Jack 15 Lite Build

[Benflitv30]

Finally getting around to building this cabinet since inquiring here a long bit ago about it being the best single cab for tailgating purposes.

Firstly, I am humbled by my woodworking skills, or lack thereof. Have only built the 36” THT and general vented MDF car audio style cabs in the past. I understood the difficulty rating was higher than other designs Bill has, but you don’t grow in your comfort zone.

The hardest part has been forming the throat sheaths followed by the horn sheaths as witnessed by all my missed staple shots. I used my commercial steamer to try and pre-form the panels (verified grain/flex direction) before installation which seemed to help a lot.

Side note - I do think I need to invest in a better table saw fence, framing square, and tape measure.

[Bill Fitzmaurice]

[Benflitv30]

- I did scratch my head on getting the woofer centered just right on the woofer spacers, measuring many times and adjusting. Still not perfect, as seen in horn facing photo. The bottom right corner of baffle/woofer, there is more surround showing. Any advice with this part? Thank you!
- On the next build, I think it’d help me to draw out the lines on the sides and baffle for the horn braces before assembling the sides and top of cab.
- Cutting the foam ball for the dome extension with a ‘hot knife’ designed for foam made it a breeze versus using a saw of sorts.

[Bill Fitzmaurice]

The driver doesn't need to be perfectly centered, so long as the gasket seals all around and the screws aren't close to the edge of the spacer. Put it place, mark through the frame holes to be sure before finalizing the position.

[Benflitv30]

Thank you, Bill. I didn’t know if it would change much in ‘compression’/ linearity of the woofer being off center of that phase plug extension.

Is there any tip on how to form and fasten the sheaths easier? Just lots of clamps? Haha.

Going to do one of the PE/Dayton amp modules for this cab. The one I’m looking at has DSP. Is there a low cost of entry way to measure response to determine where to make EQ adjustments? Any predetermined range where the J15L likely would need adjustment for outdoor use?
Link to amp here -
https://www.parts-express.com/Dayton-Au ... SP-325-434

[Bill Fitzmaurice]

This is adequate for non-critical measurements: https://play.google.com/store/apps/deta ... yzer&pli=1

[Keryn O'Shea]

..I am humbled by my woodworking skills, or lack thereof..

Looks like you're doing an excellent job on a cracking cab mate!

Have only built the 36” THT

Only..

..you don’t grow in your comfort zone.

Absolutely
This is for bass, yea? No HF?

[9830Lark]

Is there any tip on how to form and fasten the sheaths easier? Just lots of clamps? Haha.

I used a laser engraver to 'score' the smaller ones so they'd bend easier. Worked great.

https://billfitzmaurice.info/forum/view ... 66#p291266

[Strange Kevin]

At least for the side sheathing, I remember a couple well placed ratchet straps can help hold em in place.
Also might try leaving the sheathing in a 5 gallon bucket or similar overnight to get some pre-bend into the wood so you're not fighting it as much when you go to install them.

[howiez]

Looking great!

[Benflitv30]

This is adequate for non-critical measurements: https://play.google.com/store/apps/deta ... yzer&pli=1

Thank you, Bill!

[Benflitv30]

..I am humbled by my woodworking skills, or lack thereof..

Looks like you're doing an excellent job on a cracking cab mate!

Have only built the 36” THT

Only..

..you don’t grow in your comfort zone.

Absolutely
This is for bass, yea? No HF?

I appreciate the kind words. I love the big THT. I don’t have a sliding or French doors in this house which made it a fun time with the door trim getting it inside. Haha!!

This Jack15L will have the 20 melded tweeter array. Going to put the 3-way switch on the tweeters for versatility in listening environments. All those tweeters I’m sure will come in handy on a boating day out on a wide open sandbar. Otherwise will be used for tailgating at games and bbq’s etc.

[Benflitv30]

Is there any tip on how to form and fasten the sheaths easier? Just lots of clamps? Haha.

I used a laser engraver to 'score' the smaller ones so they'd bend easier. Worked great.

https://billfitzmaurice.info/forum/view ... 66#p291266

That’s a great tip. Basically kerfing the panel. Thank you.

[Benflitv30]

At least for the side sheathing, I remember a couple well placed ratchet straps can help hold em in place.
Also might try leaving the sheathing in a 5 gallon bucket or similar overnight to get some pre-bend into the wood so you're not fighting it as much when you go to install them.

Do you mean strapping the panel to the outside of a 5 gallon bucket? That makes sense to me.

I followed the plans with the wood grain going in the right direction along with the wax papered brace against the baffle holding the horn and throat sheaths tightly to allow bending. It just seemed much harder to bend than I expected, especially the throat sheaths being that they are smaller.

[Benflitv30]

Looking great!

Thank you!