Tolex around a sharp edge

[dcibel]

Hi all,
Thought I'd post this here since Tolex is used more often in the PA industry. Does anyone have experience using Tolex on a baffle with flush mounted drivers? The stuff is fairly thick and stiff, I am wondering about how well it will stay down when I push it around a sharp 90 degree edge. It seems to have a tendency to spring back, and all the installations of this stuff that I've seen are on rounded over corners on guitar and amp cabs. Any advice/secrets/tips are helpful, I'll be taking this on very shortly after I build a jig to bore out a couple driver holes that ended up just a hair too small.

[billfitzmaurice]

Re: Tolex around a sharp edge

On a sharp edge you need to use a contact cement so that the bond will be instant.

[dcibel]

Re: Tolex around a sharp edge

Thanks Bill!

I tested with a small piece and Super 77, it held but I wasn't confident that the edge wouldn't bulge up over time. I'll hit the areas where the speakers mount with contact cement, and pray adhesive for the rest.

[billfitzmaurice]

Re: Tolex around a sharp edge

Thanks Bill!

I tested with a small piece and Super 77, it held but I wasn't confident that the edge wouldn't bulge up over time. I'll hit the areas where the speakers mount with contact cement, and pray adhesive for the rest.

You can use Super 77 as a contact adhesive, just cover both surfaces and let it set ten to fifteen minutes before bonding.

[audioguy]

Re: Tolex around a sharp edge

You can use Super 77 as a contact adhesive, just cover both surfaces and let it set ten to fifteen minutes before bonding.

+1

The bond is many times greater doing it that way. It isn't intuitive, but do it exactly as Bill said and it'll work well.
If these are MDF cabs, something else to consider is the MDF flaking off underneath if hit on a stress point.
(like those 90 degree corners) In that case you're left with a mess, but MDF cabs are a problem in rough use
applications for several reasons.

DAP brush-on contact cement (large can, not the brush-in-bottle stuff) is also a good product, and sometimes
easier to deal with than sprays. Same rules apply - put it on both surfaces and let it flash off before stretching
the wrap onto the cab.

My .02,
--jim

[dcibel]

Re: Tolex around a sharp edge

I'll give it a shot, hopefully this weekend if I can get my sh** together.

The sharp 90 degree edge is my driver cutout to flush mount the drivers. My intent is to roll the Tolex over the edge and tuck it under the driver. The cabinet corners have a 1/2" roundover. I'm not worried about the MDF, this is not a rough use application, not even pro audio to be honest. I'm using the "carbon fibre" Tolex available at PE to finish some cabs for home use. I'll post them up in the project gallery when they're complete.