Just finished my set of DIY Speaker Cables. Used the Vampire Wire #2100C 10AWG and Monster Cable Quick Lock Banana Plugs that I already was using as my main speaker cables in my music only system. Added a pair of Vampire Wire Bar-8 Connectors (perfect for the small terminal screws used in vintage amps), red nylon braid, 1/4" red, 1/4" white heatshrink, 1/2" 3:1 red, and 1/2" black heatshrink. It was an easy job, no soldering involved, and the cables came out great.
1. I separated the cables, but left them attached at one point, then I proceeded to twist the cables securing them with a piece of red electrical tape every 8" or so (some people use hot glue).
2. Once they were twisted I took the 6" of single legs and slided 1/4" round heatshrink over each one (red for positive/white for neutral), then proceeded to shrink the side where the banana plugs go (Monster Quick Locks have a rubber grip, so don't install them prior to applying heat to the heatshrink, or they will probably melt or deform). Don't worry about marking + and -, as the cable has lettering on one side only, so you decide if the marked wire becomes + or -, and slide the appropriate heatshrink color over the corresponding leg.
3. Proceed to slide the red nylon braid over the cable, and cut it so there was about 2" of twisted cable showing on each end. Secured the braid with a small piece of red electrical tape.
4. Slide a 3" piece of 1/2" 3:1 red heatshrink over each end to cover the area between the braid and the individual heatshrink pieces. Don't apply heat yet.
5. Install the Monster Quick Lock Banana Plug in the cable legs where heat has already been applied to the 1/4" heatshrink.
6. On the other end legs crimp the amp side connectors (apply solder if you want).
7. Slide the 1/4" heat shrink over the crimped ends of the connectors, and apply heat to shrink.
8. Accomodate in place the 1/2" x 3" 3:1 red heatshrink. I will cover the braid ends and the Y part where the individual legs start. Apply heat.
9. Cable is finished.
I tried to use 14 mm cable pants, but the cable jacket was too thick to thread on the legs of the pants, just too tight. Maybe using lubricating oil, putting the cable pants in hot water, or both will work, but didn't have the patience to try that. Also, I used 1/4" nylon braid, as it expands to three times it's size, but when it expands the braid separates and the inner cable will show thru, so with a caliper measure the approximate total outsided diameter (OD) of the cable you are using, and order the braid size closest to the OD. That way braid will not be "see-thru".
Sorry, no pics, as my wife was out with the camera, but when I do my HT system speaker cables I will document it.