Bakelite Speakers

[Mach]

Cobra-matic, a previous mod, needed some matching speakers. This is an old bakelite rotor that was used for adjusting the tv antenna on the roof. By turning the knob on the front, a motor would rotate the antenna.
http://lh6.ggpht.com/_UdQdiSb7gT4/SX1RmIyEV3I/AAAAAAAADa0/5EQPt1ijJ8w/s800/IMG_5151.JPG

This is a AMP6 Basic available from 41hz.com in kit form. A very nice kit BTW. The size is perfect for the speakers although a little overkill on power.
http://lh6.ggpht.com/_UdQdiSb7gT4/SX1H8mkCMNI/AAAAAAAADZM/FxXdXekFJ84/s800/IMG_5131.JPG

This is the rotor base with a new plexi insert to rout the wires, a brass housing that doubles as a heatsink, and an ALPS pot to control the volume of the amp.
http://lh5.ggpht.com/_UdQdiSb7gT4/SX1JQBWjhZI/AAAAAAAADZs/prwYybY76PA/s800/IMG_5134.JPG

Here's the AMP mounted and the tripath chip attached to top of the brass heatsink case.
http://lh6.ggpht.com/_UdQdiSb7gT4/SX1I8e13WGI/AAAAAAAADZU/izkW1EnRbuw/s800/IMG_5135.JPG

The rotor cases assembled. I made a new brass one for the satellite speaker and modded the old base for one with the amp.
http://lh3.ggpht.com/_UdQdiSb7gT4/SX1JF_aKyUI/AAAAAAAADZk/mymOkcFbDhk/s800/IMG_5148.JPG

Assembled. The speakers are 2" Tang Band from Partsexpress.com. The brass surrounds are 3" candle rings I found at Hobby Lobby. The switch on the left controls volume and the switch on the right mutes the amp. I've still some wiring cleanup and further sealing on the speakers as I'm getting some sound leakage out the bottom. Other than that, they sound pretty good. Thanks for looking. ;)
http://lh6.ggpht.com/_UdQdiSb7gT4/SX1JCB1ATbI/AAAAAAAADZc/0rRv4OqW8S8/s800/IMG_5144.JPG

[billygoat333]

those look pretty sweet! +rep

[SXRguyinMA]

nicely done, now how about a shot of those with cobra-matic? :D

[Mach]

Thanks billygoat333 and SXRguyinMA! Patience, patience :)

I've still got some clean-up to do on the speakers and Cobra-matic is apart again. I wound up shorting out the DVD player. :dead: So I've got to make like a soldering hummingbird again. The PATA to slimline adapter that I was using had soldering points sticking out on the backside. While I was adjusting the cable it pushed against DVD case. No smoke but no workey either. I've got a replacement Lite-on drive that I'll try my luck again on. I'll post details in the Cobra thread when I get a chance.

[blueonblack]

I wound up shorting out the DVD player. :dead:

NOOOOOO!!!! :eek:

Wow, that has GOT to suck. I have no doubt that your skills will bring it back to life, but still.... Damn.

On the above, all I can say is WOW. Those are just absolutely perfect. +rep!!

Ok, so let's see you find a bakelite mouse....

[Mach]

Yeah I was pretty bummed. Then again it'll give me a chance to prove that the first time wasn't a fluke (is that too glass half full?)

Thanks for the comments and the rep.

Bakelite mouse?

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_UdQdiSb7gT4/SX6ivo2GdqI/AAAAAAAADcE/RioUZfjhZOo/s400/IMG_5160.JPG

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_UdQdiSb7gT4/SX6ix_bkn8I/AAAAAAAADcM/jb4xofUwwRc/s400/IMG_5159.JPG

lol - A work in progress that started life as a police radio mic. I stored it away in the projects closet when I went down the path of brown bakelite. Almost forgot I had it.

[nevermind1534]

I like them. Interesting piece of equipment that you are using for this mod.

[jdbnsn]

Mach, your work never disappoints. Great job as always!!!

[Mach]

Thanks guys! @nevermind: Dunno, I just like the old stuff I guess.

I finished up the speakers tonight. I had bought some cloth covered wire for the speakers but it was too thick. I heard you could use round shoe laces as wire covering but I found something better at Lowes DIY.

Braided poly rope in brown green and tan (camo), kinda like this.
http://lh3.ggpht.com/_UdQdiSb7gT4/SYKoHZQT28I/AAAAAAAADe4/Nx-OOg65PMQ/s800/rope.jpg

What's cool about this stuff is the core slips right out
http://lh5.ggpht.com/_UdQdiSb7gT4/SYKonc_VaDI/AAAAAAAADeA/afiL_6mPVNE/s800/IMG_5178.JPG

So you can do stuff like this to cables
http://lh3.ggpht.com/_UdQdiSb7gT4/SYKpMz-1TKI/AAAAAAAADeQ/OIvWdebsQfY/s800/IMG_5177.JPG

Et Voila!
http://lh4.ggpht.com/_UdQdiSb7gT4/SYKpJ2j6YhI/AAAAAAAADeI/fBEkWFe9GCc/s800/IMG_5175.JPG

Now to fix Cobra-matic, I bench tested the DVD reader last night and it checks out so I'll solder it up this weekend. It looks simpler than the one I shorted out.

and then on to the sub-woofer, ;)

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_UdQdiSb7gT4/SYKrS_LSBmI/AAAAAAAADew/KXcfGzmrleI/s800/IMG_5179.JPG

[SXRguyinMA]

awesome idea for the cables

[d_stilgar]

Great looking speakers. +Rep

[Drum Thumper]

This is turning into it's own beautifully twisted steampunk series. I love it!

[Mach]

Thanks guys!
SXRguyinMA: :) Sometimes wandering around Lowe's pays off.
DrumThumper: Wait for the mouse mod. Planning for more twisting ;)

[jdbnsn]

Damn bro, that rope for the wire sleeves was genius!!! I was kicking myself when I saw that because I wanted to try to find something besides the same old braided sleeves for my Water Cubed mod wires. You sir are a master craftsman!

[Mach]

Thanks Jon! :redface: I figured hanging out in the old radio forums would have its benefits. The guys who restore old radios sometimes use shoelaces to mimic cloth covered wire. I've also seen folks who make cloth covered wire to spec if that's of interest.

On another note, the DVD mod worked. I'll post pics this week to the Cobra-matic worklog. :banana::banana:

[Liquid_Scope_99]

very nice man very nice +rep

[Mach]

Thanks LS99. Glad you like 'em. :)

I was picking up a severe ground loop from cobra-matic so I soldered a GLI in-line with the speaker wires. No more ground loop.

[tomcatt]

woot !!
those speakers are the most beautifull I've seen, very cool design :D
Rep+ from me 2 :)

and congratz on the front page

[jdbnsn]

Mach's projects are always classy looking and head-turning designs. Undoubtedly front page worthy at the least!

[birbilo]

love it love it love it!!!!!!

[Mach]

Oh wow thanks guys! Didn't expect to see that front page when I logged in! :yellow_green: Many thanks to OvRiDe for the great writeup.

Thanks Jon, Tomcatt, and birbilo for the congrats and the kind comments! :)