SMJ Audio Wavecor Ardent

[Steve Manning]

Are you going to be painting the crossover compartment?

Yep ..... since we have the clear acrylic cover figured it would be a must.

[JonMarsh]

You guys are going all out! :T

[technodanvan]

Pssh, Steve's doing all the work plus 99% of the design. I just wanted the world to admire his crossovers instead of hiding them away....and created more work for Steve in the process.

[JonMarsh]

Pssh, Steve's doing all the work plus 99% of the design. I just wanted the world to admire his crossovers instead of hiding them away....and created more work for Steve in the process.

I appreciate that you DID point out that last item...

:W

[Steve Manning]

Danny's so thoughtful that way ......

[Steve Manning]

First cabinet with the trim in place and baffle epoxied on.




There be purpleheart ....

[Mikerodrig27]

Those look fantastic! Great job!

[theSven]

Yes they look fantastic. Did you order the forklift to move them around now? Looking forward to seeing how the paint job comes out.

[Steve Manning]

Thanks guys ....... no forklift, but I did pick up a lift table to get them on and off the work bench.

[JonMarsh]

Thanks guys ....... no forklift, but I did pick up a lift table to get them on and off the work bench.

That and a new friend named Igor... big guy.... really big guy!!

[technodanvan]

Looking really good Steve. Really, really good!

[Steve Manning]

Making some bamboo and purpleheart sandwiches ...... aka the bases.

This is the second base under construction.





First one basically done. Had to do some repair due to tear out and a void issues.

[JonMarsh]

Lovely! Wish I could watch you work…

[Steve Manning]

Been a productive last few days despite yard work and other household chores.

Second base was completed and again some repairs had to be made. This bamboo loves to tear out a chip big time.

Also got the clear acrylic backs machined. Inserts will be next for those.




After attaching the bases I did not like the fit/look of things, again this is wood and not everything is perfectly flat. I had been toying with having spacers of some sort from the get go between the base and the cabinet ..... spacers were ordered.

[Steve Manning]

Spacers were installed and I feel it looks better. Danny has the option of going without if so desired.

[technodanvan]

I had been thinking of using spacers for a while Steve, I think it looks really good with them!

[theSven]

I’m most likely gonna order those same spacers for my SMJ Ardent D build. They look really good with this build!

[Steve Manning]

I had been thinking of using spacers for a while Steve, I think it looks really good with them!

I guess I made the right call.

[Steve Manning]

I’m most likely gonna order those same spacers for my SMJ Ardent D build. They look really good with this build!

You might want to go with a little smaller diameter like 1" for your base. These are 1.5" and might be a little too big in the space you have.

[theSven]

You might want to go with a little smaller diameter like 1" for your base. These are 1.5" and might be a little too big in the space you have.

I’m glad my procrastination to order did me some good for once. I will look into the 1”

[JonMarsh]

A very nice look overall! :T

[Steve Manning]

So many threaded inserts ..... Circuit board and back mounting are done, for the first cabinet anyway.

Obviously no crossover parts yet, but here is the first crossover board in place.



And the first clear back installed.

[technodanvan]

Lovely!

[JonMarsh]

Dayamm, you can’t put these in a home, these are what I call museum quality build loudspeakers!

[theSven]

I wonder if Danny will have a lazy Susan type device to put these on to easily spin it to show the back of the cabinet?

[technodanvan]

I do happen to have a lazy Susan bearing that could handle the weight....

[Bear]

I do happen to have a lazy Susan bearing that could handle the weight....

Susan would not be terribly lazy, then...

[Steve Manning]

Well the "real fun" has begun ..... finishing. 8O

This is the first cabinet. Mostly successful, though I did not get all the surface imperfections sanded out like I thought. :x I might have to go pick up some glazing putty to deal with those.







In between coats of finish I've started populating the crossover boards.

[technodanvan]

Did you put anything on the HDF edges before painting? I'm finding that I'll need to sand those down on my project and since that also means sanding the face a little I'm a bit concerned that's defeating the point of skinning them in the first place.

Really like how those boards are turning out Steve.

[Steve Manning]

Did you put anything on the HDF edges before painting? I'm finding that I'll need to sand those down on my project and since that also means sanding the face a little I'm a bit concerned that's defeating the point of skinning them in the first place.

Really like how those boards are turning out Steve.

I'm applying a sealer first and then the tinted lacquer. The problem is there were some high spots on the sides of this cabinet. I hit them with a block plane and then sanded, until I thought I was smooth. Turns out, I was not. The sealer worked great for sealing, though it appears a filler might have been needed first. The imperfections might have also filled in better if the surface was parallel to the ground when applying the finish. That's way easier said than done with what these cabinets weigh, both in being to move them myself and then laying the soft finish down to support the cabinet.

Ron Bradley had suggested using polyester glazing compound for small surface issues, so I'll need to get some in the next day or so, not sure if the paint place is open tomorrow with the holiday. Not being a finishing expert by any means, every project is a learning process.

On a better note the second cabinet does not have this to deal with and I shot a couple of coats of sealer on it today, so far it's looking good.

Thanks on the boards, your going to have a one of with those.

[JonMarsh]

You guys are just having too much fun... is the anticipation cranking up yet, Danny?

:W

[technodanvan]

Definitely looking forward to seeing these in person!

[Steve Manning]

Cabinet #2 is moving along as heat permits ..... spraying in the heat of the afternoon screws with the finish.

Got to pull the tape off and see if I had any bleed through on the purpleheart. Fortunately things turned out well. A little clean up trimming at the tape joint, but it looks pretty good.

[JonMarsh]

Defiantly looks good!!

:T

[technodanvan]

I dunno about you Steve, but I think the colors chosen work pretty darn well.

[Steve Manning]

I dunno about you Steve, but I think the colors chosen work pretty darn well.

Yep, I think your right. Just enough to separate the baffle from the white cabinet without going over the top.

[Steve Manning]

Well according to my solder addled brain, we should have two finished crossover boards. :blink:

[technodanvan]

Yes, that's exactly what I expected, and then some. Beautiful job Steve! Care to give us a weight on one of those boards?

[scottvalentin]

Holy Doc Brown! NOW THAT IS A CROSSOVER

Wow Steve, hope you had the fans blowing while soldering!!

Excellent work so far, can't wait to see these buttoned up!

[Steve Manning]

Thanks guys .....

Well Danny I would have guessed ~15 lbs, but I checked and their ~10 lbs.

Yep on the fan while soldering .... I have an exhaust fan with charcoal filter made for soldering work.

[JonMarsh]

Thanks guys .....

Well Danny I would have guessed ~15 lbs, but I checked and their ~10 lbs.

Yep on the fan while soldering .... I have an exhaust fan with charcoal filter made for soldering work.

That's the only way to do it!

:T

[theSven]

More excellent work Steve. The purple board looks awesome with those cross overs.

[technodanvan]

I agree, the blue and red really go well with the purpleheart.

[Steve Manning]

A quick update ...... cabinets are done with finish application and moved inside out the humidity for a little curing.

[Mikerodrig27]

Those look spectacular! Great job!