Sunflower HT/Music LCR Build

[rvsixer]

Re: Sunflower HT/Music LCR Build

...the piece closest to the bit rides in a hole, and then the router swivels around it correct?

Correct. I can't really take credit for the idea, its basically how all the circle jigs out there work (though to make it work with the existing Triton jig, I did have to reverse the pivot point in relation to the set point).

I was actually amazed how accurate the cuts could be made (I have machining background from eons ago, but am new to wood working of any detail). Measure diameter of cutting bit, measure diameter of pivot pin and divide by two, subtract this sum from required radius, set and lock calipers to this value to adjust jig, and then cut. Easy and repeatable cuts within a few thousandths.

[WernerM]

Re: Sunflower HT/Music LCR Build

ROUTER CIRCLE JIG:

My Triton router came with a multipurpose jig, which included a rather "cheapish" circle attachment (basically a piece of plastic with a couple of holes, which you stick a nail through as the pivot point). Worked will enough for my previous large woofer'ed OB builds, but the 5 1/2" minimum diameter would not do for the XT tweeters and RS125's.

Jasper Jig does not fit the Triton, the Router Buddy does, but I was convinced I could make a jig and save some $$$. I had some scrap 1" x 1/8" aluminum bar, so off to the local True Value store with their wonderful hardware section consisting of quite odd odd's-n'ends. I came up with the pictured jig (infinitely adjustable within its range), which should allow holes of less than 1" diameter with a 1/4" bit.

The plan is to try it out tomorrow, we will see how it goes...

Took me a min, but I see what you did there, the piece closest to the bit rides in a hole, and then the router swivels around it correct? Nice job figuring that trick out. Very useful idea.

[rvsixer]

Re: Sunflower HT/Music LCR Build

HOLE CUTTING:

A full day in the garage today. The diy circle guide worked great!
All 24 holes cut with recesses, all midrange and woofer rear exits beveled.

Next up driver mount holes, then gluing up

[rvsixer]

Re: Sunflower HT/Music LCR Build

Glad to see you're getting started. Looking good so far! Looking forward to seeing the finished product, and your listening impressions of that CC.

Thanks. Will keep updating, I am betting the center will sound great.

Got any more RS125's, or any not-priced-higher-than-new XT25's LOL :p:o....

[rvsixer]

Re: Sunflower HT/Music LCR Build

ROUTER CIRCLE JIG:

My Triton router came with a multipurpose jig, which included a rather "cheapish" circle attachment (basically a piece of plastic with a couple of holes, which you stick a nail through as the pivot point). Worked will enough for my previous large woofer'ed OB builds, but the 5 1/2" minimum diameter would not do for the XT tweeters and RS125's.

Jasper Jig does not fit the Triton, the Router Buddy does, but I was convinced I could make a jig and save some $$$. I had some scrap 1" x 1/8" aluminum bar, so off to the local True Value store with their wonderful hardware section consisting of quite odd odd's-n'ends. I came up with the pictured jig (infinitely adjustable within its range), which should allow holes of less than 1" diameter with a 1/4" bit.

The plan is to try it out tomorrow, we will see how it goes...

[rvsixer]

Re: Sunflower HT/Music LCR Build

TOOL FIND:

So I started looking for a drill press, knowing I wanted straight holes throughout the Sunflowers (and I was going to try to design/fabricate a circle jig for my router). Well, the presses with a 6" throat depth (to handle the 11" wide baffles) were big on dollars, and big on space (space is at a premium in my 2-car garage, which has a mid-size car and a full-size truck in it as well).

An internet search led me to Big Gator Tools. They make a line of drill and tap jigs (including heli-coil insert models), that you can take to your work and be assured straight accurate holes and threads (pics attached). Best price was from their ebay store (because of the cheap shipping charges in comparison to other vendors).

Now that I have used these tools I am wondering where have these been all my life ??? Parts Express might want to seriously consider carrying these, I can see them being useful for any audio build project. They are v-shaped on the bottom so use on round stock is also fine. Now if they could only work for perpendicular holes in a sphere, that would help on an upcoming spherical-mount telescope build......

[DIYNut42]

Re: Sunflower HT/Music LCR Build

Glad to see you're getting started. Looking good so far! Looking forward to seeing the finished product, and your listening impressions of that CC.

[rvsixer]

Re: Sunflower HT/Music LCR Build

Looks great! Is there going to be a matching MT Surround speaker?

Thanks! I don't listen to any surround music (yet), so I am just going with my old Mirage FX surrounds for now. If they don't match well enough there's a RJB Microbe MT & MTM variation out there using the same tweet/mid as the Sunflowers.

[lostboy77]

Re: Sunflower HT/Music LCR Build

Looks great! Is there going to be a matching MT Surround speaker?

[rvsixer]

Finally some Sunflower love, the build has started, all designs from (and a big thank you to) Paul C.

Sunflower Redux LR (https://sites.google.com/site/undefi...diy-sunflowers):
Basically the stock "open source" design, with the MTM section raised 1" so the tweeter matches my seated ear height. Driven by classdaudio DIY amp kit, run full range.

Sunflower CC (background info at http://techtalk.parts-express.com/sh...d.php?t=229759 and http://techtalk.parts-express.com/sh...d.php?t=229425):
Run directly off receiver, cutoff at 80~100 Hz to subs.

"Skinny" Turtle subs (modified, http://techtalk.parts-express.com/sh...d.php?t=221133):
My own unendorsed mod, front baffle shares the same width as the mains, the rest resized to maintain volume and fit into my entertainment stand.

General build/setup notes:
Build material all around is 18mm Russian Birch Ply. I was originally going to go with MDF for cost savings, but after finding the birch at a local source for only $0.70/sqft cost difference the decision was easy (let's see, MDF and the additional paint/veneer vs birch ply cut/coat/done :rolleyes. This is my first experience with quality birch ply, and so far I find it SO much nicer to work with than MDF. I matched as many of the mains/sub dimensions as possible to minimize cut width counts.

There will be two subs. One directly under the center channel, the other directly behind and centered on the listening position, each driven through miniDSP and an old 100wrms Marantz amp. When the left/right channels are run full range, my HT receiver allows feeding 25% of their bass below 60Hz to the sub out. I am banking the two RS-225's and the two RSS210's (using the miniDSP highpass filters) can handle any movie bass thrown at them in my small condo HT (my average listening level is fairly low definitely NOT cranked), and four transducers always in concurrent operation for both HT & music bass duties will nail most modal issues.

I intend to update the thread as I go along, please fire away with comments questions concerns !!!