BillFitzmaurice.info

Hope so too, Preston.

More progress on Cab #1 this past weekend. Dry fitting everything, drilling holes, and sinking screws.

In the slim width, the instructions are to cut panel 1 into two pieces...This had me quite worried at first as this only leaves but a sliver of panel 1 with which to attach panels 2 & 5, all the while trying to keep things absolutely square.

This is where the panel-cornering jig feature of the MFT saved my butt. Locking everything down to the table, it was no big deal to sink screws into that small piece. Once attached to a larger piece, it could be placed back up to where it needed be with much less fuss. At the end of the day it was only 1mm out of square over the entire 14" width, without the second side in place.

Sharp eyes will also notice how perilously close I came to blowing that first round of screws in the corner jig through the outer layer of panel 5, as I forgot to add an 1/8" to my combination square (my typical overhang allowance) when striking that first layout line . You can actually feel the shanks through the veneer. Too damn close.

I've got some little triangles to measure and cut that will be used to block off the space to each side of the handholds, situated behind the reflectors. While I'm not too keen on permanently enclosing those spaces for now, I definitely don't like the possibility of people or critters stuffing shit into those areas at some point in the future.

Turning out really nice!

I like to hide snacks in those special hiding places, for when this roadie gets the munchies!

I could see a creepy critter making a home in there

The build is looking real good. I built my first munch of cabs by winging it and just forcing fitment in the moment, always got the edges to line up but out of square af. The last few I have done I did a little bit more test fitting with clamps and screws. I have been much more successful as I can identify issues and resolve them before it is too late, a little Adderall helps in this department. The age old tail, a little extra prep work leads to far less headaches down the road.

Radian, I always admire your aim at precision as well as your patience and detail.

After dry fit, some more fabrication was required for the mouth braces and hand holds before finally laying down adhesive. Just like my Auto Tuba build, all the interior surfaces that wouldn't be seeing exterior treatment received a coat of polyurethane. Extra work I know, but I like the long term peace of mind. Cab #1 is all buttoned down as of yesterday. Pulled 2/3'rd of the screws today and trimmed some PL squeeze out where it was cosmetic. Finish routing, grills/mounts, access panel and speaker hardware/wiring to follow...in addition to paint.

The long visual lines play with the eyes. Gives off the illusion that the cab is just a "thin slice" perhaps, but even at the slim width (of ~15") the T48 design is still quite daunting in-person. Four of these are going to be straight-up menacing.

Pressing onwards to Cab #2.

Cab #2 in the final stage of dry-fit. Paired up with cab #1 for a photo-op. Finally at that tipping point in the project where the bulk of the fabrication of is done (awaiting driver access panels that is). Primary assembly is trucking along steady, then it'll be onto finishing/paint, final assembly, and testing. Woot!

Such attention to detail mate, wicked build!

Great build !

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Damn Radian, it's refreshing to see the accuracy and attention to detail of a well thought out build. Your efforts will pay off with the finished product. Not only in aesthetics, but reaching the full potential of these cabs.

Great work!

Finally made some long overdue progress on assembling #3 these past couple months, since the completion of the Tuba18 build.

I wanted to whip through the panel placement and assembly on cabs #3 & #4 with the minimum amount of misalignment, so with a little forethought and access to the folks in the sheetmetal department, we pressed out a pair of jigs that were used to pin the ends of the panels together until the PL cured. I wish I had these back in the day when I built the Auto Tubas.

If using the screw method of assembly, staking these corners and use of a sharp-jawed spring clamp placed as shown also helps immensely. Cured PL already trimmed off.

Closeups of the hand hold pockets, which will be routed out later with a jig.

Using PL in the high desert (ie low humidity) can test one's resolve. In the Midwest, at low altitude the stuff cured right away. Up here, I've experienced variability between 3, and upwards of 7, days for a full cure all dependent on relative humidity and temperature. Misting or wiping with a moistened sponge prior to glue up really speeds things along, but even then I have to rely on the color/finger nail poke check. Too much agua, and the stuff will start to cure before you can get everything situated. Let the water evaporate over a coffee break, and it'll take its sweet time.

3 days with the perfect amount of water, notice the darker brown / greenish color. It's almost rock hard: 3 days, but with not enough water. It'll still get there, but it'll take a few more days. Lighter in color and a fingernail can still dent it: