SMJ Audio Wavecor Ardent Build

[rwagoner07]

After a decade long wait to get these built it's finally happening. I invite everyone to follow the build and enjoy the process 👍😃

[technodanvan]

Wow! How long have you been holding on to the parts? I think the mid has been out of circulation a while now.

You're going to love these, btw!

[theSven]

After a decade long wait to get these built it's finally happening. I invite everyone to follow the build and enjoy the process 👍😃

Looking forward to seeing a build of the Wavecore on the updated forum! This will be a fun blast from the past to read and see photos from this build. What amp and DAC will power these bad boys?

[rwagoner07]

Wow! How long have you been holding on to the parts? I think the mid has been out of circulation a while now.

You're going to love these, btw!

It'll be two years in June since I ordered the mids. I was barely able to get them, the timing couldn't have been more perfect.

[rwagoner07]

Looking forward to seeing a build of the Wavecore on the updated forum! This will be a fun blast from the past to read and see photos from this build. What amp and DAC will power these bad boys?

I'm running Angela-gilbert gear https://www.angela-gilbert.com/ formerly known as blue circle audio. The amp is their A210 the pre the C312 and blue circle bc501 ob dac with upgraded power supply section. The gear is funky and deviates from what most others are doing in the industry.

[Steve Manning]

Well the fun has begun ...... bamboo delivery today, first for the new shop! This is actually for both Robert and Sven.



I was not too impressed with the pallet it came on, but we were able to get it down the driveway.

Then came the unpacking and breaking the full sheets down to a more manageable size.






4 sheets in total ...... and now for the "fun" part, cleaning up the mess!

[theSven]

They just don't make pallets like they used to!

[JonMarsh]

Not remotely! A LOT of things just aren't made the way they used to be, unless you do it yourself!

[JonMarsh]

I'm jealous of Steve's new toys, oops, TOOLS for handling the big pieces of wood and getting things done...

[theSven]

Safety FIRST! Steve can't be having any back issues as I bet he has a log of work to get down now that the shop is open.

[Steve Manning]

Well despite the setup for moving stuff around the 5'X8' sheets of mdf that got added to the pile yesterday were less than fun to move around.



Also added the required Baltic Birch to the assortment.



Working on drawings for a few days to give the body a break.

[JonMarsh]

5' x 8' BB ply is a domestic violation of the "cruel and unusual punishment" clause in the constitution!

[theSven]

If I was in town and lived a tad bit closer I would come over and lift this for you to get my weight training in for the day 😅. Need to explore some hoists with suction cups to lift and move the boards around. I will patiently wait to see the drawings... I'm wondering if they will be similar to the cabinets for technodanvan... Those were pretty sweet having the crossover exposed through the plexiglass to see them. Also the touch of purple heart was a very cool incorporation into the cabinet.

[JonMarsh]

Everything is custom, and I think Steve has some special inputs on this build...


And I'm with you on the protecting the back bit, being near the end of the recovery phase of overexertion + an injury, dealing with the STW-350F woofers...

Being a DIY experimenter can be a hard life...


🤣

[Steve Manning]

I've been working on redoing the drawings for a bit. Over time with all the different versions of them floating around some errors where starting to show up. Unfortunately the CNC cuts what you tell it to, errors included, so it was time for a clean up.

This should give an idea of the look we are going for .....

[Evil Twin]

Most excellent color choices- your efforts are to be commended.

[theSven]

I wonder if this is why I always seem to use the same color scheme for my SMJ projects...

[JonMarsh]

Looking nice, Steve - at this rate the “last build” may likely be the “best build”- a fitting end 9 years later!

[technodanvan]

These are going to look great! What type of finish is going on these? High gloss? Matte? Satin?

[theSven]

These are going to look great! What type of finish is going on these? High gloss? Matte? Satin?

My guess is Matte... high gloss is a lot of work!

[Steve Manning]

We're looking at doing satin

[Steve Manning]

Well I had hoped for a little bigger update today, as in cutting some actual parts, but you all know about the bit about best laid plans, etc.

While creating all of the appropriate CAM files for machining, I discovered that during my shop down time, Autodesk had updated/changed Fusion 360 to the point that it removed the underlying files for post processing my CAD files into CAM files.

I discovered today while performing an axis calibration on my CNC that the new post processor file I had selected was the wrong one ..... as in, it drove the router bit into the part without turning on the spindle! Not so good!

Fortunately, within 30 minutes of sending an email to the manufacturer of my machine I had the correct post processor installed. Nice to get good customer service for a change.

