"Panhead" build thread

[davepellegrene]

I decided to build another speaker motor using different drivers and a little different design. I will be using the RS180-8, RS100-8 and the ND20FA. The RS180 will be in a 16L vented cabinet tuned to 46Hz with two ports 1.5 x 6.84.
The RS100 will be in a sealed box of 6L.

Got a chance to start the boxes this weekend.

Here is my Flintstones type drawing. Full size done on 3/4" MDF with a carpenters pencil.



Lining the base panels on duct tape to glue up.



Ready for glue



Glued up. Couldn't find a ratchet strap so used a rope.



Pieces ready for glue up



Glued up



RS100 inset into the baffle 3/8" to align with tweeter.



RS180 inset 1/4" to align with mid and tweeter.



That's it so far.
Dave

[dlneubec]

Cool looking project, Dave!

[tomzarbo]

Looks good!
i like the idea of using duct tape to help with aligning the pieces, innovative -- another use for duct tape.

Who are these for?

TomZ

[davepellegrene]

Who are these for?

TomZ

I have someone interested in buying them. I just wanted to build another set since I was rushed on the first set and really didn't get to spend the time I wanted tweaking. These will be a little bigger so they will play a little lower.

Dave

[jeff_free69]

Sweet !

Your "Knucklehead" build was worthy of the PE catalog cover.

[PassingInterest]

You've got the coolest looking builds, Dave.
I can't wait til you rev these babies up!

[rogoll]

I have someone interested in buying them. I just wanted to build another set since I was rushed on the first set and really didn't get to spend the time I wanted tweaking. These will be a little bigger so they will play a little lower.

Dave

I would think that a lot of bikers and muscle car enthusists would want a pair. With your skills, you just might be able to make a go at custom speakers (a dream that most of us share). Especially with the contacts you already have from your carpentry work!

[theLinks]

Sweet !

Your "Knucklehead" build was worthy of the PE catalog cover.

I'll second that! I bet you could sell a few of these with a little help. Think about all of the hog clubs, with rich dudes in it. I would get my buddy to post it in the local club when you're ready. They could buy one and auction it off for charity also. Are you ready to take orders yet?
Tim

[davepellegrene]

I have been thinking seriously about marketing these. From what I have been told as long as I don't put the "Harley" name on them I would be ok. I had thought maybe advertising in a magazine like Easy Rider would be a good place to start. I'm just not sure I could make any money at it. I would think I would have to build quite a few at a time to make it efficient enough to make them affordable. Then I have the problem of once they are all built I would need enough room to paint and put the electronics in them. Now it becomes a business and I have a bottom line, nit picky customers to deal with, damaged shipments, dead lines and my shop tide up all the time. Wow! it's no longer fun.
I have always wanted to work my way out of the remodeling business and into building things in my shop to sell. Maybe set up a web site.
I do have one of the top crossover guys from our forum that is willing to work up an XO for me, so they really will be top notch. Just another piece to the puzzle as he would need to be compensated if I plan to make money on this design.


It's a lot to think about.

Dave

[mzisserson]

I have been thinking seriously about marketing these. From what I have been told as long as I don't put the "Harley" name on them I would be ok. I had thought maybe advertising in a magazine like Easy Rider would be a good place to start. I'm just not sure I could make any money at it. I would think I would have to build quite a few at a time to make it efficient enough to make them affordable. Then I have the problem of once they are all built I would need enough room to paint and put the electronics in them. Now it becomes a business and I have a bottom line, nit picky customers to deal with, damaged shipments, dead lines and my shop tide up all the time. Wow! it's no longer fun.
I have always wanted to work my way out of the remodeling business and into building things in my shop to sell. Maybe set up a web site.
I do have one of the top crossover guys from our forum that is willing to work up an XO for me, so they really will be top notch. Just another piece to the puzzle as he would need to be compensated if I plan to make money on this design.


It's a lot to think about.

