progress has slowed a bit, mostly due to tool access and time. I'll see If I can post an update this weekend.
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fEarful 12/6 kit : a total noob build diary
- Thread starter mambo4
- Start date
update july 12: cutting the hole for the tweeter L-Pad
I had no access to a jigsaw or 2 1/4 so I used the "drill lots of tiny holes in a circle " method.
this produced the ugliest circle cut imaginable. I managed to borrow a dremel tool from my buddy and used it to sand down the circle until smooth. The l-pad plate covers the remaining roughness.
I also removed most of the screws in anticipation of sanding. Still trying to figure out how to deal with the mis-aligned panels. I may need to shave off as much as 1/8 " from the right side to get things flush. That sounds like a lot of sanding.
I had no access to a jigsaw or 2 1/4 so I used the "drill lots of tiny holes in a circle " method.
this produced the ugliest circle cut imaginable. I managed to borrow a dremel tool from my buddy and used it to sand down the circle until smooth. The l-pad plate covers the remaining roughness.
I also removed most of the screws in anticipation of sanding. Still trying to figure out how to deal with the mis-aligned panels. I may need to shave off as much as 1/8 " from the right side to get things flush. That sounds like a lot of sanding.
That is enough material that sanding should be considered impractical. A router with a flush-trim bit would be good...any chance you know someone with a router? It wouldn't take but a minute with the right tool. Sanding the edge of plywood for material removal is a marginal proposition at best.
Even hand tools like files or rasps would be preferable than sanding.
Guys, OP had bigger fish to fry right now. Beauty and functionality are two sperate and distinct qualities. That hole is 100% functional.
I must have misunderstood. I thought that the panels were misaligned and he needed to remove 1/8” to line them back up.
That’s what I understood it to be too. I thought the 1/8” wasn’t related to the hole.
He does. The panels are misaligned but that's not a big hindrance either. He can cut/fill with a little bondo and some coarse sand paper on a flat sanding block.
I think the best thing would be to move on with the build, and get it making a fEarful noise.
The cab is fine. Sure, with more tools, you could do all kinds of stuff, but with a basic drill/ screw gun, the rest of the build is within reach.
I’d fudge the corners and edges a little bit with some heavy grit sand paper and a block of scrap. Once it’s black or whatever and the corner trims go on, it’ll look fine. Especially sitting on a stage in low light.
You do want to get done with any sanding and get the finish on before mounting any components.
Putty and paint and on to the next steps, don’t sweat the small stuff!
The cab is fine. Sure, with more tools, you could do all kinds of stuff, but with a basic drill/ screw gun, the rest of the build is within reach.
I’d fudge the corners and edges a little bit with some heavy grit sand paper and a block of scrap. Once it’s black or whatever and the corner trims go on, it’ll look fine. Especially sitting on a stage in low light.
You do want to get done with any sanding and get the finish on before mounting any components.
Putty and paint and on to the next steps, don’t sweat the small stuff!
yes my comment was not about the 2 1/4 hole, that's all good.
here are some images of the misalinged parts. The right panel is the worst, almost 1/8"
the port separator also shifted during gluing. thinking I'll extend the grill cloth to cover it. That won't compromise the functionality, will it?
I'm truly appreciative of all the feed back and suggestions. Lots of experience here! Keeps TB one of the more tolerable places on the internet.
Started measuring and cutting the foam today...
Try, as suggested, painting it black and watch the imperfections imperfectly disappear. Black on black casts no shadows.
I'm sorry, I thought you two were referring to cleaning up the hole. I'm the one who misunderstood.
Picked up a hand rasp to tame the over extended edges. One that's done my plan is to line the foam, then glue the top.
after about 30 minutes of work:
the edged looks flush! now I can look at it without turning away in shame!
I went ahead and rounded some more edges:
after about 30 minutes of work:
the edged looks flush! now I can look at it without turning away in shame!
I went ahead and rounded some more edges:
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next up : stuffing the damping foam and gluing the top.
I used a tape measure to get the chunks of foam roughly to size, eyeballing some of the corners and odd cut outs. Sliced it with an slightly dull box cutter. Held in place by 3M spray adhesive, left over from the kiddo's pre-pandemic school project.
I used a tape measure to get the chunks of foam roughly to size, eyeballing some of the corners and odd cut outs. Sliced it with an slightly dull box cutter. Held in place by 3M spray adhesive, left over from the kiddo's pre-pandemic school project.
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Then it was time for the final bout of PL, and securing the top.
I stuck a loop of string through the midrange hole to ease the wiring later.
I stuck a loop of string through the midrange hole to ease the wiring later.
I confess that when I first saw the misaligned edges I was pretty discouraged. Sure its a total noob build, but I do want this thing look passable. Turns out that wood is actually very workable stuff with the right tools. Thanks to everyone for the advice and help. I feel like I'm back on track now.
Next week will probably involve filling small holes with glue and sawdust, a lot sanding, scraping of excess glue, and maybe some duratex.
Next week will probably involve filling small holes with glue and sawdust, a lot sanding, scraping of excess glue, and maybe some duratex.
By the time it's duratexed and the corners are on it will look like a bought one, from 5 paces.
