Author Topic: Screwdrivers and Speakers (Read 230 times)

glocke · « **on:** December 18, 2009, 04:05:36 AM »

dont mix.....

good news is that I narrowed down which of the two speakers in my eden cabinet had an issue....bad news is I now have two bad speakers instead of one.

When remounting the good speaker back into the cabinet I accidentaly drove it through the paper about 1/4 from the rim.
Surprisingly it still sounds ok, even at higher volumes, but is there a quick easy fix for this? I seem to recall hearing about a special type of glue that one can use for small tears in speakers.

terryc · « **Reply #1 on:** December 18, 2009, 06:42:17 AM »

If you close the tear without straining the rest of the cone then a thin coat of superglue will seal the tear.

lbpesq · « **Reply #2 on:** December 18, 2009, 07:54:39 AM »

I seem to remember fixing a torn speaker with rubber cement back in the stone age.

Bill, tgo

cozmik_cowboy · « **Reply #3 on:** December 18, 2009, 08:44:29 AM »

I've seen the rubber cement thing, too. And hairspray as a stop-gap recone. Then, of course, there was the guy in my high school bands who would always stick a screwdriver through a new speaker - fuzz tone, don't you know?

Peter

spose · « **Reply #4 on:** December 18, 2009, 09:01:59 AM »

common issue..dang screwdrivers!
I keep my hand and fingers around he driver tip when doing this now because I've had my share accidents!

There's this stuff called Automotive Goop..it stays somewhat flexible when cured and is a good fix. The other thing I've found that works great too is liquid electrical tape..it's flexible and it's black so it conceals the repair as well.

David Houck · « **Reply #5 on:** December 18, 2009, 09:21:49 AM »

I went looking and found this; I have no idea whether it would actually work, or would be an appropriate alternative to the suggestions already posted above. (edited for readability)

? Cut or tear some tissue paper into pieces a little bigger than the tear
? Soak the pieces in some diluted Elmer's glue
? Apply pieces, one at a time, over the tear
? Let each patch get tacky then, apply the next layer
? Repeat until you have applied three to five layers on each side of the cone
? Let dry overnight

You may have to play with the glue mixture and application to get it right, so experiment on a dead speaker, if possible, before going prime time.

This trick only works on woofers with paper cones, but can save a speaker.

David Houck · « **Reply #6 on:** December 18, 2009, 09:31:55 AM »

And two from another site.

Minor damage to the cone can be repaired using a flexible adhesive like weatherstrip cement and a piece of thick paper to reinforce the seam or hole if necessary. Since this will not totally perfect match with the original paper cone, there could be audible distortion at certain frequencies particularly at higher volume levels. However, such a repair will be better than nothing. Cut the paper in a shape and size to just overlap both sides of the torn area or completely cover the puncture. Use just the smallest amount of adhesive to fasten your 'splint' to the cone. The less material you add, the more likely that the audio effects will be minimal.

And

I have repaired many field-coil speakers, and there is one sure proof way my grandfather showed me (and several Tube Radio rebuilding mags suggest the same). Take a milk glue (Elmers or such), and rub it around the crack. Then take a piece of brown lunch bag and rub it with glue. Place it over the crack, and rub some glue on it, pressing it in place. The glue should by now soak the paper of the cone and bag. When dried you cant tell the difference in sound and its as sturdy as ever.

David Houck · « **Reply #7 on:** December 18, 2009, 09:39:57 AM »

And here's one that seems to take the best from the ones I previously posted and add more detail.

This tip is about how to repair small tears in speaker cones. You may have a really great sounding speaker with it?s original cone that has a small tear somewhere in the cone. A small tear is around one inch in overall length. Instead of getting the speaker reconed or trying to find a replacement there is an easy fix that will repair the damage and prevent it from getting worse. The first thing to do is if the paper of the cone is wrinkled in any way try to straighten or flatten it out with your fingers as best as you can. Next you will need some white glue such as Elmer?s (the same stuff we all used in grade school) an automatic coffee maker filter and a small artist?s paint brush. Take some glue and put it in a small bowl and add some water to it at about an 8:1 ratio (8 parts glue-one part water). You only need a little glue to repair the tear. Cut the coffee filter to extend about 1/4 in each direction from the tear. Using the artist?s paint brush apply some glue to one side of the coffee filter and to the back of the cone. The coffee filter ?patch? will be applied to the back of the cone. Take the coffee filter patch and apply it to the tear in the cone and work it into any rib or impression of the cone. If there is any excess glue that is running or oozing be sure to clean it up with a slightly damp cloth or paper towel. You can work on the front of the cone with your finger as well. Let the patch dry for 24 hours. After it is dry reinstall the speaker and you are ready to go. This repair will work for paper cone speakers that have small puncture holes, tears or any other small damage. If the damage is bigger then it is time for a recone but this works well on the small stuff and will keep your speaker rockin?!

slawie · « **Reply #8 on:** December 18, 2009, 01:29:15 PM »

Try a model airplane shop.

They can kit you out with DOPE and mylar such as is used
for model airplane fuselage/wing skins.

This method has worked for me and lasted years.

slawie

garth4664 · « **Reply #9 on:** December 20, 2009, 06:44:22 PM »

If you have a completely broken speaker, why not use part of that one's cone as a patch. Also, I would be more inclined to use a CA type glue super-glue as it is light and dries fast. Increasing the weight of the speaker cone would definately change it's respose.

crobbins · « **Reply #10 on:** December 21, 2009, 04:25:19 PM »

We always used newspaper and white glue. Also a little dab of silicon goop will work...

peoplechipper · « **Reply #11 on:** January 15, 2010, 09:47:21 PM »

Silicone's always worked for me...anyone ever watched a Hartke cab self-destruct? when those speakers reach end of life, the disintegrate, literally fall apart in a couple hours...I've seen it and it's crazy to watch and hear...Tony

serialnumber12 · « **Reply #12 on:** January 16, 2010, 05:58:22 AM »

looks like im gonna have to make a trip to Bag End because i just blew these JBL's to Hell!

sonicus · « **Reply #13 on:** January 16, 2010, 08:38:14 AM »

@ serialnumber12 , HI . How are you ?

I have 2 ALEMBIC A15 cabinets that I have had since the mid 70's that I just refinished and had the JBL K140's in them RECONED by my good friend Ron . He is the Owner of http://unclespot.com and does expert reconing !

serialnumber12 · « **Reply #14 on:** January 16, 2010, 02:38:50 PM »

Im doin good man,i blew the shit outta these JBL's & i love these cabs......they Can Rattle some shit!