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Post by Blaine on Mar 21, 2020 20:50:21 GMT -7
So what's your Covid 19 isolation project ? I found these speakers a few months ago, they've been waiting for me to have some time to pay attention to them. So, I guess now I have some time. They were produced from 1927 to 1928, the body is cast pot metal with an early version of a paper cone speaker. In their time the sound quality of these speakers was about as good as it got and they still sound pretty good today.
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Post by Blaine on Mar 21, 2020 21:18:11 GMT -7
After 90ish years of existence, the metal bodies begin to have chips break off. From what I read, imperfections in the metal alloy cause them to chip. One of the speakers still works and the paper cone is in good condition, the other is missing the large driver solenoid and the cone is ripped. These speakers needed considerably more volts and amps to drive them than modern speakers, my solid state amplifier can barely provide enough power. Makes them not that usable with modern equipment and I don't have a mid to late 20's radio to use them with. So the plan is to restore the bodies and install modern components inside them, a 'non destructive' upgrade and carefully pack away the original parts so they can be put back into service one day. A little JB Weld to fill in the chips A look inside. Trying for a close up on one of the chipped spots.
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Post by Blaine on Mar 21, 2020 21:25:00 GMT -7
A look at the working speaker. The bottom cover. I got one of the bodies sanded, primed and a first coat of paint on one speaker today. I'll let it sit overnight and give it light sanding with some 2000 grit paper and then a second coat of paint tomorrow. Cheers Blaine
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Post by Blaine on Mar 22, 2020 15:19:16 GMT -7
After a day to let everything cure/set/dry it was time for some sanding and priming. After the primer dried, it was time for some more filling and sanding. Now to let that filler cure.
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Post by Blaine on Mar 22, 2020 15:23:21 GMT -7
The other speaker got it's first coat of paint yesterday. It's looking pretty good. The paint seems a little lighter than the cap would indicate, but maybe it will darken with some time. There are a couple of spots that will need a little wet sanding with some 2000 grit and a little more paint.
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Post by Blaine on Mar 22, 2020 15:24:28 GMT -7
Now to get to work on the insides.
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Post by kahuna on Mar 24, 2020 9:31:19 GMT -7
Awesome, keep going!
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Post by Blaine on Apr 6, 2020 7:24:18 GMT -7
I haven't forgotten this little project, but I don't like sanding/painting in the house because of the dust and odors.
As soon as mother nature cooperates a little, I'll be back at it.
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Post by Blaine on Jun 28, 2020 11:55:29 GMT -7
It's Alive ... Finally ! After a whole bunch of just being not happy how these speakers were coming together I decided to strip them down and start over. I found paint that better matched the original paint and gives a better finished look ( I think ). The metal on these speakers is in rough condition and I'm sure a professional could get a nice finish on them ,but I couldn't, this paint has more of a rough surface to it and hides a few of the imperfections. Some new fabric for the speaker cover, a generic powered bluetooth amplifier, a set of Pioneer 6.5 inch speakers and a few hours of putting it all together and we have music playing ! There is a second speaker, that would be done if SOMEONE (me) hadn't chipped the paint on it, it will act as just a plain speaker to attach to this one.
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Post by Blaine on Jun 28, 2020 11:57:15 GMT -7
Once I get the paint on the other speaker fixed up, I'll post a few more glamour shots of the pair of them.
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Post by kahuna on Jul 1, 2020 15:13:17 GMT -7
Awesome. It looks great!
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Post by Blaine on Jul 1, 2020 20:25:14 GMT -7
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