The NORGE speaker build

Post by **Nick** » Mon Feb 09, 2015 10:33 pm

May be missing something, but why not (next time) get the braces cut to include the outer part as well, so they are added as you build up the layers. Just include a brace layer every n normal layers.

Toppsy · Post by **Toppsy** » Tue Feb 10, 2015 10:12 am

Good point Nick and something I had thought about after I had the main frames CNC machined.

It's been a big learning curve building these and unfortunately using 25mm mdf doesn't stack up correctly for the spacing of the braces to be central between the driver through hole spacing. Further time on my CAD drawings is needed me thinks for any future builds to see how easily I can incorporate the braces as you suggest. I think it will end up with more than one thickness of laminations to achieve this.

The other issue I have found though the sheet material is stated as 25mm thick and to all purposes if measured with a ruler it is. However when you stack and glue them together any slight increase in thickness multiplies up as you build up the stack. Eight of the formers glued together actually measure 202.5mm or near as dam it. So when you have 41 of them stacked! Well you get the picture. This is not a problem if you build up a pair of speakers cut from the same sheet stock but would mean the positioning of the braces would not be spot on to the driver cut outs in the front baffle. Hence the braces are positioned, spaced and glued internally to the correct dims from the base reference which means the braces don't fit exactly in alignment with the 25mm main frames. As i said, a big learning curve with using this Translam method of construction.

simon · Post by **simon** » Wed Feb 11, 2015 12:57 pm

Even the bracing is a work of art. Very impressive stuff Colin.

(Oh to have a CNC facility nearby)

Toppsy · Post by **Toppsy** » Sun Feb 15, 2015 5:19 pm

Further progress over the weekend as I have managed to veneer one the cabinets and machined and glued on the solid Oak base and top. The photos show the speaker after a single coat of oil and don't really show up the speaker at it's best. I'll take some more shots tomorrow in the daylight and after the oil has dried.

I'm now on with veneering the second cabinet after having glued up and roughly shaped up the solid Oak ends for this one. Like the ones in the photo they get routed to final shape insitu after the main carcass has been veneered.

Jury is still out on the colour of the leather for the front baffle for these but I'm leaning towards a lighter brown than the dark brown leather I have at the moment. Should be sorting this tomorrow depending what my local sofa manufacturer has in stock.

Next up will be the TM version.

IslandPink · Post by **IslandPink** » Sun Feb 15, 2015 5:57 pm

Fantastic work Colin, that looks lovely.

Paul Barker · Post by **Paul Barker** » Sun Feb 15, 2015 6:25 pm

Excellent

Cressy Snr · Post by **Cressy Snr** » Sun Feb 15, 2015 6:28 pm

Stunnas

Dave the bass · Post by **Dave the bass** » Sun Feb 15, 2015 6:36 pm

Sssshhhhhoddy!

Toppsy · Post by **Toppsy** » Sun Feb 15, 2015 7:25 pm

Thanks guys for the kind comments. Even the missus likes these and says I'm getting better with each new build and she is my most observant critic. Must say I think these are the nicest cabinets to date I have built.

steve s · Post by **steve s** » Sun Feb 15, 2015 8:25 pm

Toppsy wrote:Thanks guys for the kind comments. Even the missus likes these and says I'm getting better with each new build and she is my most observant critic. Must say I think these are the nicest cabinets to date I have built.

She's right colin, best yet in my view
If they sound like they look ... Then they will be very good

Tony Moore · Post by **Tony Moore** » Mon Feb 16, 2015 9:15 am

Amazing! Great job Colin!

Toppsy · Post by **Toppsy** » Mon Feb 16, 2015 2:25 pm

A few more photos taken this morning.

The Stratmangler · Post by **The Stratmangler** » Mon Feb 16, 2015 2:31 pm

I don't want to cause any alarm Colin, but somebody has sneaked into your listening room and relieved you of your 300B amplifier valves

The speaker cabinets are very sexy looking!

Dave the bass · Post by **Dave the bass** » Mon Feb 16, 2015 2:40 pm

Them speakers do so much bass that the valves fall out I've heard!

Toppsy · Post by **Toppsy** » Mon Feb 16, 2015 2:40 pm

Chris / Dave,
AH well now, if you check out the first photo I posted on 15th with the speaker lying flat on the floor you will see the missing valves placed on top the other monobloc to the left.

Whilst applying the oil I kept dislodging the tubes on that amp with my feet so rather than risk breaking the tubes I removed them for safer keeping.

audio-talk

The NORGE speaker build

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