How do I grill my speakers, well done

[Red Spud]

I'm using the new PE premium black grill cloth http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=260-332 , frames will be 3/4" ply about 18"x24". Would you use hot glue, staples, both, or something else, and why? Any techniques/ tips appreciated. Thanks!

[john trials]

I use 3M Super 77. Lowes and HD have it.

Lay the grill fabric on a flat table. Spray the adhesive on the rear of the grill frame, then lay the front side of the frame down on the fabric (adhesive side up). Start pulling the fabric around the frame and push it into the adhesive. I start pulling the fabric in the middle of the sides, then work towards the corners.

[charlielaub]

I used the "search" feature and came up with this thread from about a year ago:

http://techtalk.parts-express.com/showthread.php?t=215426&highlight=grill+cloth+frame+build

...and...

http://techtalk.parts-express.com/showthread.php?t=208388&highlight=grill+cloth+frame+build

Here's more:
http://www.humanspeakers.com/howto/grill.htm


That should get you pointed in the right direction, for starters at least.

-Charlie

[maynardg]

This is what you need:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000BD5J16/ref=asc_df_B000BD5J161397637?smid=A1TLGX60ZNR8D5&tag=shopzilla_mp_1212-20&linkCode=asn&creative=395105&creativeASIN=B000BD5J16

Also available at Lowes, etc. Cut to size, assemble. Wrap the grill cloth around the frame and roll in the spline. Light weight, easy, no glue required. The small spaces in the corners can hold magnets to hold the grill in place.

[arlis_1957@yahoo.com]

i have made them using hot melt glue. my trick is to just get them attached. i then trim the material. i use an iron to smooth any places that need it and pull it tighter where needed.

[jerryanderson]

I iron then stretch the cloth out good and set in place with duck tape. Have a piece of paper under to avoid a mess with adhesive & table! Spray frame down with Scotch 77 or (if you can find it) Bordens spray adhesive! Let set a minute then press down on cloth firmly. stays in place pretty good! I do cut the corners abit to allow for the corners of the frame. works ok for me

[tomzarbo]

I'm using the new PE premium black grill cloth http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=260-332 , frames will be 3/4" ply about 18"x24". Would you use hot glue, staples, both, or something else, and why? Any techniques/ tips appreciated. Thanks!

Are you planning on painting the frames black? If you don't they won't look as nice as you probably were hoping they would. I've forgotten this once and it bugged me until I changed it. Flat black, actually black auto primer works best. it soaks into wood easily and is dark and light absorbent. Avoid shiny blacks as they will 'reflect' under the material.

Here's a recent grill that I did for my wife's brothers speakers:
http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f257/TomZarbo/DCP_2217.jpg
I use hot glue, it's easy. Use a sheet of wax paper to press the grill down on the table after you've glued it (so you don't have to press it with your fingers--which really hurts!)
Sorry if you knew much of this information already, not trying to be a know-it-all, just want others to avoid the mistakes I've made! :)

TomZ

[PWR RYD]

I always use hot glue, but always end up with finger burns :eek::D

[LouC]

I use hot melt too. I Just put a band-aid on the pressing finger, and wrap some electrical tape around that.

[bmaupin]

I really like the way I did mine - method from Dave Brown.

http://techtalk.parts-express.com/showthread.php?t=202239

https://home.comcast.net/~bradmop/pl18dx25/finished_back.jpg

[arlis_1957@yahoo.com]

I really like the way I did mine - method from Dave Brown.

http://techtalk.parts-express.com/showthread.php?t=202239

https://home.comcast.net/~bradmop/pl18dx25/finished_back.jpg

ive yet to try that method but will. great idea.

[Red Spud]

Thanks for all the great suggestions. I had searched before and saw some of these ideas. I forgot about the screen framing, I wonder if it would be stiff enough for a frame this big (18"x24"), it sure would be simpler. I'll go check them out at home depot, I've done screen spline before and its easy.

I have the little neo magnets from PE to attach it with and plan to put them under the veneer.

Jerry that was really clever to tape the cloth out on a table, I'm hoping to stretch it good and even. I had thought of attaching one end of the cloth to one long side of the frame, and using a dowel attached to the other end of the cloth to pull it tight and straight across the other long side of the frame before attaching it, maybe that's overkill?

[PWR RYD]

I use hot melt too. I Just put a band-aid on the pressing finger, and wrap some electrical tape around that.

Why didn't I think of that?!?!?! :o

[LouC]

If you do those magnets, you'll probably need some kind of friction between the grill and the baffle--or some kind of locating pin(s) Cloth on slick finish never worked for me (at least not for big speakers) The grills would slide under their own weight.

[CJB67]

If you do those magnets, you'll probably need some kind of friction between the grill and the baffle--or some kind of locating pin(s) Cloth on slick finish never worked for me (at least not for big speakers) The grills would slide under their own weight.

Bigger magnets. Always go with bigger magnets.:)

[Jim Griffin]

Red Spud,

I use magnetic attached grills using screen door material (5/16" thick x 3/4" wide aluminum, plastic corner connectors, and spline material) from Lowe's or Home Depot, grill cloth from P-E, and magnets from Lee Valley to make grills for my speakers. See Post #4 above for similar materials. Magnets (usually 3/8" diameter x 1/8" thick) are flush mounted in the baffle and are attracted (polarity is important for the attraction) to 1/2" dia. magnets glued into the plastic corner pieces. The baffle mounted magnets can be hidden under veneer or laminate if you wish. The grill cloth is wraped around the frame and the spline rolled into the channel on the rear side of the frame. Excess cloth can be trimmed for a very professional look once you are happy with the fit. If not, you can remove the spline and reroll the cloth into the spline channel.

I've made grills for line array towers as large as 12" x 6 feet tall and for all matter of smaller speakers using this same technique. It takes planning to flush mount the baffle mounted magnets and alignment with the frame but the effort yields neat results.

[arlis_1957@yahoo.com]

magnets on both baffle and grills. they would not dare to slide.

[LouC]

No doubt there are those who've had better luck than me!:D

[tomzarbo]

I used the "search" feature and came up with this thread from about a year ago:

http://techtalk.parts-express.com/showthread.php?t=215426&highlight=grill+cloth+frame+build

...and...

http://techtalk.parts-express.com/showthread.php?t=208388&highlight=grill+cloth+frame+build

Here's more:
http://www.humanspeakers.com/howto/grill.htm


That should get you pointed in the right direction, for starters at least.

-Charlie

Oops, forgot I posted that first one.

[Altec Best]

Read this thread from LHF. You will get very consistent results this way Hot glue isn't the best or fastest.And my fingers feel fine. ;) Good Luck with your project ! May the cloth be with you ! :D

BTW: Saeman has some of the finest grill cloth in the land. It looks like original JBL Blue & Black, small diamond design ! The Black Looks smokin on my Altec 604G's/612C's ! :cool:

http://www.audioheritage.org/vbulletin/showthread.php?7941-Zilch-Cloth-Installation&highlight=zilch+grill+cloth+installation