Next Project: Arc 40 CBT Array

[Kevin K.]

Yeah, I'm sort of giving up on spade terminals for speakers. First, there is the problem of getting a solid crimp on the wire, then
I have to fiddle around with getting a good connection on the speaker terminals, which sometimes is a real problem.

I'm trying barrel terminals these days between the driver and crossover, with a solder-on "tail" on the driver. The barrels are made for each other, so I just need to worry about a good crimp to the wire and I"m good to go.

BTW, that Outlaw 5 channel is awesome!

I really prefer to solder wires to the drivers also Don, it's pretty much bullet proof that way. In this case, that would have been a lot of soldering in close proximity to the Karelian Birch and it just didn't seem like a good idea, especially with my luck. The crimp on terminals I sourced fit the speaker terminals great so it was just a matter of getting a good crimp on the wires after that. Thanks for the kudo's on the Outlaw, looking forward to firing it up and seeing what it's capable of.

[Navy Guy]

These aren't going to be ported, are they? If not, I'd also recommend some denim insulation in the cab as well to help further reduce the back wave/standing waves.

[donradick]

Not sure what was causing it but I could pull on the terminals on some and they were fine and then pull on others and they were loose. All of the wire came from PE and it was all 16 gauge, but it was from a couple of different manufacturers. Maybe my crimpers are just worn out, they were used a long time ago in a business.

Yeah, I'm sort of giving up on spade terminals for speakers. First, there is the problem of getting a solid crimp on the wire, then
I have to fiddle around with getting a good connection on the speaker terminals, which sometimes is a real problem.

I'm trying barrel terminals these days between the driver and crossover, with a solder-on "tail" on the driver. The barrels are made for each other, so I just need to worry about a good crimp to the wire and I"m good to go.

BTW, that Outlaw 5 channel is awesome!

[Kevin K.]

Pretty amazing of course. Several times I thought about requesting a video of that machine.

What's the prob with the ratcheting crimper?

Not sure what was causing it but I could pull on the terminals on some and they were fine and then pull on others and they were loose. All of the wire came from PE and it was all 16 gauge, but it was from a couple of different manufacturers. Maybe my crimpers are just worn out, they were used a long time ago in a business.

[donradick]

Pretty amazing of course. Several times I thought about requesting a video of that machine.

What's the prob with the ratcheting crimper?

[Kevin K.]

I didn't get a chance yesterday to update the progress on the Arrays from this last weekend. Before I get to that, here is picture I somehow left out last week. It was the baffle being glued to the enclosure and I think the title "Got Clamps" would be appropriate.




Didn't get as much done as I would have liked this weekend, under estimated the amount of damping material I would need and this stopped progress on the second cabinet. Only had enough damping to finish the front sidewalls on one cabinet. Ordered more today and will have to wait until later in the week before I can do the other.

Here are the left front panels for both cabinets. Cut the lefts together out of one sheet and then cut the rights out of another, less scrap that way.



And here is a video of the machine cutting the panels. Thought some of you might like to see her in action, it's pretty cool. I'm only using 4 out of the 5 axis's available in these cuts. She is really something to see when using all 5 axis's. Hope this link works.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/fjq2eov8zxwl8ac/5-Axis%20Doing%20Her%20Thing.mp4?dl=0

Hand room was going to be an issue for installing the damping on these panels, so it was installed prior to gluing the panels to the enclosure.



Here is the first cabinet with left and right front panels attached. Also crimped all of the terminals. Abandoned the ratcheting crimpers, and went back to the good ole squeeze crimpers. Serious hand cramps by the end but that's probably more related to my age than the number of terminals.



That's it for this week fellas, thanks for looking.

[Kevin K.]

Got a NEW PLAY TOY and gotta share it with you. I'm the proud new owner of a 5-channel Outlaw Amp. Rated at 120 watts into 8ohm or 180 watts into 4ohm. This thing feels like it's gonna be a BEAST!! Put it on scale, 56 lbs, no exaggeration! Couldn't help myself, had to open it and see what it had inside. I'm no amp guru, but it looks to be very well built. Cant wait to fire it up! For now, I will be using an old Onkyo Receiver as the pre-amp. The HDMI video went out on it but otherwise it still works fine. Will upgrade and order the Outlaw Pre-Amp when I order the next Outlaw Amp to complete a 5.1 or 7.1 system down the road.

[Kevin K.]

You will be dragging these to MWAF.... that's great - i need to make it there.... that's the only one in the midwest i haven't attended yet

Yep, my son and I will be driving up next year. We'll have these in tote and hopefully a couple of other projects as well. Not sure how MWAF compares to some of the other events, it's the only one I've attended so far. Been twice and had a blast both times. Lots of fantastic builds to look and listen to and lots of great guys to hang out with. Hope to see you there!

[ani_101]

You will be dragging these to MWAF.... that's great - i need to make it there.... that's the only one in the midwest i haven't attended yet

[Kevin K.]

Looking great Kevin!

Thank you sir! Looking forward to your impression of these next year at MWAF. Wish it could be sooner, but not likely unless your planning a vacation to the Lone Star state.

[Navy Guy]

Looking great Kevin!

[Kevin K.]

Great build progress Kevin. One question, did you veneer the baffle and then CNC or applied veneer later after cutting. If later what/how did you flush trip the veneer to the driver cut outs?

Thanks Ani. I cold pressed the veneer to the mdf prior to cutting the driver cut outs. Used a 3/8" Onsrud Down-Cut Super "O" Flute cutter, part number 64-033. This is a great all around cutter for the CNC and it cut the veneer very clean. Here is a link if you're interested. http://www.cncrouterbitsxp.com/tools...s-614p2470.htm

They also carry the 64-031 which is the same cutter with a little shorter CEL. It's $13 bucks cheaper.

[ani_101]

Great build progress Kevin. One question, did you veneer the baffle and then CNC or applied veneer later after cutting. If later what/how did you flush trip the veneer to the driver cut outs?

[Kevin K.]

Kevin, fantastic work!
Am I seeing your wiring harness correctly? Do you have them installed and the baffles glued on without having terminated each of the wire ends with the crimp-on terminals you showed earlier?

It would have seemed easier to have handled that extensive hand labor before installing. Hopefully, I am mistaken or you have a plan ;-)
Either way, it is doable, just a bit more awkward.

Keep up the exceptional work. This is a build for the ages.
Andy.

Thanks for the kind words Andy. Good catch, you have an eye for the details. Yea, I screwed up and left the terminals at the house (25 miles away) Sunday and decided to move forward with attaching the baffle. It's not as bad as it might look. I can get to the wires to strip and crimp from the front or sides. I'm using a set of the automatic wire strippers from PE and a set of ratcheting crimpers I've had for a while. Plenty of room for both.






Take care,
Kevin

[andykriech]

Kevin, fantastic work!
Am I seeing your wiring harness correctly? Do you have them installed and the baffles glued on without having terminated each of the wire ends with the crimp-on terminals you showed earlier?

It would have seemed easier to have handled that extensive hand labor before installing. Hopefully, I am mistaken or you have a plan ;-)
Either way, it is doable, just a bit more awkward.

Keep up the exceptional work. This is a build for the ages.
Andy.