What DIY projects have you been thinking about?

[madmax]

I find there is way more time to think about DIY projects than there is to actually do them.

Anyway, stuff on my mind is:

*A wall mounted turntable shelf. Has a second shelf for the preamp. Should be medium weight, steel square tubing and spiked mdf shelves.

*A brass or steel clamping ring which goes around the TT platter to hold the outside edge of the record against the platter. Next best thing to vacuum, which I can't afford.

*Jolida capacitor and resistor mods.

*SDA crossover upgrade.

Lots of other ideas but the ones listed above will take me forever. :)

madmax

[BrentMcGhee]

I have been thinking about begining to start thinking about getting into DIY ;)

[SCompRacer]

Finishing the wet bar so the family room in the lower level is 100% done. But I lost my ambition somewhere about the time I reclothed the SRS 2's.....can't seem to find it. My last year has been a big DIY around here......

[ND13]

Crossover upgrades and polyswitches for my SDA 2Bs
Grills for my Mon 10As
Upgrade binding posts on virtually all of my speaks
I'd also like to get an integrated tube amp kit and try to find the time to assemble it.
and......Hmmmmmmm....several others

[tryrrthg]

Build a box for the monster (Atlas 15) in the pics below.

After that I plan on making some acoustic panels for the man cave.

[VR3]

Make Russ some Fostex FE166E enclosures...

Finish up my other BP10B enclosure eventually...

Sell enclosures to people to busy to make their own! ;) hint..hint..

[Gaara]

Just finished felting my speakers.

I am currently working on building a TNT Audio Flexy, just waiting for paint to dry right now actually. Sould be done by tommarow.

[steveinaz]

I've always wanted to "mod" my Parasound HCA-1500A 2 ways:
1. Hardwire/bypass the bridging switch (I'll never run it bridged)
2. Hardwire/bypass the 2 output knobs on back (I always use full output)

...maybe one of these days when I'm bored....

[izafar]

Crossover Upgarde for SDA1B
Build a Sealed Sub
Refinish the SDA1B Cabs

[Ron-P]

Getting ready to DIY a new, bigger screen for my front projector. I begin the demo of the old one tonight. I'll also be DIY'ing a new projector mount I picked up the 1" galvanized pipe today at Lowe's.

[michael_w]

One day when I find myself a decent cheap slide projector I will make a 40 to 55" ldc projection tv out of it.

Get these audax speakers running full range in some boxes.

Actually finish up my diy sub (just have to paint and make perty)


Damn, tryrrthg how can you let that thing sit there??? My enclosure was pretty much built before mine even got to my house :)

[SCompRacer]

This unfinsihed 40' x 14' lower level kept me busy for a year. While I had some help from friends, did most of the work myself. That allowed me to afford some upgrades, like the remote controlled direct vent fireplace and in-wall/ceiling surround sound. About a month of that time was redoing the upstairs bath with a whirlpool tub and shower spa. Once the lower level was finished, access to that drain would have been difficult.

The flooring is engineered wood, floating on a concrete slap with vapor barrier and muffler under it. The Oak layer is thick, allowing for up to three refinishings.

I had removed a window in the lower level to get a large one piece shower stall in. LOL What a project....

Got a wet bar to finish yet too. So I'm not too anxious to start any DIY stuff for a while. I find myself SOMA in front of my SDA's lately.

[Skynut]

I want to make a Death star sub, the one on e-bay was pretty cool.
I also want to design and build an audio rack with isolation for each component. It would be built out of Aluminium with Copper accents and glass sides and door.
I also would like to seal it and use a cooling fan to pull air through a filter so as to keep the dust from building up on the inside.
But alas as Madmax said "I find there is way more time to think about DIY projects than there is to actually do them." so for now I just dream.

[tryrrthg]

Damn, tryrrthg how can you let that thing sit there??? My enclosure was pretty much built before mine even got to my house :)
Because the list of projects on our house is LOOOONNNGGG! I'm also going to run into some wife acceptance factors with the monster. Hoping to build it out of furniture grade plywood so it looks nice.

I just bought a table saw last week so I'm going crazy with anticipation. :D

Plus I already had a nice DIY sub to begin with so I didn't NEED to build anything. Now that I've sold my old DIY sub it helps with the motivation. ;)

[Schris22]

Build my AV12 Sub....hopefully it comes in by this weekend...

