Help needed: How do I fix a "pushed in" dust cap?

[pk]

Hello,

I just received an 8" cone driver that I bought on Ebay. Unfortunately the driver was not packed sufficiently, so the "dust cap" (the center part of the cone) has been "pushed in".

The drivers is a Ciare 8.50 NDMR with a paper cone

Can this be fixed, and how do I do it?

Any help will be much appreciated!

Best regards
Peter

 

[Pano]

I've done it with a vacuum cleaner. Go gently!

 

[HK26147]

See also:
http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=139592

 

[widman]

I've poked a hole in the center of the dent and used a paperclip to pull the dent out. A small dab of glue seals the pin hole.

pete

 

[pk]

Hello Panomaniac, HK26247, and Widman,

Thanks to you all for sharing your experiences! I think I will try make a small hole and fix it from the inside as one of the suggestions said. Thanks!

Best regards
Peter

 

[Alex from Oz]

Try the vacuum cleaner idea first.
You will need a hose attachment that is just slightly larger than the dust cap.

1. With vacuum cleaner OFF, place hose over dustcap and hold against the cone.
Make sure you hold the hose still

2. Turn vacuum ON for a few seconds and turn OFF again
DO NOT remove the hose until the vacuum cleaner has stopped.

3. Look and see if the dustcap has been sucked out.

If it is still pushed in, then repeat but leave the vacuum cleaner ON for a bit longer than the first time.

If you still get no joy, then make a hole.

Cheers,

Alex

 

[tf1216]

Would a large straw with one's own mouth to create suction work? I feel like using a vacuum is a bit dangerous.

 

[Sparky OR]

try a dot of crazy glue on a toothpick, hold it in place til it sets, pull out and then you might be able to twist of bend it off.

 

[peteran]

I doubt you can get enough suction with a straw to pull it out. The vacuum idea should work and depending on the type you may have settings for "powerlevel" in addition to a bypass "valve" on the "handle".

 

[pjp]

This is crazy ! Leave it as it is.
You'll cause real damage to the driver repairing what is right now just a cosmetic defect.

 

[lgreen]

a guy told me

One time the stereo salesman told me to go ahead and buy those demo speakers with the pushed in dust caps. He said don't worry, drip some candle wax onto the dustcap and put a string in. Wait for it to dry and pull the string and the dust cap will come out.

Then just peel the wax off.


I never tried it but it seemed reasonable at the time.

 

[npapp]

I have had success using the tube of a paper towel roll and gently sucking the dust cap out.

 

[wazzy]

dust cap fix

i have use the vacuum cleaner 'method' with great success a bunch of times, i use a small hand held one with a flexible hose attachment, works every time, small tweeters get the 'kiss of life'.

 

[Andersonix]

I've mostly fixed dented dust caps and dome tweeters by sticking tape and pulling, gently massaging, and even gentle sucking (like giving it a kiss - laugh away!). There are special silicone suction cups with vacuum fittings used in the packaging industry that could be used (free samples are available), and I also like the candle wax and thread idea. (Maybe caulk or glue would be better? And if it leaves a residue, the cap could be treated with liquid latex or similar cone treatment.) But often small creases remain, so you might work out a partial refund with the sender.

If all else fails, and you can't stand the appearance, you might even cut out the cap and replace it with a new, slightly bigger one. A drag, but at least you don't have to look at the creases any more.

 

[THUMP LUMP]

Re: dust cap fix

i have use the vacuum cleaner 'method' with great success a bunch of times, i use a small hand held one with a flexible hose attachment, works every time, small tweeters get the 'kiss of life'.

+1