I don’t get much built lately between doctor appointments, physical therapy and etc. In general, Winter is a b!tch when you have a screwed up spine.
That doesn’t seem to prevent me from spending entirely too much time perusing various audio websites and impulse buying random things I fancy.
I came across a pair of FE127e Fonken floor standers on the US Audio Mart near me.
They looked pretty darn nice in the listing. So I decided to take a ride.
They didn’t look as good when I arrived to the meet up.
There were scuffs and scratches that weren’t in the pics. Unfortunately, one was right on the front of one speaker. The veneer grain is raised in certain areas. I’m not sure if it’s due to heat or sun exposure. There was also no way to do a sound test.
Having driven a reasonable distance I didn’t want to go home empty handed. I figured they were decent enough to give them a try. I negotiated the price down considerably and I brought them home.
Luckily, the speakers play and sound pretty good.
I’ve temporarily set them up in the dining area for listening while we eat until I find a permanent home for them (possibly the den).
In the process of testing them I noticed that one of the plastic trim rings covering the edge of the speaker cone surround is partially delaminated.
I’m trying to figure out the best adhesive to reattach it without accidentally getting it all over the cone or other parts of the driver.
I’ve got some of the standard speaker surround adhesive used for cloth and foam surrounds as well as some two part epoxy, super glue etc.
Any feedback from those experienced with this problem and these speakers (@planet10) is appreciated.
Also, if you have any input about how to successfully touch up the scuff on the front of the one speaker without having to sand it down and refinish the whole speaker I’m all ears.
Some pics for review…
That doesn’t seem to prevent me from spending entirely too much time perusing various audio websites and impulse buying random things I fancy.
I came across a pair of FE127e Fonken floor standers on the US Audio Mart near me.
They looked pretty darn nice in the listing. So I decided to take a ride.
They didn’t look as good when I arrived to the meet up.
There were scuffs and scratches that weren’t in the pics. Unfortunately, one was right on the front of one speaker. The veneer grain is raised in certain areas. I’m not sure if it’s due to heat or sun exposure. There was also no way to do a sound test.
Having driven a reasonable distance I didn’t want to go home empty handed. I figured they were decent enough to give them a try. I negotiated the price down considerably and I brought them home.
Luckily, the speakers play and sound pretty good.
I’ve temporarily set them up in the dining area for listening while we eat until I find a permanent home for them (possibly the den).
In the process of testing them I noticed that one of the plastic trim rings covering the edge of the speaker cone surround is partially delaminated.
I’m trying to figure out the best adhesive to reattach it without accidentally getting it all over the cone or other parts of the driver.
I’ve got some of the standard speaker surround adhesive used for cloth and foam surrounds as well as some two part epoxy, super glue etc.
Any feedback from those experienced with this problem and these speakers (@planet10) is appreciated.
Also, if you have any input about how to successfully touch up the scuff on the front of the one speaker without having to sand it down and refinish the whole speaker I’m all ears.
Some pics for review…
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Couple a dabs of crazy glue should do it.
Assuming @chrisb built these, the veneer is probably paper backed and very thin. You might end up sanding right thru it.
jeff
Those are old. Made here by Chris, pre-EnABL so they are something like 20 years old. Dammn good shape for that old.
Veneer is attached using the white glue method. I have often seen bubbles, Chris can explain where theycome from and how to attempt to fix them — sometimes he woukd rip off the olod and appy new.
The blemish doesn’t look like it reaches thru the veneer so you should be able to make it much less noticeable.
The badges are rare.
The FE127s could benefit from the 2-way ZIG surround tweak.
dave
Veneer is attached using the white glue method. I have often seen bubbles, Chris can explain where theycome from and how to attempt to fix them — sometimes he woukd rip off the olod and appy new.
The blemish doesn’t look like it reaches thru the veneer so you should be able to make it much less noticeable.
The badges are rare.
The FE127s could benefit from the 2-way ZIG surround tweak.
dave
Yup. Very light scratches might be recoverable with some light sanding out with fine plastic scouring pads, not sand paper - unless you’re really confident in your sanding.* Touch up with an aerosol pre-catalyzed nitrocellulose lacquer, such as Mohawk M102-0410- these were almost certainly a “satin” finish in approx 40dg sheen. I’d advise against poly finish over lacquer.
Of course the other issue is oxidation of the cheery veneer and darkening of the clear top coat over time, so even successful touch ups of the affected areas might stand out, and a complete refinish might be in order.
* a cabinet scraper could work as well, with the same caveat.
Goodness, those bring back memories - must be at least 15 years old?
Dave beat me to it, but yeah, those have been around.
Actually, would have been yellow wood glue iron-on method.
