I'm getting ready to build myself a couple of ELS speakers and would like to use the inner tube method for tensioning. I'm thinking of building my panels with perf steel 15" wide by 54" tall. Can I get a bike tire large enough for this size? My design will be very similar to Jazzman's, but with 2 10" woofers per side.
That's what I'm thinking. So far the largest I can find is 29" in diameter. I don't think I could stretch that over the film stretching jig.
Evidently some people have had success gluing inner tubes together for larger stretching tables.
http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/plan...ng-question-panel-matching-2.html#post1371123
http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/plan...ng-question-panel-matching-2.html#post1371037
If you want to use mechanical stretching for tensioning your diaphragm, another option is to use the tape + fish scale method that ER audio uses. Here is a blog with a good writeup on the method.
Jason's DIY Audio: DIY Electrostatic Loudspeakers / ESLs - The Diaphragms
Alternatively, you can use heat to shrink the diaphragm after attaching it to the frame.
two bicycle balloon
two bicycle balloon, crude rubber, cut two, put one on another
http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/plan...ng-question-panel-matching-2.html#post1371123 - this link - fully correct
two bicycle balloon, crude rubber, cut two, put one on another
http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/plan...ng-question-panel-matching-2.html#post1371123 - this link - fully correct
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Thanks for the info. I was thinking of giving that a try. Any links to wire stator construction. I made some electrostatics quite a few years ago from Sanders' original article in the Audio Amateur with the perforated steel stators. I still have 4 of the output transformes he recommended in that article. I might stick with the pef steel stators, but will also consider giving wire stators a try if I can come up with a simple jig for wire spacing. Magnet wire would seem a good choice.
I had Made some stators using some TIG wire and what did was I made a comb using the same TIG wire to hold the longer pieces in place while I soldered in the supporting braces.
I have not finished these yet but atleast the stators are done. 🙂
I have not finished these yet but atleast the stators are done. 🙂
Attachments
This is an approach I used with magnet wire, for what it's worth:
http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/planars-exotics/148819-christening-new-esl-wire-stretcher.html
Few
http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/planars-exotics/148819-christening-new-esl-wire-stretcher.html
Few
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