Project #3: (Insert Name Here)

[tomzarbo]

Tom is that Bubinga Burl veneer.

That's what I was thinking. I'm not well versed in veneers... they say it is 'Rotary Cut, Rolling Figure.' The seams are even pretty mild visual-wise, I was worried about that. VeneerSupplies usually does pretty good, though.

This is the stuff: http://www.veneersupplies.com/produc...ure-4-x-8.html

Most of the speakers I've ever built cost WAY less in total than just the veneer going on these! Hope I'm up to it.

TomZ

[Squidspeak]

Of note for Wenge (wen-gay)- I've read its dust can be a big irritant, both on skin and in lungs.

Tommy- what tweeter? Edit- Nevermind, I found you did mention it.

Later,
Wolf

Wenge also is very splinter prone and they fester quickly in your finger. Beautiful when finished.

[Kornbread]

That's what I was thinking. I'm not well versed in veneers... they say it is 'Rotary Cut, Rolling Figure.' The seams are even pretty mild visual-wise, I was worried about that. VeneerSupplies usually does pretty good, though.

This is the stuff: http://www.veneersupplies.com/produc...ure-4-x-8.html

Most of the speakers I've ever built cost WAY less in total than just the veneer going on these! Hope I'm up to it.

TomZ

Wow! That's going to be beautiful when finished, but I had no idea how expensive some veneers were, @ $200 for a 4x8 sheet. Yep, for that kind of coin, I'd want to be sure the seems didn't show.

[tomzarbo]

Wow! That's going to be beautiful when finished, but I had no idea how expensive some veneers were, @ $200 for a 4x8 sheet. Yep, for that kind of coin, I'd want to be sure the seems didn't show.

I did a veneer layout on my computer and I could have just fit all the pieces on a 4' X 10' sheet but they didn't sell this veneer in that size. It's okay, I'll have some extra to play with on other projects. I was gifted some other paper-backed Bubinga previously as well from a kind forum member, so I'll have a bit to do some smaller projects with in the future.

I agree with you Kornbread, I think this veneer is just amazing looking. I think shined up real good, it should be pretty spiffy! I don't really ever spend this kind of money on veneers, it's a splurge for me for sure. Some of those species were over $400 a sheet! I've seen even higher than that for some of the crazy fancy stuff. I've also seen some guys that can really do magic with veneers, though.

TomZ

[kenny_k]

Will these be at Iowa?
Maybe NY-DIY?

[skatz]

Tom

If you still lack a name, consider "EsoZ"

[Kevin K.]

Love the Bubinga Tom. Are you considering a dye or will it be staying natural?

As for a name, how bout "The Esoteries", which is the plural form for Esotery which links back to Esoteric.

https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/esotery

[tomzarbo]

Will these be at Iowa?
Maybe NY-DIY?

Besides MWAF, maybe DIY NY if it exists this year and these fit what the theme is.

Tom

If you still lack a name, consider "EsoZ"

Not bad! Better than I could think of!

Love the Bubinga Tom. Are you considering a dye or will it be staying natural?

As for a name, how bout "The Esoteries", which is the plural form for Esotery which links back to Esoteric.

https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/esotery

I'll do a test on a piece, but I'm wanting to richen it up a bit but not really darken it if you know what I mean. I don't want to loose any of the contrast -- there isn't much as it is.

I like that name! 'The Esoteries' sounds a lot better than 'The ES-3's,' which sounds like a car Cadillac would build.

TomZ

[Kevin K.]

Use the name, it has a rich sound to it, very fitting for what you have spent on these already.

Was just curious what you had in mind for finish. The Bubinga is beautiful in it's natural state. I remembered seeing this subwoofer on Joe's website. The guy used pure tung oil and top coated it with oil based polyurethane. I don't have a lot of experience yet but was pleasantly surprised at how the BLO brought out the contrast in the Sapele on my Arrays. Not sure which oil would be better but that might be something to play around with if you want to enhance the contrast. Good luck man!

[Millstonemike]

My two sense: "The Delphics". Delphic is mystical, obscure, enigmatic (like the Bumbigna's visual appeal) and Delphi refers to the oracle (accuracy, in this case sound).

But that name sounds blah. So maybe "The Delphonics" or "The Deltones", which happens to be the name of a currently produced tube guitar amp similar to Fender, Marshal, etc. But you can use that name for own personal speakers, guaranteed

[r-carpenter]

Besides MWAF, maybe DIY NY if it exists this year and these fit what the theme is.

TomZ

Thinking sometime in September.
No theme, it's not Iron Driver, just a NY-DIY.

[jhollander]

+1 I'd definitely test both tung oil and BLO. I'd have to read up on the pure tung oil to see if there are any drying issues.

[tomzarbo]

Thanks for the ideas and suggestions, guys.
I think it depends on how fast I get things done from here as to what finish I use. Hopefully I can put the petal to the metal and get moving quickly. I think I'm going to be applying veneer by the weekend I hope. Then I'll find some scraps to play with, maybe order some BLO and have a try at that to test it. I know different woods have different oil contents and react with finished differently. The bubinga doesn't seem to be very oily at all, though.

Thanks for the info Roman. I've only been to one of your DIY events so I wasn't sure what you had planned. I'm a teacher that just said 'goodbye' to my students yesterday, so I'm not too happy about thinking about 'September' if you know what I mean... I plan on being there if circumstances permit. I had a blast last year, real unique setup... smelling the best coffee I've ever tasted and being around all those woodworking tools was cool enough, listening to amazing sounding speakers on top of that is the icing on the cake!

TomZ

[r-carpenter]

Thanks, Tom!
At some point I'll start 2017 NY DIY thread and we'll see what works for everyone.
I am flexible as to then it takes place.

[dcibel]

FWIW I've always gone with Tung Oil over BLO as I've read that BLO turns yellow with age, while Tung Oil will hold its colour over time. I've had great success with Circa1850 Tung Oil which isn't 100% pure variety, it has something else in it to keep drying time between coats down to 24hrs.