Making my own cables, plastic or metal plugs

[BluesForDan]

some serious price difference, from .89 cents to 4.99 gold plated professional.

[Flyin' Brian]

You get what you pay for. It's not that metal will sound better, but how much reliability do you want? If you're just playing at home plastic is probably ok. If you're gigging. I'd think that it's unacceptable.

[Blue Strat]

Neutriks have non -breakable (at least it seems that way) plastic sleeves. I can't imagine much better quality than what they offer.