rabs is smooth and thin.

lol.. i got pissed off so i started cutting and pulling

@Lumps

Good stuff. rab might want to pop that in his initial post.

@rabvtec
Nice job! Very professional looking end result!

UPDATE: a warning has now been placed on the first post!

I've been corresponding with Lumps on this and just pipped me at the post re updating my initial post.

@Lumps - you don't have to pay $25CAD for a new headset. Please read my reply at HoFo for you:

@ixalon - thanks for your words ..

thanks rab for the link!

Brilliant tutorial , will definately try this one next! (Probably wiser than massacreing my k750i any furthur anyway! )

P.s nice nails.

. . . :S STOP IT!

Thanks btw! Oh yeah, before you do this mod . . . RTFHT! I look forward to helping you unsolder your fingers from your FastPort! :flag:

Hey rab, I couldn't resist doing this mod (see attached pics), and now I think it's the best mod for a headphone adapter. I had to file a bit of the 3.5mm socket off, then file the underside of the fastport plug so that the final product wasn't really tall, I pleased with the finish. I just wish I could have cut the hole a bit neater.

Thanks for the inspiration

Pete

@mmmonkey

Nice job, it doesn't look bad on the pictures at all

@Pete .. it looks great .. well done, bud!

- that's what modding is all about isn't it - overcoming these hurdles!

- nah, it looks fine .. but hey, you know what to do when you make another one!

Oh, I agree - I now think that this is a very good headphone adaptor mod .. my reason being, is that someone else mentioned that the short wired adaptors available, could possibly scratch your phone/screen when in your pocket. I never thought of it like that ... I JUST HAD TO MOD SOMETHING! :$

hey peeps!
I oprdered a replacement pop-port to 3.5mm jack from ebay.. and they have the connector in rab's guide... and im getting one free since i told the seller on ebay thay they soldered both left and right wires to ground
and ground to right.. which they really did! but i fixed it.. heh..! hopefully i will have enough time to do this mod!

Hi Bud, where can I buy a 3.5mm socket for this mod?

@Don Carlos - you can buy a 'chassis' type 3.5mm socket ie one without a plastic encapsulated body, from the likes of Maplin.

Some splitter cables have slightly smaller jacks which may fot better. I think the one that mmmonkey did was with a Maplin itme (mmmonkey can confirm) and the one I used was from a Sony extension cable I blagged from a Sony Centre .. !

You probably could get the type of socket I used from Maplin, it's just a 3.5mm chassis mount socket. I'm lucky enough to have a small independant electronics shop near me so most of my parts come from there.

Pete

very nice!! such a clean look too!! i might have to do this to my other headset i have (got a 2nd headset on ebay but those headphones really suck!!)..

not sure if anyone else is doing this or not, but when i did my 3.5mm mod, i used an inline volume control unit too.. so i could change volume super easy!!




again, VERY NICE WORK!

i think i might try to modify the volume unit and integrate the mic, answer button into that unit...


peace
seamonkey420

or if you have them, hit up a Radioshack.. went there twice today for solder and the headphone/volume inline control (only $6)

also, are there any connectors in the fastport that allow for controlling the next/prev functions? if so, i'd love to try to change the answer button to the next or play/pause fuctions..


peace

cool, i'll give this a try... and to think i was going to pay £15 for one of these

btw.. just a random note from me again.. haha...

i've taken the factory headphones (that i cut off.. to make my adapter.. hehe) and have taken them apart and now have been using the Sony Ericsson logos on my adapter (looks almost like a se one.. hehe.. )
they come out pretty easy and cleanly..

Hi seamonkey! Ha, that's a very cool mod! That's gonna freak ppl out thinking it's a SE accessory ... you'll obviously tell them it is, and you've got one of only a handful of the limited editions made! ( ..:woohoo: )

Just need to tidy up the insulation tape around the bottom of the cable

@MikLSP

yea, i have to go back and redo my whole connection, but am a bit warry since the last redo i did, it took me forever to get the stereo sound to work.. hehe.. hmm.. maybe i'll just get some heatshrinking insulation for it..

but yea, who knows, i bet we'll see a few of these adapters on ebay with teh se logo on it now prob "claiming to be" an official SE adapter.. hehe.. to each his/her own...

btw, i've been thinking of doing a good ole super glue mod and putting the logo on my joystick.. might make it easier to use too! (if it doesn't look too chessy..)

Edit: well, i did it anyways and it looks pretty decent.. we'll see how strong of super glue i used.. hehe... (pic attached)

peace

lol, that doesn't look too bad actually.

Is it easier or harder to use?

it is actually easier to use and doesn't hurt my thumb as bad either.. however, i wonder if it will catch on lint and loose thread in my pockets more..

i guess i'lll find out this week!

hopefully i get my login info for the total multi server so i can do my own k750 to w800 firmware conversion.. hehe....

Is it possible to do this with the old headset interfaces?

Hi Mowbli .. I don't see why not. It's just a matter of sussing out the wiring arrangement - what do you have in mind? :munch:

Hey, sweet mods.
I have been browsing alot and I stumbled upon Judderman's tutorial with picture of how he did his K750i headset to 3.5mm jack mod. I had the same set of Sony MDR-EX71 earphones lying around so I thought, hey, why not. Here is Judderman's tutorial from HowardForums
And this is my finished product...







and the leftovers....

I've fixed the link for you which didn't work


It looks nice, I think even I could try something like that. Was it easy?

Thank you.
Yeah, it was pretty easy. Didn't take long too. As long as you know you keep track of the wires and you know how to use a soldering iron.

Someone help me do mine!

You could ask rabvtec to do it for you

Mowbli .. check your PMs