ONS-MTM Tower/Center Build

[MrkCrwly]

I am currently building Paul Carmody's Overnight Sensations MTM in tower format for L and R and extra small for a horizontal center channel. These speakers will be for my Daughter and her Fiance. For the final look they wanted all black with speaker grilles. I decided to stick with heavy flake white oak veneer and try a vinegar and steel wool stain.
The cabinets are 6" x 6" square with applied baffles inspired by WWWJD.
Here is the link Paul's and WWWJD's great interpretation of the design.

http://sites.google.com/site/undefinition/overnightsensationmtm

[MrkCrwly]

Re: ONS-MTM Tower/Center Build

The left and right speakers are made of 3/4" MDF, Titebond II and biscuits. No metal fasteners.

[MrkCrwly]

Re: ONS-MTM Tower/Center Build

Center channel is constructed of 1/2" MDF to maximize the interior volume.


Progress on the L and R.

[MrkCrwly]

Re: ONS-MTM Tower/Center Build

Baffles are constructed of 1/2" MDF.

Bases are constructed of 1/2" MDF sides and 2 layers 1/2" BB base.

Progress on center channel. End grain coated with glue slurry and everything coated with unwaxed shellac sanding sealer.

[MrkCrwly]

Re: ONS-MTM Tower/Center Build

L & R with sanding sealer.

Center channel baffle.

Baffles routed for speakers.

[[email protected]]

Re: ONS-MTM Tower/Center Build

you do good work. i the the lovely couple will love them. cant wait to see them finished.

[mtbboyz]

Re: ONS-MTM Tower/Center Build

Very nice work! Cant wait to see the finished product

[MrkCrwly]

Re: ONS-MTM Tower/Center Build

Thank guys.

2-3 week old steel wool pad and white vinegar mix. Pad was completely gone.

One cabinet painted with the magic liquid.

One swipe of mix with a brush and it starts to darken immediately.

Unfortunately after it had dried it was not as uniform as I had hoped, nor was it as dark as my daughter wanted, so I put on a coat of Minwax Onyx oil based stain.

[Mark65]

Re: ONS-MTM Tower/Center Build

Wow!

Awesome finish! I really admire your work!


Mark

[MrkCrwly]

Re: ONS-MTM Tower/Center Build

Wow!

Awesome finish! I really admire your work!


Mark

Unfortunately that is not the final finish. Those are pics right after I put on the vinegar/steel solution. The shiny pics means it is still wet. It had light streaks in the veneer that required me to put an oil based stain on it. (pics on that later). The vinegar solution also left a few areas brownish and looked a little odd with the pure blacks of other areas.
I would not recommend doing a black stained finish since it obscures the grain and exagerates every little imperfection. With a typical stained med oak finish a difference in coloration is not noticable. With all black finish even a difference in a reflection jumps out and looks like a flaw. Very unforgiving. I ended up using satin poly to help mask the differences.
This is not to say that the black looks bad. it just that I purchased flakey oak veneer and it is a shame not to see that beautiful grain in all it glory. Heck there are a boatload and 1/2 of black speakers purchased every day.

[Paul Carmody]

Re: ONS-MTM Tower/Center Build

That's a shame about the finish. It would have been neat to see a "homebrew" finish really knock it out of the park... but then to have it come out uneven :(

Currently, I'm a big fan of TransTint dyes because they look good even with a klutz like me.

[MrkCrwly]

Re: ONS-MTM Tower/Center Build

I think the "home brew" would work really well on solid oak. I don't think the thin veneer offers enough material to ensure a uniform reaction.
I am going to get some Transtint in red. I have a itch to build something with a bold red accent.

[fastbike1]

Re: ONS-MTM Tower/Center Build

Maple really likes a dye colorant. Curly, fiddleback, or tiger maple with red transtint in a neutral oil/ shellac might be satisfying ;)

I think the "home brew" would work really well on solid oak. I don't think the thin veneer offers enough material to ensure a uniform reaction.
I am going to get some Transtint in red. I have a itch to build something with a bold red accent.

[MrkCrwly]

Re: ONS-MTM Tower/Center Build

I applied Minwax Ebony stain to even out the variations left by the vinegar mix. Mostly black with a hint of dark brown.

Veneer after a few coats of wipe on poly.

After the baffle was glued and clamped to the cabinet I needed to touch up the paint.

[RINNAV]

Re: ONS-MTM Tower/Center Build

Looking Great! I can't wait to see how your CC comes out--It may be my next project...

Jason