Chris

[michael_w]

Just ask your wife if she needs another nicely finished end table. You could even put fake drawer faces and stuff on it if you really want to. Or you could call it creative art by having random cubes around the house...

[tryrrthg]

Just ask your wife if she needs another nicely finished end table.
That's my plan. I hope it looks like a nice looking piece of furniture when I'm done with it. but I'm guessing she will still have issues with the size. I thought bigger was always better for women? ;)

I just might have to go with a sealed design...

[Jstas]

Been trying to find the time, space and money to build a tube amp setup for a home theater and use old KLH speakers to do so. By "build a tube amp setup" I don't mean that I want to buy a bunch of amps and a pre/pro. I'm trying to find the time to build some tube amps for a custom HT setup

[dcarlson]

I'm looking to build some power cords and add the Sweet Whispers and anticipation upgrades to the Bottlehead Foreplay.

[gmorris]

I'm going to build these speakers next. http://www.partsexpress.com/projectshowcase/hivijuniors/index.html

[Burnzy]

My DIY project that I've been thinking about...

Well we are in the process of getting our entertainment center put in. Now I'm going to have to move the sub but do not know where to put it. I could put it in the corner of the room but the WAF is low and the kids would be pulling wires and cords, twisting knobs, etc.

So I was thinking about a DIY sub that I could put in back of the TV mounted on the wall. This would take care of the WAF and the kids. I don't know how it would sound though :confused: , someone might want to chime in and give me their thoughts on this.

I'll try and post some pictures at a later time.

[michael_w]

Like an infinate baffle or a box mounted on the wall behind the tv?

[Toxis]

I'd like to do a few DIY projects, but no time/money/tools/place to build it.

1. Custom sub enclosure with dual 8's for my basement.
2. Set of small computer speakers that image great off little to no power.
3. Build some line array's for the bedroom. I need music up there and have a lil onkyo stereo receiver to run it but need something thin that won't take up much footprint, yet don't care about height.
4. Build a job that pays me a lot more... wait...

[Polk65]

1. Install a workbench exhaust fan to suck fumes like solder, glue, and paint outside. A kitchen stove/range hood would be ideal.

2. Custom center channel based upon the RTA 15TL crossover or the RTA 11T with crossover mod for the sl3000/rd0198-1 tweeter.

3. Surround channels (RTA 11T) crossover mod for the sl3000/rd0198-1 tweeter.

4. Install quiet solar powered intake and exhaust fans at opposite sides of a room that heats up from the afternoon sun. This will use a photovoltaic collector to both power the fans during the day and charge a deep cell battery for evening use. Remote control would be nice, but I'll probably use a thermostat.

5. Construct a thicker SDA interconnect.

6. Construct a SDA AI-1 interconnect.

7. Upgrade SDA crossovers and replace polyswitches.

8. Make solid wood SDA end caps from either Purple Heart, Ironwood or Rosewood.

9. Convert mini fridge to a keg-erator. :)

10. Build a nice sub.

[BlueMDPicker]

I find there is way more time to think about DIY projects than there is to actually do them.

Same here, madmax.

Here's the top of the list for me. 165 watt RMS OTL monoblocks to drive the front/mains of the projection HT setup -- which is also a work in progress:
http://www.transcendentsound.com/analyzer%20005.jpg
http://www.transcendentsound.com/analyzer%20007.jpg

[burdette]

*A wall mounted turntable shelf. Has a second shelf for the preamp. Should be medium weight, steel square tubing and spiked mdf shelves.


When I was in college, I built a turntable "shelf" by hanging the shelf from the ceiling using cord and springs. It seemed to work quite well.

[Early B.]

I'd like to build a pair of high quality bookshelf speakers for less than $150. I'm thinking of either buying a cheap pair of used bookshelf speakers off ebay for the cabinets and binding posts or building them myself, purchasing Vifa or Dayton drivers (preferably used), getting a crossover designed by Madisound, then buying the crossover parts and assembling it myself. If I decide to build the cabinets, I'd choose an unconventional shape -- maybe pyramidal or trapezoidal. Only problem is -- I have no need for them once they're built.

[Burnzy]

Like an infinate baffle or a box mounted on the wall behind the tv?

Yes, that would be the idea, something behind the TV.

