Modified 15" Passive Rings/Mortite/Armaflex/Replacing screws for my SDA's

[Toolfan66]

Well let me start with the Mortite vs Armafelx,last week I took out the mortite from my 1.2tl's I shared all this in Ray's thread. as I was taking out the drivers and passives I wasen't very happy with the 8-32 SHCS (socket head cap screws) on the drivers I didn't like the width of the head and found that in some areas it was pulling the slots on the baskets. the diameter of the head is about .268

Yes I could put a washer behind it but I don't like the look of it on the drivers I had done that with the passives (more on that in a moment) so took some 8-32 BHCS (button head cap screws) the same ones I would send with the rings for your tweeters and passives the diameter of the BHCS is about .305 and replaced all the socket head cap screws, I find that you get a better fit with these screws.

Back to the Mortite for a second I really feel that the Mortite puts unnecessary stress on the drivers even with the rings when keeping things tighened down nice and snug.

Today when I replaced all the SHCS for the BHCS I got to see how the Armaflex is looking after being pressed down for a few days, I will say that the Armaflex looked just like the original gaskets when you pulled a driver or passive.

The Armaflex alows you to snug down the drivers and passives with ease. if one needs to replace an old gasket this is the stuff to use it is that good.

Now on to the Passives and 15" rings, Again I did not like how the screws were fitting up to the passives, the 8-32 BHCS even with a washer wanted to pull in. I know that some of this was caused from trying to snug down the Mortite but IMO I found that the 8-32 screws to be a little small for the slots in the passives, the slots are bigger then the ones in the drivers.

So I picked up some 10-32 BHCS the diameter is about .353 also the 10-32 is much better looking for this job. I also picked up a 10-32 tap and a .293 drill bit.

I drilled through the 8-32 hardware that was in the rings then tapped them out to a 10-32 as soon as you start putting back in the passive you know this was the thing to do. with the use of the Armaflex and the 10-32 BHCS you can snug these down as much as you like without worring about opening up the slot.

If there was room on the drivers for a 10-32 BHCS I would replace them all but the rubber surround keeps you from doing so.

I will see if I can use the 10-32's on the passive rings of my 1C's.

In short Mortite Sucks and is horrible on your baskets and hardware, and I recommend swapping out your SHCS with BHCS you get a beeter fit and it grabs more of the basket when snugging it down..

Larry.

[Tony M]

Home Depot..here I come.

Armaflex

[brgman]

Great info Larry.i have all but the PR's done with your rings in a set of 2.3tl's getting modded.might as well cut to the chase and do it this way.thanks

[Toolfan66]

If you decide to tap out the 8-32's to a 10-32 thread in the passive rings be sure to put a little oil on the tap during the process and take your time.

[brgman]

If you decide to tap out the 8-32's to a 10-32 thread in the passive rings be sure to put a little oil on the tap during the process and take your time.

I sure will.I have access to lots of maintenance shops.I can get someone who does it all the time to fix me up.That way i don't destroy a good ring (or two)

[quadzilla]

Does that mean you'll be putting this change in the next batch of rings?

[Toolfan66]

Does that mean you'll be putting this change in the next batch of rings?

For the 15" rings yes I will be checking out some 10-32 hardware. I won't do anything with the 12" rings till I try out the 10-23 button head cap screws on my 1C's.

I will only be shipping out button head cap screws from here on out as I feel they are a better fit..

[evhudsons]

I just used armaflex for the first time yesterday on my friends 1c's. I'll be replacing my crs+ seals with armaflex tomorrow. Good stuff, easy to cut, molds just fine, and creates a really good seal on both sides.

[heiney9]

Never had an issue with Mortite and I continue to not have issues with Mortite.

H9

[schwarcw]

Never had an issue with Mortite and I continue to not have issues with Mortite.

H9

Ditto that. I believe both products work well. My leak test tells me the Mortite is working fine. If I ever had to pull some drivers . . . Well, I may give Armaflex a try. I wouldn't change it out, just to change it. I don't believe there would be anything gained.

[quadzilla]

For the 15" rings yes I will be checking out some 10-32 hardware. I won't do anything with the 12" rings till I try out the 10-23 button head cap screws on my 1C's.

I will only be shipping out button head cap screws from here on out as I feel they are a better fit..

Cool. Was mainly wondering if I would have to do the mod myself when I get some rings. Not sure I trust myself with a drill and taps yet. Without a benchpress to make sure the hole gets drilled properly, I'd be worried about ending up with a mess.

[evhudsons]

We don't have mortite on my island, but I did find some putty stuff that was packaged for trailer insulation and it seemed to be essentially identical, but it wasn't in rope form, so it was trickier to cut. It worked fantastic as a sealer, but I think I put a little too much on the drivers. It really put a suction type of seal so in that regard I think it may be superior to other sealers. The reason I am putting armacell on is simpy because I put too much on and it was uneven in places, and when I put it back together I simply think armacell is easier and worked really well. It's more of the lazy factor than anything else. I could reroll smaller amounts and have a great seal. On foam, it is sticky on one side. the putty is "sticky" on both sides. Now that I am writing this I think I just talked myself into not being so lazy and just do it right. I have one of the smallest speakers after all.

[Toolfan66]

I think you guys would be surprised by getting rid of Mortite and using Armaflex..

[heiney9]

I think you guys would be surprised by getting rid of Mortite and using Armaflex..

Surprised by what? So far most who don't care for Mortite complain about how it distorts driver baskets, is messy, messes up driver baskets, won't come off, etc. I have had none of those issues and I've disassembled my 5B's twice since installing it.

There are other alternatives for sure, but all these issues others are having just haven't manifested for me just short of two years use. When I finally get around this Fall to doing my 1C's I may use something different or perhaps brgman's gaskets he's having made, but not because Mortite doesn't work, just to try something different.

H9