My new translam Project

[gmed]

I am almost finished with the second speaker. The second speaker was a little more difficult to finish and easier at the same time. My first version of the second speaker got messed up due to router bit mess-up, and there was no way to salvage the speaker, so I had to start another one, and since I had spent many days on just 6 layers of plywood in the intense summer heat, I just couldn't do it anymore and was ready to give up. this is when I spoke to a friend of a friend who has a $100K CNC router table who cut it all for me for a price, but it was all worth it. I finished gluing all the pieces in 4 days, vs 6 months part time!!!

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Straightening the edges of the inset for the front baffle

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For those of you who wonder how I did the rear flat area for the port, here is how. First I nailed couple of boards from either side so that the speaker can face up straight, with baffle looking up.

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Then, on my router table, nailed couple of stops on either side, measured to a specific distance in-order to make my flat space a specific length.

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then pass the speaker on the router table using the bit that you see in the pic which is a 1" radius circular bit.

And you get

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You still have to do some sanding, but it gets the job done.
Basically, this is what I was trying to achieve.



Just few more weeks and I should be ready for the NoCal DIY meet.

[ThomasW]

If you want to compress the pictures to something reasonable like 50-70K the embedded images can return. Placing 14 pictures in one post, all of which were 500K or larger is inconsiderate of those not having high-speed connections..

[Fred333]

Very nice looking project. I really like the layer look.

[gmed]

So almost finished, now working on the finish. It is amazing how the grains just pop out at you. The pictures dont do the wood justice, I mean its only simple BB plywood, the finish is coming out great.

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I'm using wipe on Poly. Very easy to work with.

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[yousuredo2]

Nice work...
leaving them naked in all there glory, very interesting...

[jkrutke]

Looking great. Natural with wipe-on poly is the prefered finish for laminated plywood. On my own plywood project, I'm experimenting with dark red and dark blue on some scrap pieces.

[Hdale85]

Where did you find those spikes? They very expebsive?

[cjd]

FWIW, the binding post plates Parts Express sells work perfectly with the Supra posts. Very nice plates, too.

Project looks superb!

C

[gmed]

Thanks for the nice words. The spikes I found online. $100 for a set of 2x4. The binding post plate Im making them myself from aluminum, due to the small space available.

[gmed]

So finally done with the finish for the first speaker, spikes in place, up next is the aluminum port and binding post plate, then the crossover. As you can see I was able to find a reverse round over bit, so the woofer hole has a round over from the inside. Nice, ha?

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[gmed]

1-2 days away from listening to my speakers.

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[cjd]

Nice stuff!

[gmed]

Finally the first one is done, and it sounds amazing. No measurements since I don't have the means, but I can tell you, Im gonna have a lot of fun with them.

Does any one know how and how long I need to burn them in?

Is it necessary?

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[Gir]

Wow, those look absolutely amazing! Great work!

[mike93lx]

gmed, how are they sounding? I am planning to start my own translam project soon as well and will definitely incorporate some of your ideas. fantastic job!

how deep and wide are yours? my design right now is at 9" wide by 11.5" deep for a 2way bookshelf.

thanks!

[gmed]

Thanks, They are sounding excellent. Though I havent spent much time with them since I am now working on the Stands. They sound very crisp and warm. Very impressive deep bass considering Im using 7" woofers in this enclosure. I was expecting a very tight bass due to the enclosure being very rigid, but Im a ctually pretty happy with the sound. They havent broken in yet, in fact havent even begun yet, but Im sure as I use them they will sound better. Mine measure roughly 14 by 17.5, if im not mistaking.

If you have any questions, do not hesitate to ask.

[mike93lx]

wow, that is a sizable bookshelf speaker. Now I'm wondering if I should make mine larger.

How many flush bits did you run through on the first cabinet? were you able to do it all with one?

[gmed]

For the first speaker, I used may i believe about 5 or 6. Thank goodness for Rockler and their deals, or else they really would cost a lot. You could use less but they get blunt and do not cut as well.

[SQconstable]

So did you basically make one perfect one, and then flush-bit route all the others from that "template"? I think I've found exactly the type of enclosure style I want to build for the SR71 kit! You are my hero, man.

[gmed]

Yes, I had someone cut me a template with CNC router based on the drawing I did on Corel Draw, then i used a flush bit to cut the rest. i glued the subsequent rectangular piece of BB plywood onto the previous, nailed it using a brad gun, then cut using a router table. You can see what Im talking about on the first page of the thread.

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