I was given a set of monitor speakers that I'm playing around with. In taking them apart I found they have the yellow fiberglass insulation. That stuff is ITCHY! I was wondering if I could yank it out of the cabinet (using my respirator and a bodysuit upwind....) and replace it with something else on the cheap? They're 3/4ish wooden enclosures.
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Replace fiberglass insulation with something less itchy?
- Thread starter nsmar4211
- Start date
there is "angel hair" (long strands non fiberglass) type insulation.. no need to go to all these measures (body suit)..
It's yellow and when I brushed it it made me itch...I've had fiberglass in my clothes and it's not any fun 
Here's a pic of it (right side of the picture). I've got a bunch of contact allergies so if it's possible/cheapish I'd rather not have itchy stuff around to deal with
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Here's a pic of it (right side of the picture). I've got a bunch of contact allergies so if it's possible/cheapish I'd rather not have itchy stuff around to deal with
.Attachments
It shouldn't be a problem if you put the monitors back together and leave them alone.
+1.
+2. but you can use foam mattress padding that you buy at WalMart for cheap if it really means that much to you.
IME, foam padding will decay over time and fall apart. IMO, best to leave the fiberglass installed. Wear medical type gloves, an old long sleeve shirt and eye protection when working on a cab.
Possibly cover the exposed 'glass with some taped on cardboard, plastic, or even newspaper.
Possibly cover the exposed 'glass with some taped on cardboard, plastic, or even newspaper.
If it weren't for the fact that the little fibers are coming out of the cabinet even when put together I'd agree with the "just leave it" things. There's a gap at the bottom of the monitors (a port maybe?) and you can see the little sparkly/itchy things come out every time the cabinet is moved. Can't be good to breathe and isn't something I think I'd want on my equipment parts.... Besides, if it's something I can replace while the speakers are apart, best to do it now!
I've seen the black foam stuff inside some speakers, where do you get that? (looks like a mattress pad but industrial strength)...
I've seen the black foam stuff inside some speakers, where do you get that? (looks like a mattress pad but industrial strength)...
I've used the Wamart quilt stuffing in my 606's. Works great, not at all itchy. Cheap too.
Yep, fiberglass sucks and some folks are way more irritated by it than others. If you get it on you, rinse with COLD water first and try not to rub it in. Use a particle mask and rubber gloves, and a vacuum to get the tiny glass fibers.
Yep, fiberglass sucks and some folks are way more irritated by it than others. If you get it on you, rinse with COLD water first and try not to rub it in. Use a particle mask and rubber gloves, and a vacuum to get the tiny glass fibers.
If you hadn't opened the monitor up and disturbed the insulation you wouldn't have had a problem. Just sayin.
The cabinets had to come apart to find out what was the problem with the 1/4 jacks.....the fiberglass particles were coming out of the cabinet *before* I took them apart anyway. So the "smart" remarks can cease now-I'm looking for useful suggestions...thanks.
Stumbo-won't any kinda of newspaper or cardboard I put inside the cabinet cause a rattle? Not quite sure how I'd secure it over the insulation, tape definetly wouldn't hold anything to the insulation!
singlemalt- You mean the fiberfill stuff? White puffy, usually comes in a clear bag? Or did you use the sheets of quilting batting? Never thought about using those.....
Stumbo-won't any kinda of newspaper or cardboard I put inside the cabinet cause a rattle? Not quite sure how I'd secure it over the insulation, tape definetly wouldn't hold anything to the insulation!
singlemalt- You mean the fiberfill stuff? White puffy, usually comes in a clear bag? Or did you use the sheets of quilting batting? Never thought about using those.....
By the way, as someone that works with fiberglass and other man made vitreous fibers for a living, head over to lowe's or home depot, pick up a tyvek coverall suit (don't worry about the respirator unless you are doing like 10 of them, it won't effect you if you follow my instructions) and a set of latex gloves and a spray mister (like a glass cleaner sprayer). Get dressed in the Tyveks and gloves, carefully take out the speaker and other electrical components. Use a razor knife and cut the fiberglass out (don't yank and tear in other words), spray the fiberglass lightly with water with a small amount of windex or dish soap. Don't saturate it, just mist it lightly - that will keep 98 percent of the stray fibers from flying away. Put said glass in a plastic garbage bag, when you are done with all the glass, use a zip tie to seal the bag. If you remove the glass like this you should have no issues with any itching, this is how we remove MMVF in buildings, remodels, etc.
I use pillow stuffing. Easy to work with, no side effects, and is very affordable. If you have a Joannes fabric store near you. It comes in one pillow size bages. Comes apart so you can use as much as you need. We re-worked 9 2-12" 2" wedges last down season, and the wedges actully sound better than they did. They did used to have that fiberglass crap in them.
I thought you meant that the fiberglass was only bothering you when you worked on them. That' why I suggested covering the 'glass while you worked on them.
Maybe it's coming apart because it's old and dried. Maybe putting in some new fiberglass material or using some of the other materials suggest in other posts might work.
Here's a link to some stuff that might work: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Quote:
Here's a link to some stuff that might work: Invalid Link Removed
This stuff won't work in ported cabinets, it will come out of the holes. Virtually any soft material that comes in sheets will work. Paper-backed fiberglass is most commonly used because it does a good job, is inexpensive, the paper backing holds it together, and it's easy to install with a staplegun.
Foam rubber padding works but will deteriorate over time,requiring replacement.
You could go hit the local goodwill/thrift store and get some small pillows or comforters but if you use comforters make surethey aren't down-filled.
Here's a link to some stuff that might work: Invalid Link Removed
This stuff won't work in ported cabinets, it will come out of the holes. Virtually any soft material that comes in sheets will work. Paper-backed fiberglass is most commonly used because it does a good job, is inexpensive, the paper backing holds it together, and it's easy to install with a staplegun.
Foam rubber padding works but will deteriorate over time,requiring replacement.
You could go hit the local goodwill/thrift store and get some small pillows or comforters but if you use comforters make surethey aren't down-filled.
Look up "Ultratouch". It's sold in batts & bundles, just like the fiberglass stuff and is made from old cotton clothing, mostly denim, (it's blue). All the old hippies here in Berkeley love it and insist on it for any construction projects, because they believe that fiberglass insulation emits toxic gases.
Of course, as is true with most "green" building products, it is significantly more expensive than the conventional product. But if you can get your local lumber yard to sell you 1 or 2 batts out of a bundle, it shouldn't break the bank. Oh, yeah, you need a good sharp knife for this stuff; it doesn't slice up nice and easy like the toxic stuff with the Pink Panther on the wrapper.
Of course, as is true with most "green" building products, it is significantly more expensive than the conventional product. But if you can get your local lumber yard to sell you 1 or 2 batts out of a bundle, it shouldn't break the bank. Oh, yeah, you need a good sharp knife for this stuff; it doesn't slice up nice and easy like the toxic stuff with the Pink Panther on the wrapper.
1" polyester furniture batting available from any upholsterer. My business carries the 2" and 4" eggcrate pads which also work.
Riis
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