Karmik,
Some DIY lessons learned:
1. Every operation in a build should be mentally rehearsed in detail before being executed...this is most important when power tools and flesh will be in proximity. Think through how to best accomplish it and especially what could go wrong, then plan the best execution with the tools you have available. The actual work will almost always go well if you have done it in your mind several times.
2. But even when you follow this advice you will still inevitably have things go wrong in a build. When you do stop immediately, leave your project at least overnight and take time to understand what went wrong and how. Then work out the best way to correct the problem and get back on track. Do not resume work until you know exactly what you will do to correct the problem as well as how that will alter the rest of the build.
3. Every builder will make errors, what separates the successful crafstman is how cleverly he/she is able to work with and/or around these and even to have the outcome improved in surmounting the problem. Some of the errors I have made that at first distressed me greatly ended up stretching my skills and creativity in surprisingly rewarding ways.
Some DIY lessons learned:
1. Every operation in a build should be mentally rehearsed in detail before being executed...this is most important when power tools and flesh will be in proximity. Think through how to best accomplish it and especially what could go wrong, then plan the best execution with the tools you have available. The actual work will almost always go well if you have done it in your mind several times.
2. But even when you follow this advice you will still inevitably have things go wrong in a build. When you do stop immediately, leave your project at least overnight and take time to understand what went wrong and how. Then work out the best way to correct the problem and get back on track. Do not resume work until you know exactly what you will do to correct the problem as well as how that will alter the rest of the build.
3. Every builder will make errors, what separates the successful crafstman is how cleverly he/she is able to work with and/or around these and even to have the outcome improved in surmounting the problem. Some of the errors I have made that at first distressed me greatly ended up stretching my skills and creativity in surprisingly rewarding ways.
well hell, I haven't even read past the first three posts, and had to say how spooky accurate they are... I guess I'm in good company though! *hugs*
I've been working on a project with a buddy, and feature creep rung home with me on this project... "Yeah, we can add constrained layer dampening, why not?" A week's extra work sanding off uber silicone is why...
Sincerely!
I've been working on a project with a buddy, and feature creep rung home with me on this project... "Yeah, we can add constrained layer dampening, why not?" A week's extra work sanding off uber silicone is why...
Sincerely!
One thing no one mentioned yet. Don't mount the speakers in a cabinet before finishing the paint/veneer, you'll probably need at least a year to get around to finally do it.
It took 1 week to make 1 pair of speakers , time is passing by and still in big confusion in making the box for the crossover !!!!
Very true!! I was very diligent and didn't give in to temptation and finished my MTMS cabinets before mounting the drivers. My previous speakers finally got a coat of paint after around 20 years, and it was only because I was worried I'd come home one day and find they were gone. I'm amazed the other half (and her mother) put up with them for so long!
Tony.
My two cents worth: even when you've done a good job, and people are telling you how nice they are, you're still going to think about the little things you could have done better, how nobody noticed the small 'defects', etc. It's the difference between being a 'maker' and a 'user'. (When something breaks, a user wonders why it broke so soon, a maker wonders how it lasted this long.) It's what will keep you going.
This is a must! I am reminded of friends who frequent bars.....get liquored up and end up waking in the morning to a snaggle toothed sloth of a woman next to them (of course she was beautiful the night before).
You may very well think at the time your speakers look great but when you sober up you'll be wondering what the heck you did?!
I'm not concerned about wood, but about flesh, I have almost cut off my fingertip with a skalpel, but it healed 😀
It took long enough...
http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/multi-way/167960-inexpensive-gedlee-bouska-waveguide-tweeter-midbass-idea-5.html
A year long main speaker project:
It is nothing but imperfections, some small, some large.
No straight sides.
No 90 degree corners.
No 2 dimensions the same.
Paint job sucks.
Went 30-50% over budget.
Went 300% longer than planned.
Not shown are two big subs I built that have:
No straight sides.
No 90 degree corners.
No 2 dimensions the same.
Paint job sucks.
Went 30-50% over budget.
Went 300% longer than planned.
Can't see any of these unique qualities from 8 feet away.
Despite my success in imperfection, they measure well and sound great!
(I have to thank Gedlee for having so many posts on my type of speaker)
The old "Just Do It" slogan comes to mind.
http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/multi-way/167960-inexpensive-gedlee-bouska-waveguide-tweeter-midbass-idea-5.html
A year long main speaker project:
It is nothing but imperfections, some small, some large.
No straight sides.
No 90 degree corners.
No 2 dimensions the same.
Paint job sucks.
Went 30-50% over budget.
Went 300% longer than planned.
Not shown are two big subs I built that have:
No straight sides.
No 90 degree corners.
No 2 dimensions the same.
Paint job sucks.
Went 30-50% over budget.
Went 300% longer than planned.
Can't see any of these unique qualities from 8 feet away.
Despite my success in imperfection, they measure well and sound great!
(I have to thank Gedlee for having so many posts on my type of speaker)
The old "Just Do It" slogan comes to mind.
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Measure and measure again and do it for a third time. Instead of buying a hole saw a size too small, which I couldn't use anyway as the arbour was then therefore 1mm too small. Waste of time and money. Even though I measured and was sure of the size; it truly baffled me...
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