I was able to then run the axis calibration, which requires a bit of adjustment. Though after stuffing the CNC into a moving POD and setting it all up again, the worst offending axis was only off ~.015", not too bad!

So of course I will now have to recompile all the the CAM files I have created, but nothing too daunting.

Not wanting to post without any pictures, here's a few of material blanks cut and waiting as well as the first calibration test.

[JonMarsh]

As you know, Steve, without pictures, it's not real! Or, at least, not really on the internet!

[ergo]

I can relate to your frustration, had same surprise from F360 just last Friday - same deal, post processor vanished.

I was running my CNC control PC with Windows 8.1 on purpose as it seemed that every time I wanted to use the machine (perhaps monthly at best due to lack of time) it found a number of Windows updates and would force to apply those. Win8.1 was nice - only occasional security updates anymore.... But now it went out of support and F360 dropped it's support too. So I will need to drag the machine back to the newer OS.

[JonMarsh]

Talk about a PITA!

And some folks wonder why I guard the configuration setup on my Dark Side R2D2 Mac Pro that is essentially dedicated to WIN10 and PC CAD stuff, like Altium Designer, SIMPLIS/SIMetrix, VituixCAD, etc.

But since I'm just a pretend wood worker, and have no CAM stuff, I'm enjoying Shapr3D a lot on my Mac Studio. But there is a Windows version of that, too. I also have a version of Alibi I'm exploring, mostly for direct file compatibility with Steve in that tool.

[theSven]

I can relate to your frustration, had same surprise from F360 just last Friday - same deal, post processor vanished.

I was running my CNC control PC with Windows 8.1 on purpose as it seemed that every time I wanted to use the machine (perhaps monthly at best due to lack of time) it found a number of Windows updates and would force to apply those. Win8.1 was nice - only occasional security updates anymore.... But now it went out of support and F360 dropped it's support too. So I will need to drag the machine back to the newer OS.

Was there no upgrade notes or release notes for the software? I like to review those always before upgrading software I need to work and don't want to deal with troubleshooting. Otherwise I wait for the weekend to upgrade and toy around if I know it's gonna mess some stuff up...

[Steve Manning]

I can relate to your frustration, had same surprise from F360 just last Friday - same deal, post processor vanished.

I was running my CNC control PC with Windows 8.1 on purpose as it seemed that every time I wanted to use the machine (perhaps monthly at best due to lack of time) it found a number of Windows updates and would force to apply those. Win8.1 was nice - only occasional security updates anymore.... But now it went out of support and F360 dropped it's support too. So I will need to drag the machine back to the newer OS.

I'm running Windows 10 on the machine that runs my CNC and I use it for that sole purpose. I don't have it hooked to the internet and have auto updates turned off as well. I've heard of folks having their machines go into Windows update mode in the middle of a cut and it doesn't end well!

[Steve Manning]

Was there no upgrade notes or release notes for the software? I like to review those always before upgrading software I need to work and don't want to deal with troubleshooting. Otherwise I wait for the weekend to upgrade and toy around if I know it's gonna mess some stuff up...

The problem is your talking almost 2 years worth of updates and I'm betting something like that is not listed as a new "feature". I'm finding parts of the interface have completely changed since the last time I used it, so the process has been more than just dusting off the cobwebs with lack of use.

All part of the reason I'm working on getting away from Fusion .... with their ever increasing fees and other frustrations, it's time I'd rather spend elsewhere. It's a powerful all inclusive package, but not worth the aggravation, IMO.

I believe I have the CAD side of things taken care of, but have to wait for available funds to change my CAM software.

[ergo]

Steve, you might have said but I've probably missed - what is your choice of CAD and what is the CAM you are aiming for.... just out of interest question and perhaps of future use for myself.

[Steve Manning]

Steve, you might have said but I've probably missed - what is your choice of CAD and what is the CAM you are aiming for.... just out of interest question and perhaps of future use for myself.

Hi Ergo ..... I've already purchased Alibre Design Professional for the CAD stuff and I'm looking at MecSoft VisualCAM for the CAM side of things.

[Steve Manning]

Well today is a bit of a mile stone for me, at least as far as the shop is concerned .... I'm back cutting out speaker parts! It has been a long and rather arduous task over the last year. With many one step forward and 3 steps back along the way. So without further ado here are Robert's first parts!

These are the inner MDF sides for the cabinets.






Did a test fit of the Baltic Birch that will be the inner bracing .... it appears recent axis calibrations are close enough for government work.

