DIY Aluminum tower speaker cans

Duffy Madness · Newbie Joined: 04 Dec 2003 Posts: 23 City: NORCAL

Anyone interested in some DIY aluminum tower speaker cans. These are 1/4" thick 6061 aluminum with all seams welded (not bolted together or glued together like some of the cheap ebay ones)

The dimensions are 7.5" OD, 5.5" cutout for speaker, 10.75" length and each can weighs about 6 lbs. I made these to fit MB Quart 6.5" speakers, but these should work with other 6.5" speakers as well.

Clamps are no included, but I got mine here and they work great. http://www.pro-werks.com/detail.php?name=BAR+MOUNT I paid $67.95 per pair of clamps with tax and shipping.

I built 6 for my boat plus and extra 10 pair to sell. I didn't realize it would cost so much to build these, $200 per pair is basically what it cost me to build these.

DRAGON88 · Posted: Feb 06, 2004 9:52 pm Post subject:

Creepy... Thoes are my plans EXACTLY!

AWESOME JOB!

WaffleJam2250 · Criminal Joined: 29 Jun 2003 Posts: 81 City: Green Bay

Those are sweet man, a couple questions...
1. How much are u asking for them, and how much did the materials cost (just a round figure in case i wanted to build them myself)
2. Is it just me or does $70 for a pair of clamps seem a little steep, has anyone made any DIY clamps, and if so what were your plans?? Thanks man those are awsome though.

Duffy Madness · Newbie Joined: 04 Dec 2003 Posts: 23 City: NORCAL

Waffle Jam, I am asking $200 per pair. The material was $38 per can ($18.50 for the tube and $19.50 for two pieces of plate for the ends). The expensive part was the machining and welding, that where you could save the money if you had the right equipment. I didn't have the right equipment, so I farmed it out to a local shop and for the machining of the end plates and the welding, it cost me $1400 for 24 cans ($58.33 per can). I'm not claiming that is the best deal out there, but it is the best I could find. So the total cost for a pair of cans comes to $192.66.

As far as the clamps go, I couldn't find anything cheaper there either. The next best thing( about the same price) is the Wake Products clamps (Boss look alike). I think they go for $29 each plus shipping, but when I contacted them they were out of the style/size I needed and wouldn't have them for about 6 weeks.

Let me know if you have any other questions on these or if you need a source for the material, the company I found, has the best selection of sizes around.

Later.

DiyGuy · Soul Rider Joined: 26 Dec 2003 Posts: 460

got any pics of how they look finished out?

Duffy Madness · Newbie Joined: 04 Dec 2003 Posts: 23 City: NORCAL

No finished pics yet, I just finished the cans. I'm going back a foutrh trying to decide if I want to tke the time to pilis out six of these or just go the lazy route and send them out for powder coating. With the excption of the clamp, it will basically look just like a Mako speaker can.

DiyGuy · Soul Rider Joined: 26 Dec 2003 Posts: 460

These, 6 inch cans - for the pair----$89 in the rough- unpolished. $159 polished - No mounting clamp. These are made out of aluminum irrigation pipe. Not as thick, but plenty sturdy. 6 in speakers fit nicely, but gills overlap about 1/4 inch. Use black rubber bungee cord for the transtision. It works.

Don't have any for sale at this time, but I could build some more if there is an interest - let me know - PM or email.

Duffy Madness · Newbie Joined: 04 Dec 2003 Posts: 23 City: NORCAL

I can get these powder coated locally to a color of your choice for about $35 to $40 per pair.

WakeTech · Addict Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 949 City: Edmonton

DiyGuy,

Is it easy to polish aluminum, how is it done.

Duffy Madness · Newbie Joined: 04 Dec 2003 Posts: 23 City: NORCAL

I've still got a bunch of these sitting in my garage. I'll let em go unfinished with no clamps for $100 per pair plus shipping. Anyone interested?

DiyGuy · Soul Rider Joined: 26 Dec 2003 Posts: 460

You are still more than Raul's can's

Duffy Madness · Newbie Joined: 04 Dec 2003 Posts: 23 City: NORCAL

Yep. I like the thick walls better though.

Duffy Madness · Newbie Joined: 04 Dec 2003 Posts: 23 City: NORCAL

I've had a couple questions about how these look with the welds ground down. Here are a couple pics of a can from the set I am getting ready to powder coat for myself.