Cutting a large hole in the Otop12 baffle to install ..

[loudsubz]

Hurricane nuts? When I built my Otop12 I used regular #12 screws on the Delta Pro 12a. I feel it might not be strong enough over time to hold the heavy driver. I can easily add the hurricane nuts to 4 of the 8 existing holes, but there are 2 on the top and bottom of the baffle and only way to access is by slipping my finger under the small baffle hole. If I made another hole on the baffle to help me work in there would it affect anything?

This is a picture of the existing baffle I want to cut a hole into

[Jon Barnhardt]

Is that the right pic? I don't see anything as you describe...

[Bill Fitzmaurice]

Hurricane nuts? When I built my Otop12 I used regular #12 screws on the Delta Pro 12a. I feel it might not be strong enough over time to hold the heavy driver.

You have eight screws supporting 16 pounds, that's 2 pounds per screw. Nuts and bolts are only necessary when you have only 1/2 inch plywood holding them.

[loudsubz]

Hurricane nuts? When I built my Otop12 I used regular #12 screws on the Delta Pro 12a. I feel it might not be strong enough over time to hold the heavy driver.

You have eight screws supporting 16 pounds, that's 2 pounds per screw. Nuts and bolts are only necessary when you have only 1/2 inch plywood holding them.

Ok thanks for clarifying it. I was just concerned after some comments were made on my last Omnitop12 crossover pic and they noticed I had used screws to mount the Delta Pro 12a.

[Jon Barnhardt]

I used screws to mount lab12's in my t39 "turbo-builds" last fall. Still going after probably 30 hours of use...

Note: I wouldn't endorse this by any means, just putting it out there. For longevity, definitely use bolts for subs.

[loudsubz]

So its only recomended for subs to use hurricane bolts? I used a 3012lf with screws but it said in the plans you could use them with this driver. There was no mentione of hurricane nuts/bolts in the Omnitop12 build.

[Jon Barnhardt]

So its only recomended for subs to use hurricane bolts? I used a 3012lf with screws but it said in the plans you could use them with this driver. There was no mentione of hurricane nuts/bolts in the Omnitop12 build.

Personally, I wouldn't worry about it with the OT12. I've built a few of them and used screws for all so far. (mostly deltalite's) but there is a pair on the bench now that are getting delta 12's and they are going to be screwed...

[Bill Fitzmaurice]

There was no mentione of hurricane nuts/bolts in the Omnitop12 build.

Exactly.

[DJPhatman]

...but there is a pair on the bench now that are getting delta 12's and they are going to be screwed...

Now that's funny!

[DaveK]

I use 1/4" H or T nuts on the 4 holes you can reach and 1/4" lag bolts on the others. It's probably overkill once the driver gasket is compressed, but I've had the Recex screws tear out of 1" Arauco ply while tightening them to compress the gasket on a new driver.

[Bill Fitzmaurice]

I've had the Recex screws tear out of 1" Arauco ply while tightening them to compress the gasket on a new driver.

That much pressure can bend or even crack a frame. I take the screws tight, let the gasket compress for a half hour or so, then re-torque them before attaching the back, never with more torque than a standard screwdriver will provide. First generation Deltalite II had solid neoprene gaskets that were a PITA, as they'd take forever to fully compress, but those are history. Current Eminence gaskets are either solid cardboard or neoprene faced cardboard and don't take long to settle in.

[DaveK]

I had tear out with both 3012HO and 3015 gaskets on drivers bought this year. Gradual compression sounds like the way to go with Recex screws.