RBR-KIT, the “Recession Buster Reference” Kit, Pair

[---k---]

Wow, those are really stunning. I can't believe that is your first attempt at veneering. Very impressive.

[BigguyZ]

Holy cow! That's the same veneer I was to use if I ever get close to finishing/ actually building my 4Ts....

You actually have me thinking I should go with Lacquer over poly... Hm....

[Jed]

There you are master! ;x( ;x( ;x( I am please you like them. ^_^;

As for your question...

Minwax high gloss for the lacquer coats.

Sandpaper was from Autoparts Express. I wet sanded on every grade.

The powders were these two...

http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=2184

Great stuff. Use baby oil for borderline satin/glossy finish. Use water if you want full clear gloss. I used water.

EDIT ADD ON: Almost forgot... this stuff.

http://www.minwax.com/products/specialty_products/paste_finishing_wax.html

Man, you got to WORK IT HARD to get this paste to rub out if you go at it with an arm and a rag. I was half tempted to go get a buffer (which it recommends) but I toughed it out. 2 hours to rub this stuff out properly once applied. (15 minutes drying time before you do though...)

Thanks! What a great finish you go there. :T

[chirpie]

Chirpie, those look great. Waterfall bubinga is lovely, but is has big old pores.

And this sandpaper ain't cheap, but it's worth every penny:

http://www.leevalley.com/US/wood/page.aspx?p=20177&cat=1,42500

No more wet sanding. I use 320 between built coats, then go up from there before the rub out and buff. Yes, a buffer (smile).

Again, nice work!

Good to know. Bookmarked it should I revisit this obsession anytime soon. ;-)

[chirpie]

Wow, those are really stunning. I can't believe that is your first attempt at veneering. Very impressive.

Thanks K. I'm bummed I lost my documentation for the veneering process. It's good to revisit previous attempts to recall the lessons learned.

I used a veneer softener but I think I did more harm than good with it. It caused a "wrinkling" effect when I used an iron to heat activate the glue I used. It made it tricky to flatten them out. If anyone knows what popular mistake I might've made there I'm all ears.

Holy cow! That's the same veneer I was to use if I ever get close to finishing/ actually building my 4Ts....

You actually have me thinking I should go with Lacquer over poly... Hm....

Lacquer is a cruel mistress. She smells bad, you need to be careful with your brush strokes, but when you shine her up, she's purdy. ^_^

Thanks! What a great finish you go there. :T

Again, thanks! :-)

[Txgrizzly]

very sweet...

[cacophonix]

very very pretty!

I've a rbr kit that i bought sometime back and been wanting to build a floorstander like Steidl Guitars. I might copy your finish technique. Your speakers look stunning! Congrats!

[cacophonix]

I've placed a order for figured bubinga, and hope to get started on the cabinets this weekend. A small question ... How did you get the smooth finish on the baffle? Did you spray black paint, and then applied multiple coats of lacquer?

[chirpie]

I've placed a order for figured bubinga, and hope to get started on the cabinets this weekend. A small question ... How did you get the smooth finish on the baffle? Did you spray black paint, and then applied multiple coats of lacquer?

I pm'ed the response, but here is the answer for the curious minded.

Dude, I am so sorry, I haven't been to this site in a while! ^_^

Here's the steps I did on the front baffle...

- Raw mdf

- Painted the mdf with a mixture of half glue, half water, two coats dried, to seal the mdf.

- I use automotive primer in a rattle can. 3 coats. Sanding between each coat.

- I used satin black rustoleum can. Sprayed 3 coats, sanded between each coat.

- I used satin polyurethane spray can for the top coat. I sprayed 5 coats. I sanded VERY lightly on the first two coats. Then lightly for the last three.

Done.

[soundemon]

so mad I missed this kit at the sale price! if anyone knows someone looking to sell an unused kit send me a PM...

[cacophonix]

Finally i managed to complete my speakers. I bugged the hell out of Bob (Steidl Guitar) and combined his floorstanding design with the overall cabinet look of chirpie, and came up with this.
I'm very happy with the sound. They sound wonderful in my room (12x14). I might try playing around with the stuffing later on, but for now, i'll just sit back and listen to music.
I'd be interested in seeing what kind of low end response people are getting out this speaker. Specs mention almost mid 30hz, but i don't think i'm hitting that low. It sounds more like a solid 40-50Hz ... but i've no mic to measure the response.

I've paired it with Rythmik DS1200 sub, and don't feel the need for any more bass.The NHT X2 crossover diverts everything under 50Hz to the sub, and everything over it to the main speakers.The rest of the setup is as follows :
Odyssey Khartago Mono Amps (Extreme SE)
Adcom GFP 750
Sony 5400ES SACD/CD player
SqueezeBox Touch

Belkin POCC speakers cables
Acoustic research interconnects (cheap ones) (Soon to be replaced with DIY canare l2t2s cables)

[chirpie]

(Another delayed response on my part...) How cool is that? Love the plinths man. :-)

[Fishy]

Chirpie, WOW. Great write up and superb finish. As for the HT in the basement.

Just wish I had the tools and space to create such works of art.

Fish