Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Speaker Repair/Restoration

This is topic Speaker Repair/Restoration in forum Film Handlers' Forum at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.

To visit this topic, use this URL:
https://ft-forum.com/ft/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=007335

Posted by Will Kutler (Member # 770) on 07-13-2005, 02:53 AM:

I have a question for y'all.

I recently (finally) acquired my "dream radio"...the legendary 1938 RCA 816 K. I have yet to begin restoration. There is a tear in the speaker cloth, and upon initial inspection noticed what I think is a speaker cone tear. I do believe that this is the origonal speaker, but am unsure. Is it repairable, or does it need replacing? What is the proper method for repairing a torn cone? If replacement is needed, are there any recommendations that would suit an authentic restoration? I do have to admit that I have yet to contact any of the antique radio parts suppliers, such as the one in Phoenix, AZ, for parts availability.

Thanks

K.

Posted by Phil Hill (Member # 371) on 07-13-2005, 03:26 AM:

IF the voice coil is not warped and /or scraping on the pole pieces and the spider is in good shape the cone can be repaired if not too heavily damaged.

Depending on where the damage is located, Duco is good for the "cone" while Pliobond, or some other flexible cement is great for the edges around the frame.

If a re-cone job is necessary, Google for antique speaker repair places... there are plenty of them.

Posted by Louis Bornwasser (Member # 3063) on 07-13-2005, 06:00 AM:

Will; the time honored method is Duco & toilet paper to patch a speaker, Since "black" is not available; please avoid pink!

Louis

Posted by Andy Summers (Member # 3207) on 07-13-2005, 06:03 AM:

Hallo there all

I have had edge foam surround rot on a few of my JBL control 5 monitors, and this presented the problem of bass not sounding correct due to decompressing or the air pressure within the enclosure escaping and the lowest bass notes sounding like an ole Vitaphone.

And since I repaired one by taking the edge rubber surround from another loudspeaker and cleaning-up the JBL control 5 this was for the centre channel and testing it with a spot frequency from 18Hz 32Hz 62Hz and 125Hz at different SPL levels, and making some small modifications due to a tiny gap that was leaking air it now sounds 100% like she was new from yesterday.

So what you describe is very doable and the cost is quite minimal too.

Good luck in the repair effort…