Home-made tower speakers.

X-Star · Soul Rider Joined: 01 Apr 2003 Posts: 253

I am looking to build some home-made tower speakers and I want to see what people have made out there. How about some pictures with full details? How much, what material, how long, pro's/con's, problems, tips, suggestions? All the good stuff.

Phaeton · Addict Joined: 12 Jan 2003 Posts: 572 City: Redding

This is how I did it.

First figure out the outside diameter of your
speakers. Then you will need to have the end cap cut and the front flange
cut. Mine were cut on a plasma table. After those are done then you can take
your flat material and roll it to those sizes. Weld them in place and sand.
If you are going to have more than one
canister then you will need to make something to hook them together. I use
aluminum rod that I drill the center out. That way I can bolt the cans to
each other. I'm getting my mounting brackets from Brian at www.Mako-ind.com
Not sure what you are going to do for that part but try Brian or Ryan at
www.rynogear.com. Here's some pictures to help you out. Anything else please
feel free to ask.

Millertyme · Posted: May 12, 2003 8:33 am Post subject:

I made these for about 50 bucks. I bought the speakers on e-bay and fabbed up a bracket at work.

X-Star · Soul Rider Joined: 01 Apr 2003 Posts: 253

[quote="Phaeton"]

First figure out the outside diameter of your
speakers. Then you will need to have the end cap cut and the front flange
cut. Mine were cut on a plasma table. After those are done then you can take your flat material and roll it to those sizes. Weld them in place and sand.

sounds great but what kind of material did you use? I'm assuming you used all aluminum. then you said weld them in place and sand. I'm assuming you ment use a grinder? Just a little confused on your materials and techniques.

mc_driver · Criminal Joined: 24 Mar 2003 Posts: 84 City: SF Bay Area

X-star:

I've been following Phaeton's projects since Phat Boy, and he definitely has the process down pat. I believe he's using 1/8" aluminum for the cans, flange and back cover (.090" is a bit thin to work(weld) with). It would be safe to assume he uses a grinder to smooth the seams/welds.

Been thinking about going the process on your own? Yeah, so have I, but I don't have the resources available like Phaeton does. I would have to find someone to dedicate their time to do mine. Anyways, Phaeton's been an inspiration to those willing to venture the project. Always a source for information.

Ral

Brad Embleton · Addict Joined: 13 Jan 2003 Posts: 511 City: Niagara Falls

HEREs mine

Texas · Criminal Joined: 13 Mar 2003 Posts: 81 City: Houston

Finally finished with the tower speakers, feel free to send me an email if you want details.. this was a major investment and project.. Its very very loud and clear @ approx 128DB!!!! Firing from both the rear and the front of the tower, stick you ear plugs in,

Phaeton · Addict Joined: 12 Jan 2003 Posts: 572 City: Redding

X-Star, The Phat-Boy set up was out of .090 aluminum. The new set is out of 1/8" aluminum. Nothing wrong with .090 1/8" just welds easier. To sand I use a 36 grit roll lock on an angle die grinder. Probably lost you there. After that then I sand with 320 grit on a finish orbital sander. Here is a picture of my first tower set up. Took a lot more time because the cans had to hang down from the tower and I made the clamps.

Phaeton · Addict Joined: 12 Jan 2003 Posts: 572 City: Redding

I also made this set up.

RKG · Criminal Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 94 City: Nashville

I used 6.5" stainless steel, stainleessteel plate to make the ends (similiar to how Phaetons is set up) My tubes are 12" long , Polk recommended that length based on the diameted for the proper volume (actually they recommended 13", I rounded down Smile

) Not 100% sure on the welding, my dads shopdid it. I bought the brackets from my shop, which I believe are Ryno gear brackets. The brackets alone were 60% of my cost in this. I am working on the brackets to see if I can get nice looking for less money, not sure how that will turn out. Once I shrink the pics some, I will post them

lumpy19 · Criminal Joined: 12 Jan 2003 Posts: 97 City: Rochester

Instead of rolling the material you can buy your aluminum tubing at www.onlinemetals.com

Then have a circle of aluminum cut for the end cap. You can buy the tubing 1/4" thick so there will be enough meat there to bolt in the end cap and drill and tap some holes for the speaker mounts. Obviously welding is preferred but adds to the cost.

Very simple, looks good and much cheaper than buying them. This is my plan. After I get my tower together I'll dive in on the speaker project.

Hyperryd · Addict Joined: 03 May 2003 Posts: 604 City: Central Cali

Here are mine that I just finished! Twisted Evil

X-Star · Soul Rider Joined: 01 Apr 2003 Posts: 253

Nice work guys. I think I'm going to dedicate a weekend coming up to build mine. You guys have all been a big help. I'll post mine when finished.

lumpy19, I checked out that web site. I think I found something that will work. Thanks for the tip. I like easy and clean and thats what those 6" aluminum pipes look like to me. Thanks man.

ccryder · Newbie Joined: 18 Jun 2003 Posts: 21 City: Modesto, CA

Mine is shown in my profile and I can set you up with patterns, instructions etc if you haven't already started.

BigD · Criminal Joined: 28 Apr 2003 Posts: 51 City: Texas

I've got about $250.00 total in this setup.

Fishmaster · Posted: Jun 20, 2003 7:48 pm Post subject:

WOW,

The level of work in the DIY speaker boxes is at a all time level of impressiveness.

There are some plans and sources for brackets and other goodies at www.diyTower.com you may want to get some ideas from.

Bill

byerly2003 · Criminal Joined: 13 May 2003 Posts: 82 City: Nashville

Just dont forget to dampen the tube, if you dont with really hard materials like metals you can get ringing sounds or distoration at high volums. I prefer fiberglass myself, gel coated to match. Im currently building some fiberglass tubes and box enclosures for some friends, ill post pics when complete.

Wakescene.com · Posted: Jun 30, 2003 10:17 pm Post subject:

Heres mine...