Slow progress this week.Attachment 4818
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Slow progress this week.Attachment 4818
looking good though
:popcorn:
David, that is fantastic! Many thanks for posting, keep them coming. A real help for those considering the same.Quote:
Originally Posted by daveskis
Can you post up the plans you are using? Thanks!
Post lots and lots of pics and details of the good and bad points of the build. This is really interesting.:cool:
Just realised the photo I posted is last weeks effort, admittedly not much of change hence the reason for posting the wrong photo. Sorry about that. Should have been this one.
The challenge has to been to rekindle my woodworking skills. This and constantly referring to the plans for interpretation of the drawings makes for very slow construction.
Hoping to step it up as I get in to the next week.Attachment 4819
Most of us would have started with making a spice rack or something!:lolsign:Quote:
Originally Posted by daveskis
Steve HiQuote:
Originally Posted by aquapiranha
Yes plans came from a Serbian website DIY, here.......http://www.diyaudio.rs/topic/2723-di...067#entry54067
Hi David, I downloaded the 19 .pdf's, is that all that would be needed or are there more3 required? Thanks for your help on this David.
SteveQuote:
Originally Posted by aquapiranha
Some further advice.........
I downloaded almost all of the photos and comments on each of the web posts. I presume you translated them first.
As I may have indicated, I spent literally hours studying every detail(the Westminsters are a very complicated design)and to further complicate matters the guy has also included some of the previous measurements from another copy which are clearly wrong(these are the four or five plans he posted before the 19PDF's)
Sorry it sounds as though I am advising you against starting the build.
Feel free to PM me if you want advice as you go along.
Thanks David. I am still just 'considering' the idea. I have never actually heard westminsters but I have heard Canterburys and a couple of other and all impressed greatly. Now, DIY canterburys would be doable too, but I have never seen any DIY versions.Quote:
Originally Posted by daveskis
:scratch:
The Tannoy Monitor Golds are on my wish list for a vintage/classic set up. Doing a lot of research on the various cabinet builds together with the upgrading of the crossovers etc.
I will embark on a similar project when I have decided on the rest of the gear hopefully over the coming months.
Do keep us informed on how you get on. I'm sure a lot of us will be asking a lot of questions on your recreation of the Westminster.
My garage is still lined with panels that unbelievably will still be added to the two enclosures.
Attachment 4866
Attachment 4867
The Tale of the Tannoys
Once upon a time way back in the 70's I attended a Hi Fi Show in downtown Melbourne Australia.
There we were all gathered in a room to listen to a bass drum test record(yes that old fashioned vinyl stuff) The amp used can't remember, the speakers were those amazing Paul Klipsch Corner Horns. My body moved on that day
with the bass drum. I was blown away as they say in the classics.
I just have to have some of these I thought, couldn't be that hart to procure some.
Fast Forward 2011.........(no I didn't buy Mr Klipsch speakers in 1974 I built Arden Monitors instead).
So the drivers are 15" Monitor Golds Dual Concentrics HPD 385A's. The rolled edges have been replaced with new and the x overs have new components.
The Ardens have served me well, it's now time to replace them, and in the back of my mind I'm hoping that the elusive bass drum sound will be replicated and move me once again in a couple of months time........from vinyl in my own living room, instead!!
At worst I have two new places to live now.
:lolsign:Quote:
At worst I have two new places to live now.
Nice work David!
I really do doff my hat to you DIY chaps, it never ceases to amaze me what you create. :respect:
Nice to have a garage to start a project such as this. Not easy when you live in an apartment where space and praticality is an issue. The only way for me is to hijack my parents garage but would mean clearing out all my other junk:lol:
Good work Daveskis - what are using for the wood - mdf and birch ply?
I joined because or your build here, and I'll watch with interest.
I've heard factory Westies a couple of times and nearly bought some a few years ago, out of Melbourne, actually.
Quote:
Originally Posted by A9X
Brett
Using MDF with Plywood Veneer might use Tasmanian Blackwood(its such a great and unique timber in Oz) as the finish material for all the outside panels. looking to make WMR's unique.....can't say Im that keen on the classic walnut factory look.
Any suggestions gratefully received.
Stained the internal panels to match the outer panels last night. The Tasmanian Blackwood has been ordered for the external panels......I'm amazed at the huge difference in the wood color of the sheets from almost creamy yellow to reddish brown. It is indeed a beautiful timber and from one of the oldest forests on the planet.
I have decided to strengthen all the panels.......this is not on the plans, but can't be anything but a good idea I'm thinking.
Panels have been trimmed and sanded. The outer panels are checked for fit and more bracing 19mm ply strips are added for strengthAttachment 4907
Did you make any modifications to the plans from the Serbian project?
Any useful tips you have encountered would be greatly appreciated. Do keep us informed on you progress and plenty of photos please.
I hope to embark on a similar project soon.
Quote:
Originally Posted by daveskis
LOL, I can see your cat doing a stretch in the background, and it's bum in the air. Nasty little thing ;)
Peter be very careful with the plans. As I indicated before he has mixed up plans from elsewhere with his own.Quote:
Originally Posted by pavalon
I have altered the panel sizes of most panels and added quite a bit more internal bracing.
As indicated by one of these forums he has the front speaker horn slightly too high(although I think this is more aesthetic than anything else)
If you start with construction of the bases and then the internal panels and work towards the outer panels, you can't go wrong really.
Make no mistake they are complicated, print out the plans and study them for a couple of hours, before you start.
Wow, this is a great looking project.
As a GRF builder and now 5 way horn DIY builder I know some of the logistics involved in something of this scale. Full marks for taking it on.