[michael_w]

Brunzy,

My sub is pertty much directly behind my tv and it sounds better than it did when it was in the corner. The ugly mdf box in the back is my sub.

[Mjr7531]

- TV Stand
- Speaker Stands
- Speaker projects left and right (I still have about 100 NSB, They make for great gifts in finished enclosures)

See, I have the time to do projects, just not the money, but I just blew out my checking account and am working on all three projects right now.

[madmax]

See, I have the time to do projects, just not the money.


I know the feeling. I used to have tons of time but no money. Now I can afford the projects but have no time. Hopefully the next step in life is to have the money AND the time. I probably won't be interested by the time that happens. :D

madmax

[louthewiz]

I am in the first stages of building a diy projector with a 10,000-20,000 hour bulb so I can watch a 100 inch tv all the time.

[Polkersince85]

I am in the first stages of building a diy projector with a 10,000-20,000 hour bulb so I can watch a 100 inch tv all the time.

Are you using plans or Swag (Scientific Wild A$$ed Guess) method? This could be a good project.

[michael_w]

What bulb and source are you going to use lou? I thought about making one that used a 7" lcd with a metal halide bulb but decided not to because a lot of the parts are hard to find in canada.

[louthewiz]

http://www.diyprojectorcompany.com/other/getting_started.htm This one looks like a winner . :D

[zingo]

I just installed a fan in my desk.
Here is my story: my computer desk has a compartment in it where my computer sits. Since it is in a mostly enclosed location, it gets pretty warm. So I installed a fan in the side of the desk with a switch on the front so I can vent the desk. It is pretty cool if I must say so myself.

[ben62670]

I am finishing up the design of a SDA arrangement with 8 stereo, and 8 dimensional woofers, 2 tweeters, and 4 PR's per cabinet. both arrays will be divided into separate chambers so I can run in pure stereo mode (just the 8 stereo woofers) for movies. I am going to electronically control the SDA affect via combining stereo, out of phase l/r swap, and crossover frequencies with tri amplification per speakers. I may also work into the electronics being able to send just the LFE to the dimensional drivers when in "movie mode".

[Lasareath]

Refinishing my SRS 1.2TL's in Black Lacquer & African Padauk (no grille materials, except on the removable front grilles). Check out my link in my signature.

[ben62670]

Refinishing my SRS 1.2TL's in Black Lacquer & African Padauk (no grille materials, except on the removable front grilles). Check out my link in my signature.

I can't wait to see the results. I am thinking of doing mine in cherry or mahogany. I'll need 3 sheets to do the job so I can't go as fancy as yours. Keep us updated :)

[zingo]

ben62670,
When you finish your speakers, could you post some pics? I am very interested in your custom design.

[ben62670]

ben62670,
When you finish your speakers, could you post some pics? I am very interested in your custom design.

Will do. I have done 2 different cabinets so far. They have been learning experiences. I am really taking the time to get the plans done right for this project, and have had help from some fellow Polkies, and CS on this project. I am still in need of a few more drivers, but I am well on my way to getting the actual build rolling. These suckers are going to be about 7 feet tall, 2 feet wide, and a little deeper than the originals. I expect them to weigh around 300 lbs when finished:eek: . With all my back, and neck injury's it makes it hard to do these by myself. In a couple weeks my friend should have the time to help me make some cuts, and assist with the assembly.

[zingo]

Here are some picture of my in-desk fan install. It's not pretty, but it's inside the foot well of my desk, so it's not in public view anyway. It's a pretty cool idea, I wanted a fun but short project, and the whole thing only cost my $6 anyway.

[treitz3]

Mod (1) Carver M1.5t.
Mod Rega Apollo.
Change amp in Polk PSW1000.
Design/build wall mounted cable isolators.

[strider]

Refinishing my SRS 1.2TL's in Black Lacquer & African Padauk (no grille materials, except on the removable front grilles). Check out my link in my signature.


Looks like quite a project. That African paduak will look great against the black lacquer. Keep us updated, I'd love to follow along so I have something to go on when/if I decide to redo my 2B's.

[AndyGwis]

On my list:
- sell current AV stand, move bedroom stand to 2-channel rig, get a cabinet for bedroom gear
- replace speaker feet with some cool brass feet.
- replace tweeters in my RT600s with cash I get from
- replace the LCD on my digital camera that I've managed to break twice in the last two months.
- sell all my random audio gear as my 2-channel rig is finished, gear-wise.
- move kitchen table out as it's getting in the way of my kitchenette 2-channel system. Eat on the floor.

[dudeinaroom]

1. rebuild crossovers for sda2's(when I get the money)
2. Build a pr sub ""
3. Center channel using 4 mw(with bucking magnets) & tweet from crs
4. Replace poly switches on sda's(which I ordered today)
5. Build custom enclosures for my van for my component set.
6. Build a tube amp.< most likely won't happen, after time involved would be cheaper to just buy 1.
I can go on and on.

[ben62670]

I want to dynomat my whole apartment! And Egg crate Foam!

[seeclear]

1--Wire and then setup the HT in our new house. IF we can ever get our current house sold. Anyone want to buy a SWEET vacation home in beautiful Florissant, Co?

2--Sonosub

:rolleyes:

[ben62670]

1--Wire and then setup the HT in our new house. IF we can ever get our current house sold. Anyone want to buy a SWEET vacation home in beautiful Florissant, Co?

2--Sonosub

:rolleyes:

I have built a sonosub. If you need any help let me know. If you use the sonosub.exe program it does not calculate the boxes very well. I recommend WinISD instead to get the volume right, and then use sonosub.exe to build the tube right. I learned the hard way:o

Ben

[schwarcw]

Three sets of SDA crossovers. All with Sonicaps and Mills.

[Face]

Bass traps and a custom sub enclosure.

[seeclear]

I have built a sonosub. If you need any help let me know. If you use the sonosub.exe program it does not calculate the boxes very well. I recommend WinISD instead to get the volume right, and then use sonosub.exe to build the tube right. I learned the hard way:o

Ben

What haven't you built?;) ;) ;)

I followed the thread where you built those big-ass SDA mofos.:eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek:

Seriously, it could be a year or more before I can get started on that project, but I sure appreciate the offer of advice and will definitely take you up on it when the time comes.

Did you (or anyone else, for that matter) ever consider suspending the sonosub from the ceiling? There was another thread that brought up the value of raising a sub off the floor, and suspending it would solve the problem of instability of a big, tall sonosub. Finding the best spot could be a challenge, tho.

[ben62670]

What haven't you built?;) ;) ;)

I followed the thread where you built those big-ass SDA mofos.:eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek:

Seriously, it could be a year or more before I can get started on that project, but I sure appreciate the offer of advice and will definitely take you up on it when the time comes.

Did you (or anyone else, for that matter) ever consider suspending the sonosub from the ceiling? There was another thread that brought up the value of raising a sub off the floor, and suspending it would solve the problem of instability of a big, tall sonosub. Finding the best spot could be a challenge, tho.

Suspending the sub would be a good idea. It would help decouple it from the floor for sure that way. I could do that with my homebrew SDA's too, but I would need a houst, or come along for that. You have me thinking;)

I need to do a couple of things anyways like
Acoustic treatment
audio rack
fine tune tweeters
fix Adcom GFA-585
maybe someday clean room:o

[venomclan]

I was thinking about building a hot chick like they did in the movie Weird Science. Does anyone know of a kit on the market? :p
V

[Skynut]

I was thinking about building a hot chick like they did in the movie Weird Science. Does anyone know of a kit on the market? :p
V

E-bay.


I got mine on ebay but she doesn't look anything like the movie chick.

I don't remember her getting blown up before she started talking?:D

[venomclan]

E-bay.


I got mine on ebay but she doesn't look anything like the movie chick.

I don't remember her getting blown up before she started talking?:D

LOL, I think that model was called Cooperative Cathy. A friend of mine brought one to my bachelor party :D
V

[Silverti]

I am currently working on my daylight basements. ITs about 700 AQ/FT. On side will be my HT. Next week I get my dedicated circuits run down there. In 2 weeks Ill put up the insulation and then Ill have my drywaller come in. By the end of summer I hope its done. It'll them move my HT down there and install a 1080P front projector.

