BillFitzmaurice.info

OP, you have the concept down correctly.

PL does indeed span... it is reputed to span up to 1/4".
The strength of the box does not depend upon that solitary brace.
You can fill with PL, and let it work its magic.

For me, this sticks in my anal craw, big-time.
I cleat, so I feel better about myself at the end of the project.
And... that is why the Messiah will probably arrive before my T48s do...

And on the PL tube it states... PL Premium will bridge up to 3/8". I can understand aesthetic considerations but those ar n't in play here. If I'm not mistaken?

Bill Fitzmaurice wrote: More trouble than it's worth. PL and forget it.

+1

[== 7/26/2009 ==]

Welp! After thinking about it more, I just decided to PL it. I also used my gloved finger to smooth and push it into the gap from the top and bottom.

Forgot to mention, yesterday I glued in the panel 8/9 reflector using some more creative clamping techniques.

Went to Home Depot today checking out the stains. I also did some research online. Apparently the regular oil based MinWax stains I'm interested in don't look remotely close to how they do at the stores on the minwax sample. I was looking for a darker stain with a nice red tinge to it.

MinWax Red oak:
Appears to be less red

http://home.comcast.net/~bdosborn/eros/Eros.html
http://lumberjocks.com/gfixler/blog/8873







MinWax Red Mahogany #225
Better but still a little brownish

http://great-room-timber-truss.blogspot ... s-fir.html
http://www.flickr.com/photos/75211964@N00/2323257730 (with instructions how he did it)
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthre ... st10078468
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showpost ... tcount=100 (instructions for above)
http://archive.avsforum.com/avs-vb/show ... id=3613605
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showpost ... tcount=112









The MinWax PolyShades Bombay Mahogany looks almost perfect but I see mixed reviews online for it's application as its a two in one stain + poly finish.

MinWax PolyShades Bombay Mahogany:

minwax bombay mahogany:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthre ... st15751129
http://southernhospitality-rhoda.blogsp ... ister.html







In my hunts I found this gun forum that recommends Varathane Cabernet:
http://www.atheistnetwork.com/viewtopic ... 343f6b3676
http://www.htguide.com/forum/showpost.p ... count=1682

Myn,

If you really want red (or another color), do not screw around with stains, use aniline dyes.

http://www.homesteadfinishingproducts.c ... nsTint.htm

Scroll down. The TransTint dyes are alcohol soluble, so no grain raising (unlike water-based products). I have used them in the past, they work well.

Always, do test panels of the ENTIRE proposed finising process before you think of TOUCHING the THT with any dye or stain. The dyes look very bland, until a clearcoat is on top of them.

JSS

maxmercy wrote:
Always, do test panels of the ENTIRE proposed finising process before you think of TOUCHING the THT with any dye or stain. The dyes look very bland, until a clearcoat is on top of them.

JSS

+1. Whatever you use for the top coat will deepen the effect of the stain, and if it has color of it's own, like oil base varnishes, will change the color as well.

Hey Wi,

Bill said that the reflectors were added for more panel bracing, and that response is unchanged (I made my THT without the reflectors, too). He can give you an updated version of the plans....

So, how have the 8 THTs been holding up? A while back I thought you said you were going to build more THTs but all of them slimmer with LAB12s...is that still the plan?

To tell the truth, I cannot even begin to imagine the kinds of output you get with 8 of those things...I hope you wear ear protection.

JSS

WOW 8 THTS!!!!

Do you use them in your home theater, a real theater or DJing/band?

[== 7/28/2009 ==]

Both panel 6/9 braces installed. As mentioned previously, I filled the gap with PL. It appears to be a pretty darn solid joint! The final panel (10) will be installed tommorow. Than comes the bracing and other side installation.

I was told Walmart sold Varathane. I popped in after work today and couldn't find anything but minwax stain.

Ace Hardware. Varathane's wiping stains are great btw. Far better than Minway imho.

LelandCrooks wrote:Ace Hardware. Varathane's wiping stains are great btw. Far better than Minway imho.

Excellent info .. Thanks Leland.

Myn, for attaching the other side, use registration posts. Basically, dry fit the other side and clamp it. Into two (or all four) of the corners, drill a 1/8" hole through the side into the panel below. Unclamp and take off the side, and insert 1/8" diameter roll pins into the holes, and hammer them in so that only about 1/8" is sticking out. When it comes time to glue on the side, the side will register in perfectly and you won't be having problems with the side slipping and sliding around as you try to align it and clamp it... The posts slide right into the holes, perfect alignment, just clamp, and peace out.

It also helps to have that side a bit oversized, you can flush cut it with a router later...

JSS

maxmercy wrote:Myn, for attaching the other side, use registration posts. Basically, dry fit the other side and clamp it. Into two (or all four) of the corners, drill a 1/8" hole through the side into the panel below. Unclamp and take off the side, and insert 1/8" diameter roll pins into the holes, and hammer them in so that only about 1/8" is sticking out. When it comes time to glue on the side, the side will register in perfectly and you won't be having problems with the side slipping and sliding around as you try to align it and clamp it... The posts slide right into the holes, perfect alignment, just clamp, and peace out.

It also helps to have that side a bit oversized, you can flush cut it with a router later...

+1. I did the same thing with screws on my T39's, but the post idea is a great one to avoid having to fill countersunk screw holes since you're staining.

Thanks Max.

I actually take a very similar approach. Besides mounting vertical and horizontal straight edges I also predrill once it's clamped up. I remove the panel and than screw in the screws with the point showing about 1/8th of an inch. Glue it up and then realign sitting the screws ontop of the predrilled holes in the panel you want to fasten. Tighten screws and done.

I really like the post idea though. Like the previous poster stated, no screw holes to fill

[== 7/31/2009 ==]

I installed Panel 10 today. It' is noticeably warped on the top side opposite of where I glued today, even to the naked eye. Tomorrow I'm going to install the panel 9/10 Reflector and see if my precut (36x36) opposite side panel fits. I have a feeling I may need to either do some mass clamping/squishing on the sides or perhaps recut out the side panel for it to fit.

Tommorow I'm going to Ace Hardware too to check out the Varathane Cabrenet. I am thinking about doing the same think MaxMercy did with his, using duratex in the mouth area and stain everywhere else.

When's the best time to Duratex the mouth area? After the vertical mouth braces are installed but before the other side panel is glued?

Whats the cheapest place to get Duratex roller grade?