I look forward to reading the updates and that wonderful time of commissioning and first listening...
Have printed out all the plans and tried to familiarise myself the different panels and their connecting pieces. Hoping to just hand over a spec list to my local timber merchant for pricing and hopefully if not too expensive also for him to cut the wood to the exact sizes.Quote:
Originally Posted by daveskis
I will not rush into this as you said it is a complicated build.........
Keep the progress report coming in.........:)
Thanks Steve, I read your posts of the GRF build with great interest before i started the WMR's.Quote:
Originally Posted by speedy.steve
I did wonder a couple of times about building the GRF's. I guess it comes down to plenty of designs and details of builds for the GRF's and alas only one I could find on Westminster's(written in Serbian, and nothing wrong with that he did a fantastic job, better than I did on the translation for sure)........and I'm crazy enough for the challenge, hope they come someway near your job Steve.
Yes mate caution is a word you should use often in sentences describing this build(just try for instance looking at the plan and figuring out where the rear horn goes from the 15" drivers to the front)Quote:
Originally Posted by pavalon
Start with the base(don't use any of the plans first listed on his posts No.6-11....Print No.12 which is the List of all the Panels, then all No13. Starting with WMR 1.pdf to WMR 19.pdf)
As I started to say build both bases Panel R, as he has done and then build from the centre out.
As I said earlier on this thread, I did a lot of research before starting the build on the WMR. Even to the extent of checking which type of adhesive would be best suited to the task. For all the joints requiring strength(screwed and glued), I'm using Durabond a Selleys product which has very high strength. It is unusual when it is drying it expands filling the joint and any gaps. Ok it is twice the price of Aquadhere......but excellent nonetheless.
I also use Interior Aquadhere for the larger areas gluing ply and veneer on to sheets of MDF.
For extra bracing where strength is required on internal Panels D I use strips of 25mm square ply and for locating of panels, on the Base Panel R and the Top Panel T, strips of 19mm square ply.
All the internal Panels are 18mm MDF the outer including front and rear 25mm with 3.6mm veneer adding up to 28.6mm.
And yes I did make the bases 54mm
Panels are sanded once, stained once and lacquered once.
And now to construction of the front horn ribs.........this should be interesting....now where are my protractors and compass??Attachment 4915
Wow these have taken a long tome to build.......3/4 of a day....although I do have the Top Ribs started at least. The problem. How do you cut a nice smooth circle, anyway it has taken far too long.Attachment 4921
Nearly there daveskis.......good luck with the rest of the project.
Would love to see the finished cabinets which should inspire me to take on the project myself. In the meantime I will do some research on the Tannoy drivers.
Peter I would get your drivers first.....if you haven't already. And just go for it.Quote:
Originally Posted by pavalon
As I indicated before, preparation is the key to success here. You need to know every detail before you start.
Check the plans, check the measurements, re-check the measurements, re-check the plans.
Half way through attaching square 25mm ply for supports on Panel D(the first internal panels) I discovered I hadn't allowed for the thickness of Panel J. Which placed the other two supports lower on the same face in the wrong position. Fortunately I had only glued and screwed one of these.
Its the only mistake so far..........that I'm aware of.....hope I haven't missed any.
But look its timber you can change anything. I like to think of it as my interpretation of the plans and I can already see where I have improved these cabinets.....of course the proof will be in the listening.
As to your research in to the Tannoy Drivers you get what you pay for and you get a lot. Why are they famous, because they are excellent at what they produce, very good sound.
At last the Top Ribs are ready to attach. It was a little tricky to get right.
The Top Ribs are a different curve to the Lower Ribs, the Serbian Plans have the Horn about 2cm too high in the enclosure......but as I have previously indicated this is structural and should have no impact on sound reproduction. It is a lot easier and I think I prefer the asymmetrical look
Still waiting on my Tasmanian Blackwood Veneer to progress further with the boxes. Attachment 4969
Attachment 4970
Looking good Dave! Keep the updates coming.
Been following this with some interest, the speakers look great. They must be massive as they appear to dwarf your car!!
Wow. Big Cabinets indeed.
I would not be able to get them out of my apartment when I decide on a house move.:lol:
Well there you go Peter, you can live in them with an annex.Quote:
Originally Posted by pavalon
The front Panels with Tasmanian Blackwood veneer applied. The Horn space is yet to be cut.Attachment 5035
I'd like to register a complaint. Progress on this project is too slow :ner: !!
My interest is so piqued that I feel the project must be finished imediately, or I just might burst!! :lol:
The pattern on those panels looks amazing. Grest choice of wood there.Quote:
Originally Posted by daveskis
Does make a lot difference to the appearance of the cabinets.
Very nice work indeed, following with interest :) I also wish you total success, this is one hell of a project :eek:
Sorry it doesn't seem as though I am taking this project seriously enough.
There I go having skiing holidays to New Zealand and Perisher Ski Resort in Oz, while my two enclosure lay idle in my garage.
I am fairly desperate to get some results this weekend. Having said that, it has taken me all afternoon to locate and attach 8 'T' nuts for locating the drivers and attach over these 'T' nuts, the Blackwood Veneer, that will be the surrounds of the drivers.
However there are components complete waiting to be assembled. So there should be some faster progress soon.[ATTACH]5118[/ATTACH]
Tha cabinets are looking better with three coats of satin. Attachment 5143
The inspector approves the changes!Attachment 5144
Those are HUGE :eek: check out the size of the cabinets to your garage door :)
Um, will they fit through, won't they David? :eek: ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by REXTON
Have you thought of renting them out as holiday lets...?
:lolsign:Quote:
Originally Posted by Thing Fish