Dave

I am glad you are realistic. It is an extreme amount of work. If you keep it small and manageable, it may not be too bad. We all know what Harly guys will pay for something that resembles anything on their bikes. You may be able to market them at a high enough price to make a decent profit. Compensating a x-over guru and all, knowing that even at $2k/pr (pulled that # out of the sky), they should perform at least as such, if not more!!!

Whatever you do, just do not lose the fun part... Take your time and enjoy "the ride".

[davepellegrene]

I am glad you are realistic. It is an extreme amount of work. If you keep it small and manageable, it may not be too bad. We all know what Harly guys will pay for something that resembles anything on their bikes. You may be able to market them at a high enough price to make a decent profit. Compensating a x-over guru and all, knowing that even at $2k/pr (pulled that # out of the sky), they should perform at least as such, if not more!!!

Whatever you do, just do not lose the fun part... Take your time and enjoy "the ride".

That's a pretty good guess. I was thinking the same figure, off the top of my head, would be the most someone would be willing to pay. Now to make money at that price not so sure it would be worth the effort. I'm keeping track of the time in this build, mainly cabinets, just to see what time I do get in a set. Seems much more fun to just share the build here and maybe make a couple bucks and make someone happy with a unique set of speakers.
Good advice on keeping it fun.

Dave

[rogoll]

That's a pretty good guess. I was thinking the same figure, off the top of my head, would be the most someone would be willing to pay. Now to make money at that price not so sure it would be worth the effort. I'm keeping track of the time in this build, mainly cabinets, just to see what time I do get in a set. Seems much more fun to just share the build here and maybe make a couple bucks and make someone happy with a unique set of speakers.
Good advice on keeping it fun.

Dave

You could do some "test marketing" at a few motocycle and custom autoparts stores to get a sense of interest.

[Paul Carmody]

I have been thinking seriously about marketing these. From what I have been told as long as I don't put the "Harley" name on them I would be ok. I had thought maybe advertising in a magazine like Easy Rider would be a good place to start. I'm just not sure I could make any money at it. I would think I would have to build quite a few at a time to make it efficient enough to make them affordable. Then I have the problem of once they are all built I would need enough room to paint and put the electronics in them. Now it becomes a business and I have a bottom line, nit picky customers to deal with, damaged shipments, dead lines and my shop tide up all the time. Wow! it's no longer fun.

I agree. Once there's accounting involved, you've sucked most of the fun out of it.

Still, I always enjoy watching your builds, Dave

[lunchmoney]

Love the duct tape trick. Brilliant!

[marscoast]

Most of those V-twin guys are deaf anyway - not only from the sound of their engines, but from years of riding without a helmet/earplugs. SQ could probably ride pillion.

No, seriously - very cool and unique design... makes me want to go out to the garage, sit on my bike and make motorcycle noises while imagining spring. This winter's been too long...

[AMC]

Interesting work Dave. One suggestion, if you are going to continue to make octagonal boxes, I would invest in a birds mouth bit. Makes it much easier, and increases surface area for gluing, result - stronger joint.

http://www.infinitytools.com/Birds-M...products/1297/

[tron]

Very cool build! I will be following this thread for sure.

Let me know if you need the heads ported and oversized valves installed. I may have a few sets of cams to choose from too!!! lol

todd

[jeff_free69]

I have been thinking seriously about marketing these. .

Dave

Obviously a very labor intensive build, but it'd be a surefire winner marketable to all sorts of motorheads and shops.

...Don't forget the Hemi V-8 Subwoofer!

[davepellegrene]

...Don't forget the V-8 Subwoofer!

Funny you should mention that. I just ordered a 240W plate amp for my brother in law, owner of the Knuckle Heads. I'm going to build a sub that is shaped like the Screaming Eagle air cleaner. Probably going to do a three inch thick baffle the shape of the air cleaner with a square box behind it.




In my spare time of course.
Dave

[J_Shea]

There are lots of cool speaker designs, and even more cool DIY speaker designs. DIY is always cooler. It just is.
But these set a whole new benchmark. They are so bitchin that it isn't even academically interesting how they measure.
I'm almost afraid to see how the V-8 subwoofer turns out.