Of course the other issue is oxidation of the cheery veneer and darkening of the clear top coat over time, so even successful touch ups of the affected areas might stand out, and a complete refinish might be in order.
* a cabinet scraper could work as well, with the same caveat.
Goodness, those bring back memories - must be at least 15 years old?
Dave beat me to it, but yeah, those have been around.
Actually, would have been yellow wood glue iron-on method.
Thanks for the replies.
I’ll have to think on things a bit.
It looks like someone previously tried to re-glue the surround ring with super glue unsuccessfully. If you look closely you can see a white residue in one spot on the ring and a few places on the frame by the mounting screws. I’ve seen this before with unsuccessful super glue repairs.
Seems my paranoia regarding finish repairs on these was justified.
I could tell the color shift and texture was due to age/sun etc. I wasn’t sure if they were originally supposed to have a Walnut or Cherry finish.
The satin clear coat was obvious, but I didn’t even consider it might be lacquer.
I’d rather figure out a way to make these presentable so I can set them up and enjoy them rather than a restoration. I wouldn’t risk sanding through the veneer. A refinish is a no go…I’d never be able to match what Chris originally accomplished.
I’d have to take a look at local resources and see if anything like a satin lacquer clear coat finish is even available to try a touch up. Then I’d have to figure out a way to practice the touch up before attempting it on the speaker.
To be honest, I was sort hoping I could try to just use some wax and/or crayons to try and blend in the one scuff on the speaker front. Maybe try the same on some of the more obvious scratches on the sides.
Then take care of re-gluing the surround ring.
I’m not sure I understand what the “the 2-way ZIG surround tweak” is.
If it’s referring to adding some more enabl patterns I’m not sure I’d take on any other treatment to the cones. I’d be afraid I would screw them up.
Believe it or not, these speakers were pretty easy to find a short history on just through a google.
I was able to find 3 different listings for these same exact speakers over the last several years.
Someone actually had them listed for $1000 US on Audiogon back in 2022. They seem to have sold to the person I acquired them from in December of 2023 for $395. I paid $250.
I’ll have to think on things a bit.
It looks like someone previously tried to re-glue the surround ring with super glue unsuccessfully. If you look closely you can see a white residue in one spot on the ring and a few places on the frame by the mounting screws. I’ve seen this before with unsuccessful super glue repairs.
Seems my paranoia regarding finish repairs on these was justified.
I could tell the color shift and texture was due to age/sun etc. I wasn’t sure if they were originally supposed to have a Walnut or Cherry finish.
The satin clear coat was obvious, but I didn’t even consider it might be lacquer.
I’d rather figure out a way to make these presentable so I can set them up and enjoy them rather than a restoration. I wouldn’t risk sanding through the veneer. A refinish is a no go…I’d never be able to match what Chris originally accomplished.
I’d have to take a look at local resources and see if anything like a satin lacquer clear coat finish is even available to try a touch up. Then I’d have to figure out a way to practice the touch up before attempting it on the speaker.
To be honest, I was sort hoping I could try to just use some wax and/or crayons to try and blend in the one scuff on the speaker front. Maybe try the same on some of the more obvious scratches on the sides.
Then take care of re-gluing the surround ring.
I’m not sure I understand what the “the 2-way ZIG surround tweak” is.
If it’s referring to adding some more enabl patterns I’m not sure I’d take on any other treatment to the cones. I’d be afraid I would screw them up.
Believe it or not, these speakers were pretty easy to find a short history on just through a google.
I was able to find 3 different listings for these same exact speakers over the last several years.
Someone actually had them listed for $1000 US on Audiogon back in 2022. They seem to have sold to the person I acquired them from in December of 2023 for $395. I paid $250.
TThe cardbaird ring that clamps the surriund edge? White glue.
Tweaks: https://www.diyaudio.com/community/threads/opinions-on-mods-to-ff85wk.365756/post-6480912
dave
Tweaks: https://www.diyaudio.com/community/threads/opinions-on-mods-to-ff85wk.365756/post-6480912
dave
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I think the $250 is a pretty decent value. As or touch up lacquer - try Googling for Mohawk brand finishing supply’s near you. These were built when I was employed at a commercial woodworking shop, so it would have been a product purchase in bulk for application with air powered spray gear, but I have been very happy with results using the Mohawk products in rattle cans on a couple of home built pieces.
As with any finishing project, the prep is 90% of the work.
As with any finishing project, the prep is 90% of the work.
They would have sold for $400-450 CAD in 2005 (much later & they would have had EnABLed drivers.
$1000 USD i a complement toChris and i :^)
The materials in the cabinet along are worth the tariff paid.
dave
$1000 USD i a complement toChris and i :^)
The materials in the cabinet along are worth the tariff paid.
dave