/diy/ - Do It Yourself

Two pictures, three questions.

First off, I need to solder wires to these tabs. The plastic looks like it'll just melt if the hot iron even gets near it. Any tips/suggestions for preserving the plastic? The shape isn't exactly crucial, but it's a vintage turntable and getting a replacement will price me out and force a jury rig that negates the detachable headshell.

Second, the wires that were originally hill were indescribably thin, and were two twisted pairs. Do I need to recreate the twist? Most of the length will be in a tonearm that I believe is aluminum or at least metal, if that matters.