ER18 build (for real this time!)

[slipperybidness]

After some digging, all the claw feet I can find are too tall- like 6" tall. Thinking a cherry shadow base is the way to go. I did find some 3" pewter balls that were kind of cool, but pricey at $39 ea. Satin or flat black 3" balls would be cool too, but not at $320 for the 8 I'd need

Perhaps go to a thrift store and find a couple old chairs with the claws for cheap?

 

[David LR]

Matt
My 2¢, save some cash and make the shadow base. I think cherry would look great if you have it.

OK, my opinion will make 4cents (don't know how to do the special character for cents).

The shadow base would by my choice also, just fits the design better, IMO,
on the other hand, I don't have much of an appreciation for antique furniture so what do I know.

 

[mattsk8]

This is the only speaker I could find w/ claw feet Kolster 20 with matching speaker.
Not really my forte.

Been a while since I worked on these. Been super busy w/ summer fun, and also wanted to walk away for a bit till I could come up w/ a design for the base I was happy w/ and last night I finally did! Can't work on them tonight, but hopefully tomorrow I'll have pics of them w/ the finished bases...

 

[mattsk8]

Base...

Also dressed up the backs of them a bit. Now I can get to finding a finish I'm satisfied w/ and these things will be DONE!!!

 

[mattsk8]

Got some color on these. They're redder than they look in the pic. I have to wait for the boiled linseed oil to air out now, so Saturday I hope to start padding shellac over them for the final finish.

 

[slipperybidness]

Looking good!

 

[pgkhorn]

Wow, the cherry really looks great Matt--keep those pics coming!! I can't wait until you have the soundoff with the Statements and the results!! Pete

Got some color on these. They're redder than they look in the pic. I have to wait for the boiled linseed oil to air out now, so Saturday I hope to start padding shellac over them for the final finish.

 

[pgkhorn]

Base...

Also dressed up the backs of them a bit. Now I can get to finding a finish I'm satisfied w/ and these things will be DONE!!!

Nice Base--definitely like that better than those antique "Claws"

 

[Missionman]

Wow, Beautiful set of speakers there mate.
I wish i had the patience to produce something as gorgous as that..
I have the correct tools and skills, but i lack patience

 

[Send Margaritas]

That's looking very nice. Good work!

 

[mattsk8]

Wow, Beautiful set of speakers there mate.
I wish i had the patience to produce something as gorgous as that..
I have the correct tools and skills, but i lack patience

Thanks everyone for the kind remarks!

I'm running out of that patience, struggling w/ the finish. Put the last of 3 coats of brushed gloss Ceramithane down last night. I've used Ceramithane a million times w/out an issue, but only the satin. This time I'm using gloss and getting brush streaks in the sheen. I'm going to polish them and everyone I've talked to (that knows more than I do about finishing) says that's just the nature of brushing gloss and that I shouldn't worry, it'll buff out. Problem is, it won't before the demo at Meniscus Friday because the finish needs to cure for 7 days before buffing, which kinda sucks. Guess it is what it is .

Just time consuming. Finishing w/ gloss over dark colors sucks, that's the bottom line! I should've just done these the way I used to do my cabinets and just built them and payed someone else to do the final finish crap.

 

[slipperybidness]

Thanks everyone for the kind remarks!

I'm running out of that patience, struggling w/ the finish. Put the last of 3 coats of brushed gloss Ceramithane down last night. I've used Ceramithane a million times w/out an issue, but only the satin. This time I'm using gloss and getting brush streaks in the sheen. I'm going to polish them and everyone I've talked to (that knows more than I do about finishing) says that's just the nature of brushing gloss and that I shouldn't worry, it'll buff out. Problem is, it won't before the demo at Meniscus Friday because the finish needs to cure for 7 days before buffing, which kinda sucks. Guess it is what it is .

Just time consuming. Finishing w/ gloss over dark colors sucks, that's the bottom line! I should've just done these the way I used to do my cabinets and just built them and payed someone else to do the final finish crap.

I would guess you could spray it to avoid the visible brush strokes? Of course that is more money for equipment, however a local HD may rent a sprayer.

 

[mattsk8]

I would guess you could spray it to avoid the visible brush strokes? Of course that is more money for equipment, however a local HD may rent a sprayer.

I actually almost bought a Graco 4900 hvlp sprayer to replace my current one, but the wife put the brakes on buying the Graco (for now ). My current hvlp works great for spraying automotive paints or just spraying dyes on wood; but any lacquer, poly or shellac is a bit too thick for it. By the time I thin it down enough to get it to spray decent, it's way too dry. I looked into getting new spray nozzles for my gun (mine has a .07, they recommend a 1.4ish to spray most wood finishes), but Graco doesn't make parts for it cuz it's 15 years old. Then I considered another gun and just dedicate my old one to dyes; but by the time I spend $500 for a gun, I may as well go a little deeper and have that big, bad 4 stage spraying system plus a new gun.