[JonMarsh]

Looks great to me! All praise the Lord for calibrated CNC!

[theSven]

Love me some calibrated CNC! Sawdust time :-)

[Steve Manning]

Parts and more parts .....












This should be all of the MDF and Baltic Birch parts. Now to figure where it all goes?

[JonMarsh]

Uh, yeah, that might be a good idea at some point, yes?

Sure does look like progress, though, from where I'm sitting...

[theSven]

Looking great to see the pieces start to pile up. I'm thinking that the dolly and jack will be around soon as these will probably be some HEAVY cabinets once assembled...

[theSven]

Has any glue up began for the cabinet? I'm sure all those parts were not sitting around for the last 11 days...

[Evil Twin]

Mr. Manning is preoccupied with a family event through the middle of the week, out of town for a grandson’s graduation. My understanding is that the ‘festivities” will include a former wife, which may possibly give opportunity for the Dark Side…

[Steve Manning]

Has any glue up began for the cabinet? I'm sure all those parts were not sitting around for the last 11 days...

As ET mentioned I have been out of town since Sunday ... just got back a short while ago. The glue up process has been started. This is gluing the MDF and Baltic Birch inner and outer surfaces together. Side are done as are the tops and bottoms. Of course many of the parts need to be trimmed to the appropriate length with 10 degree bevels on the ends. I've also squared up the ends of the various dados ..... round router bits don't make square holes!

I'll try to get some pictures posted tomorrow.

[Steve Manning]

Here ya go Sven ......





These parts are not glued. Just doing a dry fit to determine finial length of the back boards for trimming and gluing.








No actual woodworking today ..... catching up from being out of town and dealing with trying to get our refrigerator that's been dead for 2 months fixed. To say the manufacturer and the repair company they use, are idiots and beyond useless would be being very kind!

[theSven]

The cabinets will have the crossover in the back like the last one to look at like you did for Danny with his SMJ Ardent cabinets? I have to say I really like that feature of these cabinets to see all the parts of the crossover!

[Steve Manning]

The cabinets will have the crossover in the back like the last one to look at like you did for Danny with his SMJ Ardent cabinets? I have to say I really like that feature of these cabinets to see all the parts of the crossover!

Yep, same setup.

[Steve Manning]

A small update .... even cutting the parts with a CNC requires a few tweaks here and there to everything to fit as intended. Doing a dry fit up of the first cabinet.











Hoping for a productive week, I've not had much of that of late with other "life adventures" taking place.

[technodanvan]

This is starting to look awfully familiar Steve!

[JonMarsh]

Looking pretty righteous to me, Steve!

And I can certainly relate to the idea of other areas of life getting in the way of one's plans for productivity...

[Steve Manning]

A few deliveries from around the world and progress gets to continue .......

From PE .....










This one is from across the pond and a sneak peak of what's to come ....

[technodanvan]

Internal amplification?

[JonMarsh]

Mundorf Power resistor heatsinks. Necessary to get the power rating. There's more to the story- customer requested.

[technodanvan]

Oooh, fancy! I haven't seen those before.

[JonMarsh]

Shiny, too, as Steve would say!

[theSven]

How much power are we talking about, 3 watts vs 30 watts? I did a quick search to see what this thing is...

[Steve Manning]

How much power are we talking about, 3 watts vs 30 watts? I did a quick search to see what this thing is...

Yep ..... 30 watts. Not needed, but it comes with the requested choice.

[JonMarsh]

A few deliveries from around the world and progress gets to continue .......

From PE .....










This one is from across the pond and a sneak peak of what's to come ....

I love seeing these shots of Steve working in his big clean custom built workshop- I am so jealous, but hey, someday I'll have my "work shed" here, but it will be a while. In the meantime, I just have to improvise and learn how to get things done in cramped quarters. Too much stuff still in this 4 car garage!

[Steve Manning]

Glue is flowing and clamps are always in short supply!

Working on installing the crossover sections to the cabinets. These things are starting to pick up some weight. Not to much more and I'll be dusting off the lift table!

[JonMarsh]

Now, I could gush about how jealous I am of your large well organized working space, but since you put it to such good use, I can hardly hold it against you, can I?

[Steve Manning]

Things are progressing on the cabinets.

First cabinet is ready for the last panel to be attached now that internal wiring has been run .....

[Steve Manning]

Panel will dry overnight to let the epoxy to set.






Cabinet #2 is one step behind in the process. Bottom will be attached today and the final side tomorrow.