Joseph's SQ Build Log

[keep_hope_alive Premium Member]

i made my first spheres using a hole saw, which leaves the center piece. then i used a paddle bit to remove the middle. this usually resulted in some material left, so i used a dremel with a cutting disc. finally, i used a dremel with a sanding wheel to perfect the opening diameter. then i had to fill the hole in the rear of the sphere created by the pilot bit on the hole saw. i used a wood plug which was then sanded smooth.

then i bought a forstner bit set. so yea, fvck the old way.

i use double-sided foam tape in the vice to increase grip while allowing for less clamping force. i don't have issues with the vice squeezing the sphere this way.

 

[keep_hope_alive Premium Member]

or i can make the spheres for you. i do that. i have a price for just the spheres made per your dimensions, or you can mail me tweeters and i'll mount them for you.

a vice is a requirement in my opinion. spheres are easy with proper tools. which is why i can fabricate and mount in about 3 hours total effort. i charge $20/hr. + materials + shipping. so price is really just based on time spent, not-to-exceed of course. i'm not a con.

 

[pro-rabbit 5,000+ posts]

i made my first spheres using a hole saw, which leaves the center piece. then i used a paddle bit to remove the middle. this usually resulted in some material left, so i used a dremel with a cutting disc. finally, i used a dremel with a sanding wheel to perfect the opening diameter. then i had to fill the hole in the rear of the sphere created by the pilot bit on the hole saw. i used a wood plug which was then sanded smooth.
then i bought a forstner bit set. so yea, fvck the old way.

i use double-sided foam tape in the vice to increase grip while allowing for less clamping force. i don't have issues with the vice squeezing the sphere this way.

Faster/easier to glass them then that method lol.

 

[keep_hope_alive Premium Member]

Faster/easier to glass them then that method lol.

no. start to finish is still under 1 hour to make the cylindrical hole, another hour to get the mounting stems positioned secured, another hour for painting/sanding. yes, i had to use several tools over several steps, but the process was still fast. glassing will take you much, much longer than that and cost more. and the end finish is less, trying to glass a perfectly smooth surface requires skill and patience. plus, you don't get the same diffraction benefits with traditional glassed pods.

these spheres are still the easiest tweeter mount i've done.

 

[pro-rabbit 5,000+ posts]

no. start to finish is still under 1 hour to make the cylindrical hole, another hour to get the mounting stems positioned secured, another hour for painting/sanding. yes, i had to use several tools over several steps, but the process was still fast. glassing will take you much, much longer than that and cost more. and the end finish is less, trying to glass a perfectly smooth surface requires skill and patience. plus, you don't get the same diffraction benefits with traditional glassed pods.
these spheres are still the easiest tweeter mount i've done.

I don't find glass work to be that hard at all to be honest.

 

[keep_hope_alive Premium Member]

I don't find glass work to be that hard at all to be honest.

i agree glass is fairly easy, but very time consuming with having to wait for curing of the various layers.

i have some paper mache eggs that i will use for the shell of pods for tweeters or small mid/full range drivers. those will be glassed.

glassing a perfect sphere is not an easy task. i've seen several attempts. even people using balloons as the form.

 

[Joseph7195 10+ year member]

I think fiberglass would be an option if I had knowledge of fiberglassing. It's one of those trades I haven't had the pleasure to learn yet. I am still trying to get "upholstery" figured out, though it's seems to be harder than I first thought.

I found a set of forstner bits, and it includes a 1" bit, which is about what I need. I don't want to make the hole to big to begin with, so I am gonna make it a little smaller and then just use a small "Dremel" like tool and slowly sand it out to the correct size. I hate to say it, but it seems the only way to make these things (and be presentable) would be with a forstner bit. Though I think a hole saw could be an option, though I don't have one to try out.. I am gonna make some more attempts tomorrow, I am really set on learning on making these things, and hopefully this log will help others too!

 

[keep_hope_alive Premium Member]

Besides the kit, you can buy individual bits. But in the larger sizes, two large bits is the price of the kit.

And yes, they are the way to make these things.

 

[wenn_du_weinst 10+ year member]

fiberglassing a sphere ***** ***.

 

[TheUnderFighter 10+ year member]

I got a couple more pics! Enjoy!

I loooove how you ran those wires. I can't believe I never thought of that. And I really wish I would have thought of it before I hacked up the wiring harness in my door.

Also, the amps and the amp rack look incredible and gorgeous and terrific. Awesome job so far!

Also, I might have to rent that bit off of you when I do my spheres.

 

[Joseph7195 10+ year member]

Well, I have been resurrecting my dash. I think all Dodge's like mine have a serious problem with the dash cracking, so I thought of a way to use up some left over denim material I used for my amp rack, and used it for my dash! I hope you like!

This is how the dash started out. In a million pieces!

I used a quick setting epoxy to bind all the pieces back together

It's not pretty, hence I was going to have to cover it

 

[Joseph7195 10+ year member]

I am going to add the tweeter spheres to it before I put it back into the truck, I have a feeling once I get it back in, it won't come out without it breaking to a million pieces!

 

[Joseph7195 10+ year member]

Here are some pics of the tweeter spheres. I need some help too.

I need help with finishing the front of the spheres

I was gonna put a metal grill over the front, but I didn't like how it looked. I need some ideas of things I could use to encircle the outside of the tweeter that would also be inside the diameter of the sphere. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated!!!

 

[Joseph7195 10+ year member]

Bump, because I can.