Tweeter/Speaker Ash-Tray Mounts

[Lewis's Friend]

Hi All

I said I would post up some pictures of my tweeter mounts that go in the old ash-tray position.

I thought I'd start a separate thread just so that if in the future someone searches it, they may be able to find it!

Basically, I got some 12mm mdf and cut it so that it fit tightly into the hole left by the ash-tray (this doesn't need to be pretty - just a snug fit).



I then measured an ash-tray for its outer dimensions, and then cut and shaped a template/jig out of the 12mm mdf about 3mm undersize all the way round (this depends on what router blade you use - more later). I then took some 4mm (I think) mdf and attached it to the jig with a couple of tacks, making sure it overhangs all the way round.

I then set a router with a 90degree curved cutting bit such that the curve of the blade would smooth out onto the horizontal plane of the 4mm mdf. The bit I used had a bearing on the end which I used to pick up on the jig. If you set the blade height right, the router cuts a perfectly radiused plate off of the jig profile.



I then glued the 4mm plate to the previously made hole blank and holesawed an appropriate hole through the whole lot for the tweeter.

I then bought some faux-leather from ebay (good for leggings I'm told) which has permanently made my ebay suggested items a little strange! I covered the mdf and thats it...!





I also made a couple of stainless bits of plate to secure it at the back.

As I said, I shamelessly nicked the idea off of someone else, for which I am very grateful. Hope this helps someone...

Edited by Lewis's Friend on Tuesday 21st March 13:04

[phillpot]

Neat! thanks for the "how to" instructions



I have some stuff called "Foamex", used to made exhibition signs and probably lots of other things, bit more moisture resistant than MDF.


Rumor has it things can occasionally get a bit damp in an S

[Lewis's Friend]

phillpot said:

Neat! thanks for the "how to" instructions



I have some stuff called "Foamex", used to made exhibition signs and probably lots of other things, bit more moisture resistant than MDF.


Rumor has it things can occasionally get a bit damp in an S

No worries. Thankfully, moisture hasn't been a problem so far. Long may it continue!

[glenrobbo]

Nice neat job Jon, but we really want to know how the leggings turned out, and are they moisture resistant?

Are they heavy duty spec like Billy Connelly's?


Edit: No, you really do NOT want to see my eBay suggested items

Edited by glenrobbo on Wednesday 25th February 16:26

[RayTVR]

Good job - so that explains why hours of searching for the rectangular tweeters found nothing, very professional looking.

[v8s4me]

Very clever

[Lewis's Friend]

Thanks for all the kind words chaps.

It's not a hard job, but you do need a router (or a lot of patience and much sand paper) to get a nice even edge.

With a router you just need to make your jig nice and everything else follows.

[Lewis's Friend]

glenrobbo said:

Nice neat job Jon, but we really want to know how the leggings turned out, and are they moisture resistant?

Are they heavy duty spec like Billy Connelly's?

Edited by glenrobbo on Wednesday 25th February 16:26

Indeed not - much stretchier and form fitting!

[Blue 30]

Great idea & installation.
As a side query... What car was the 'S' door ashtray originally from ?
TerryB.

[mohitos]

"

Lewis's Friend said:

As I said, I shamelessly nicked the idea off of someone else, for which I am very grateful

Yes you did

[Smokey Boyer]

and while you have the door cards off, strip and paint the 'walnut' trim strips

[Lewis's Friend]

Smokey Boyer said:

and while you have the door cards off, strip and paint the 'walnut' trim strips

Already in hand. I'm currently redoing the whole interior!

[kevroe]

A couple of quick questions if I may; presume you wire the tweeter directly to the feed to the main speaker? And does it make a significant difference to the sound quality?

[Lewis's Friend]

kevroe said:

A couple of quick questions if I may; presume you wire the tweeter directly to the feed to the main speaker? And does it make a significant difference to the sound quality?

I bought a set of component Focal speakers and replaced the whole lot. This comes with a crossover which you feed the main speaker wire into. You then wire both the mid-range speaker and the tweeter into the crossover. This basically makes the treble to come through the tweeter, and the rest through the other.

It does make a massive difference (although the original system was rubbish and I am also using an external amp to power the new speakers) as it lifts the treble to nearer ear level. These tend to be the frequencies that get lost around your ankles with the original system!

[v8s4me]

Blue 30 said:

... What car was the 'S' door ashtray originally from?....

Ford Transit. Part No. 86VB-V24726-AA.

At least that's the number on the underside of my ashtray.

Edited by v8s4me on Thursday 26th February 23:53

[tvrchim500]

Lewis's Friend said:

kevroe said:

A couple of quick questions if I may; presume you wire the tweeter directly to the feed to the main speaker? And does it make a significant difference to the sound quality?

I bought a set of component Focal speakers and replaced the whole lot. This comes with a crossover which you feed the main speaker wire into. You then wire both the mid-range speaker and the tweeter into the crossover. This basically makes the treble to come through the tweeter, and the rest through the other.

It does make a massive difference (although the original system was rubbish and I am also using an external amp to power the new speakers) as it lifts the treble to nearer ear level. These tend to be the frequencies that get lost around your ankles with the original system!

Hi
What was the model number of the Focal component speakers and do you know if they do a compatible 6 X 9 version for the rear bulkhead.

[Lewis's Friend]

tvrchim500 said:

Lewis's Friend said:

kevroe said:

A couple of quick questions if I may; presume you wire the tweeter directly to the feed to the main speaker? And does it make a significant difference to the sound quality?

I bought a set of component Focal speakers and replaced the whole lot. This comes with a crossover which you feed the main speaker wire into. You then wire both the mid-range speaker and the tweeter into the crossover. This basically makes the treble to come through the tweeter, and the rest through the other.

It does make a massive difference (although the original system was rubbish and I am also using an external amp to power the new speakers) as it lifts the treble to nearer ear level. These tend to be the frequencies that get lost around your ankles with the original system!

Hi
What was the model number of the Focal component speakers and do you know if they do a compatible 6 X 9 version for the rear bulkhead.

The model number was Focal Access 130AS. It also has the advantage that the speaker grill isn't horribly garish (to my eyes at least) and it quite a bit bigger than the speaker which covers all the holes left from previous speakers!

They also do coaxial 6x9 (690AC I believe).

To be honest, you'd probably want to think about externally amping the speakers too, as the headunit will struggle to drive them and get the full advantage from them.

I only have the front door speakers, so used a Vibe Slick Stereo 2 amp, as its tiny and easy to hide behind the passenger seat.