Couple all that w/ the fact that the only area I have to spray is in my saw dusty shop and it's just a bad combination; hence the reason for subbing out all my finish work back when I did custom kitchens.

 

[Swerd]

I'm running out of that patience, struggling w/ the finish. Put the last of 3 coats of brushed gloss Ceramithane down last night. I've used Ceramithane a million times w/out an issue, but only the satin. This time I'm using gloss and getting brush streaks in the sheen. I'm going to polish them and everyone I've talked to (that knows more than I do about finishing) says that's just the nature of brushing gloss and that I shouldn't worry, it'll buff out. Problem is, it won't before the demo at Meniscus Friday because the finish needs to cure for 7 days before buffing, which kinda sucks. Guess it is what it is .

I bet NOBODY at Meniscus this Friday will say, "I kind of liked those ER18 MTMs but those damn brush strokes on the finish ruined them for me!" .

Hang in there, let them dry at least 7 days, and don't look at them until its time to buff.

 

[slipperybidness]

I actually almost bought a Graco 4900 hvlp sprayer to replace my current one, but the wife put the brakes on buying the Graco (for now ). My current hvlp works great for spraying automotive paints or just spraying dyes on wood; but any lacquer, poly or shellac is a bit too thick for it. By the time I thin it down enough to get it to spray decent, it's way too dry. I looked into getting new spray nozzles for my gun (mine has a .07, they recommend a 1.4ish to spray most wood finishes), but Graco doesn't make parts for it cuz it's 15 years old. Then I considered another gun and just dedicate my old one to dyes; but by the time I spend $500 for a gun, I may as well go a little deeper and have that big, bad 4 stage spraying system plus a new gun.

Couple all that w/ the fact that the only area I have to spray is in my saw dusty shop and it's just a bad combination; hence the reason for subbing out all my finish work back when I did custom kitchens.

One rule with my GF is she can never complain about me spending money on tools! It always works out to be a money saver in the long run, always.

 

[mattsk8]

One rule with my GF is she can never complain about me spending money on tools! It always works out to be a money saver in the long run, always.

I feel ya. I laid those rules down about 13 years and 4 kids ago too . I do have a great woman, but being a great woman also means she's the voice of reason. That spray system's about $1300, and being the weirdo I am would also mean building some sort of spraybooth cuz it would be a waist not to. Pretty sure that God willing, in time that will go down. Till then I'll just cuss and swear at the brushing and dust woes I'm faced w/ now and vent those frustrations w/ the good guys on the AH forum

 

[slipperybidness]

I feel ya. I laid those rules down about 13 years and 4 kids ago too . I do have a great woman, but being a great woman also means she's the voice of reason. That spray system's about $1300, and being the weirdo I am would also mean building some sort of spraybooth cuz it would be a waist not to. Pretty sure that God willing, in time that will go down. Till then I'll just cuss and swear at the brushing and dust woes I'm faced w/ now and vent those frustrations w/ the good guys on the AH forum

Dang, didn't realize it was that expensive. Yeah, she prob had the right idea keepin you in line. Anyway, more $ for electronics and speakers

Again, I dunno for sure but you might be able to rent one somewhere next time.

 

[WiseG]

Nice set of speakers. I specially like the nice base. What kind of veener did yoy use?

 

[mattsk8]

Cherry veneer. This is from page 5, about how I made it...

Anyhow. I have all the dados and rabbets cut in. I also have the veneer for the sides of the cabinets cut. Originally, the plan was to match that table's design. Then, after a bit of resawing and planing, I had some nice bookmatched pcs so I decided to go that route- mainly because it would be way easier. Unfortunately, I got a little arrogent w/ my planer and tried to take the veneer down to 3/32; needless to say I found the limits of my planer for veneer thickness! Ended up taking some decent chunks out of a couple pcs so I decided to go back to the strips to save on cherry.

Here's some pics of the strips I plan on using for the sides

Pic w/ the cherry baffle glued on, braces, rabbets and dados

I cut a 1/4" channel in the bottom of the baffle so I can tuck the 1/4" thick veneer under it. That way I won't have to match the contour of the radius on the bottom of the baffle

A pic of the baffles w/ the drivers marked out and ready to be routed in. By the time I had em ready for the router it was after 10pm n didn't want to make new enemys next door; should get those cut out tonight. Then xovers, then assemble cabinets!! Getting excited! I threw that board on them just to show it, it's the wood I started w/ (cherry). Resawed that into the veneer I'm using.

 

[mattsk8]

Done!!!!

For the most part. I still have to polish them and make grills, but they're together.

HOLY COW, what a difference the stuffing, port, and woofer seals made!!!! I was honestly a little disappointed when I first heard these, but my goodness did that ever make a difference. W/out it they were too boomy when they shouldn't be, and sounded like they had bad mids (probably cuz the mids were being drowned by the drawn out bass). They're all good now

I'm even a day early ! Tomorrow I can sit in front of these and enjoy. Hauling them to Meniscus for the show on Saturday.