TLAH Pro - CNC Build

[GirlyHandedDog]

Wow, just wow!

Thanks ripNdeb!

Tall son'bitches.

Agreed. Warning! Objects in the picture are larger than they appear.

Okay so now I really want a cnc router. Where can I get plans?

There's quite a few sets of plans out there. I personally went with the Joe's CNC router plans, which are for a 4x4 table... I'm expanding it so it can route just over 4x8. http://www.joescnc.com/.

Just a heads up, plans for CNC aren't as detailed as Bill's speaker plans! They require a bit of understanding/familiarity with mechanics and electronics. If you're up for it, the Joes CNC or the MechMate router plans are both quite good.

Definitely overkill for building speakers, but still fun nonetheless!

[el_ingeniero]

How much dod you invest in your CNC rig? That's a helluva nice toy!

[Scott Brochu]

CNC almost takes the fun out of making them.


Well.......I still would love to own one.
Great looking build.
Does it take a long time to set one of those things up?

[GirlyHandedDog]

How much dod you invest in your CNC rig? That's a helluva nice toy!

So far, about $7k. A lot less than buying a pre-fab'd one.

CNC almost takes the fun out of making them.
Does it take a long time to set one of those things up?

It's not too bad, as long as you're familiar with CAD or vector software apps. Especially with the tlah pieces being a lot less complex than something like a DR.

Or are you refering to building the router? If so, a few months, depending on how much time you spend each day.

[67baja]

Okay, so what is the latest progress? I am impatiently watching this thread to see the final product and to hear the reviews of the speakers awesomeness.

[gdougherty]

Bummer you didn't go for the Beta 8. At $5/driver it's a cheap upgrade. Beta8 would easily be capable of around ~136db of output without exceeding RMS power. 3 tweeters per driver should keep up in sensitivity and power handling wired 8x3 with a 3ohm load.

That's crazy. And they'd still come in under $1100 for the components. Have to upgrade the crossover components though to handle ~2000W.

[GirlyHandedDog]

Okay, so what is the latest progress? I am impatiently watching this thread to see the final product and to hear the reviews of the speakers awesomeness.

Still trying to get the finish done on the cabinets. When I routed them, I did it a bit too fast which resulted in some splintering around some of the driver cutouts. At least it's the weekend... time to break out the bondo.

Bummer you didn't go for the Beta 8. At $5/driver it's a cheap upgrade. Beta8 would easily be capable of around ~136db of output without exceeding RMS power. 3 tweeters per driver should keep up in sensitivity and power handling wired 8x3 with a 3ohm load.

That's crazy. And they'd still come in under $1100 for the components. Have to upgrade the crossover components though to handle ~2000W.

Thought about it when I ordered the drivers, but didn't like the impedance plots as much as the alpha 8. Although the power handling is higher, the usable frequency range in the low-end isn't as good. If I used the beta 8's I'd be good down to around 75 Hz... whereas with the alpha 8's I'll be good down to around 60ish. Just enough difference to prevent me from lugging subwoofers to acoustic gigs.

[DJPhatman]

Just enough difference to prevent me from lugging subwoofers to acoustic gigs.

But, aren't those TLAH Pro kind of huge for acoustic gigs? Seems to me a pair of Jacks would make more sense for a compact, all-in-one, no subs, acoustic gig.

[gdougherty]

Just enough difference to prevent me from lugging subwoofers to acoustic gigs.

But, aren't those TLAH Pro kind of huge for acoustic gigs? Seems to me a pair of Jacks would make more sense for a compact, all-in-one, no subs, acoustic gig.

Given their output capability it's an acoustic gig for a thousand people.

[GirlyHandedDog]

Just enough difference to prevent me from lugging subwoofers to acoustic gigs.

But, aren't those TLAH Pro kind of huge for acoustic gigs? Seems to me a pair of Jacks would make more sense for a compact, all-in-one, no subs, acoustic gig.

Yeah, you're probably right. I wish I had all of Bill's designs built and could use the most appropriate model at each gig. Thus far I don't and will stick with the TLAHs for now. I've also got all of the components purchased for some DR250's...Those are next!

[GirlyHandedDog]

After fixing a flat tire and soldering a leaky water main to my house, I was able to find some one-on-one time with some sand paper and paint. Prep'd and ready to paint:


A base coat of white:



I wanted to do a natural finish on the baltic birch, but since I routed the pieces too fast and had to use some bondo for patching, that's no longer a possibility. Still trying to figure out what to do as I'm not going to break out the duratex for these. I've got a few ideas.

[bassmonster]

Those really look good. Killer painting booth (or whatever it's called) too. Nice work.

[wallywally]

I'm very envious of the tools (toys) you have accumulated Very nice work!

[el_ingeniero]

I wanted to do a natural finish on the baltic birch, but since I routed the pieces too fast and had to use some bondo for patching, that's no longer a possibility. Still trying to figure out what to do as I'm not going to break out the duratex for these. I've got a few ideas.

Piano finish. You almost certainly have everything required.

[GirlyHandedDog]

I'm very envious of the tools (toys) you have accumulated Very nice work!

I've got a few tools and toys, but unfortunately the paint booth belongs to my employer. I could probably find another job that pays better than the one I have, but the tools/stuff they have make it difficult to leave.

Piano finish. You almost certainly have everything required.

Just missing the most important component... patience!

I really like the tobacco sunburst finish that you see on a lot of Fender Stratocasters and Gibson Les Pauls. I'm going to give it a go and see if I can accomplish something like that. I'm not too worried about durability of the finish. Between you, me, and the lampost these TLAHs will be on either side of my TV for a vast majority of their life