[Deadof_knight]

OK lets see here
1. build either a push/push isobaric 18" enclosure or two simple ported or vented. Always wanted to do an isobaric but its hard to give and 18" for that. under the stairs where my velo 15 is at now. ( and slide this all by the wife, the construction that is minor wall trimmings involved to put 2 boxes. with one isobaric I dont have to change the hole for it. but man when it hits your gonna notice it.
2. Vent my entertainment center at the top with a couple fans , Ive already completed the shelves being drilled for ventillation, now the wife wants to finnaly put glass in the doors,

3. I wanna start my 400 horse 350 so I can drop it in my RX-7 and go play with the little rice burners again.....hehehehe wanna play lil boy?

[ben62670]

OK lets see here
1. build either a push/push isobaric 18" enclosure or two simple ported or vented. Always wanted to do an isobaric but its hard to give and 18" for that. under the stairs where my velo 15 is at now. ( and slide this all by the wife, the construction that is minor wall trimmings involved to put 2 boxes. with one isobaric I dont have to change the hole for it. but man when it hits your gonna notice it.
2. Vent my entertainment center at the top with a couple fans , Ive already completed the shelves being drilled for ventillation, now the wife wants to finnaly put glass in the doors,

3. I wanna start my 400 horse 350 so I can drop it in my RX-7 and go play with the little rice burners again.....hehehehe wanna play lil boy?

I saw a nice V8 conversion that used a 302. It was done professionally. Has to be a ton of fun. Mine was a ported 12a with a Delorto side draft, and it hauled butt. It was just over 200hp with a 12,500 redline, and a Center Force II clutch. It did a calculated 145 of a flat road. Fun to do nice tight donuts in. All racing beat parts.

[Deadof_knight]

Ben you have to be joking , man even tho I have never met you we would have to had to been friends if we had. I just sold my rotary and tranny . Local porta rican did my motor 13b ported all race springs and seals and some rican know how. The motor was set up for side drafts and it performed great, but for what Im looking for I could have 400 ft lbs of torque for the same money. Thats what sold me especially after seeing the weight distrobution didnt get thrown out the window , Ive got the block the forged crank ,the rods , the roller lifters and spyder kit. eyeing a t-56 now , probally go hypertetic, and afr heads ,something streetable cam whise.

[ben62670]

I grew up in a small town called Willimantic next to Uconn in Storrs. It used to be the biggest thread mill in the US. A bunch of Puerto Ricans moved there because they didn't need to speak English. So I saw plenty of Celicas, and RX7's, and RX2's in my days. I have never done donuts in any vehicle like an RX7. Those things can do such a tight donuts it feels like the Tea Cup ride in Disney World. I used to do them till the smoke was so thick I couldn't see where i was going. My friend and I used to go out into farm country, and find the steepest hills we could find, get up to the top, go in reverse as fast as I could, push in the clutch to go even faster, then I would redline it and dump the clutch in second gear. The thing would be going back wards so fast we could see the J strips in front of us. Ah to be young and dumb. That little 1198cc engine was the little engine that could. They are real tough, but extended high speed over 130 would prematurely wear out the output bushing at the rear of the tranny. Yeah we would have had a blast. I would like to do a dune buggy with one of those engines. No valve train to worry about. Only three major moving parts. I allways wanted to do the Marriah wide bodykit. I saw one, and it lookedlike an imsa car. Are you Puerto Rican?
Ben

[seeclear]

THE HOUSE SOLD!!! Well, pending the buyer getting their financing and all, but we are supposed to close on July 27. So, I guess I better start working on the wiring diagrams.

Anyone have any suggestions for electrical isolation of the Home Theater? Put all the components on the same breaker? 20 amp circuit enough, or should I make them put 30? I may at some point go with a pre- and separate amps, but for the time being the onkyo will be it. The parts--
Onkyo HT-R530 (110 w/ch 8 ohms, it is the AVR that comes in the HTS780 HTIB)
Polk CS 245i center
Polk R300's front
Polk R150's surrounds and rear surrounds
InFocus SP4805 with 80" screen
Gonna add that sonosub as soon as I can!;)

Really want to avoid those ground loops!:mad:



1--Wire and then setup the HT in our new house. IF we can ever get our current house sold. Anyone want to buy a SWEET vacation home in beautiful Florissant, Co?

2--Sonosub

:rolleyes:

[sucks2beme]

Finish modding the AMC cdp with new opamps.
Start restoring the PAS2 tube preamp I just picked up.
Clear out some old stuff. Amps and amps and amps to go!

On the homefront, I need to do some drywall work. NOT my favorite thing.