BillFitzmaurice.info

Ok...this is my official start to my Otop 12's. Just need one more sheet of BB and my two kits. How many hours would you all guestimate this would likely take? I have no bookings next weekend, so I'd really like to knock out the pair then. Should that be doable over a Friday-Sunday?

All depends on your tools and capability. With my table saw, router, sanders and nail gun, I could probably build some basic Omni Tops in an 4-6 hours, with another 4-6 hours to finish off (corners, hats, paint, driver, foam, wiring). Doing the piezo array is an overnight job though as you need the adhesive to dry/set. This also depends on whether you are a perfectionist! I certainly aren't.

Friday to Sunday if you are doing both at once sounds feasible - but be warned, if you've never built them before, you risk duplicating mistakes!

Get a buddy so cokes in the cooler (beer cooler for the end of the night) and have some Burgers and Dogs to keep ya goin and should not be too bad.

As for the Baffle plate are you doing old design (slot loaded) or new design (Phase Plug). The new ones I could see taking a bit of time for that. Might ask Leland to CNC you a couple and then should be no problem. He was selling the Jack ones I think.

Start early (but rested) take your time and have fun. They sound really good.

with actual dedication (who has that lol) I'd say you could have a pair of otops up and running in 4 hours easy (assuming you do the piezio array in a time slot not included in that). I believe it was wi who said he could build at THT in something like 4 hours, and the OTops are way easier than that.

sine143 wrote:with actual dedication (who has that lol) I'd say you could have a pair of otops up and running in 4 hours easy (assuming you do the piezio array in a time slot not included in that). I believe it was wi who said he could build at THT in something like 4 hours, and the OTops are way easier than that.

I'll probably give it a whirl this coming Friday on #1, then see how we go from there. I've sold my current tops and have cleaned up my old EV 15" tops to hold me over in case I can't get them done. My first December gig is December 9, so I have one weekend. If my EV's are OK, I may just gig with them this month, that way I can take my time on the OTops....I'm leaning in that direction. Then of course I could sell my EV tops after that, and hope to have yet another set of tops and another amp or two to sell...that would be great....might even fund another two Tubas.

OT12s were my second build. The first two took me months to finish

The third one I built took me about 4 hours to build the cabinet itself. I still haven't finished (or even ordered the piezos) the array... but my outdoor gigs I was building the big setup for got cancelled. Stupid economy.

Don't rush them too much, but try to get the carcass done in a day. It's important to make sure everything is square. It's easy to get it out of alignment - and building it quickly allows you to make adjustments before the glue is completely set.

building quantities we've found it most efficient to assemble each basic part all at once, then assemble the system like a kit:
-all wiring cut and terminated as needed ready to go
-jack cups/connectors
-xovers
-arrays
-finished cabs

you can definitely get your 2 OT12s done over the weekend if you have all the glues, paints, damping, screws etc. you need in advance of assembly..

and they sound incredible..
my .02

i never understand these timescales. I feel like I work quickly, but i must stand around in a coma or something because it always takes me ages to get each panel done! maybe its a size issue, since my TAT build went reallt fast compared to everything else ive made. I keep meaning to try a couple of ot12s since i have a couple of delta pro12s lying around waiting for me to put them in dr280s!

As always its never the actual putting together of the items that takes time, its searching for the crap that isnt right at hand that adds time. Take an hour to gather anything and everything you need right in arms reach and make sure you dont run out of anything. These are the time killers it seems. I've only done a a few Jack 12's and a Tuba 30 but i would venture to say that I'd be able to get them done in the time you specified.

mems wrote:As always its never the actual putting together of the items that takes time, its searching for the crap that isnt right at hand that adds time. Take an hour to gather anything and everything you need right in arms reach and make sure you dont run out of anything. These are the time killers it seems. I've only done a a few Jack 12's and a Tuba 30 but i would venture to say that I'd be able to get them done in the time you specified.

+1 probably spent 4 hours building my first t48 and 4 hours searching for the damn nail gun.

My Otop 2X12's took me about 4 hrs. each not including the piezo array's and finish...but my Titan build was forever It was my fault because I way overbuilt them with cleats, biscuits, dados, custom handles and rear castors...all of which took more time then I anticipated.

in 4hours i'd probably get the baffle and spacer ring done.

Dave Non-Zero wrote:in 4hours i'd probably get the baffle and spacer ring done.

In a four hour period I spend one cumulative hour trying to find the pencil I put down thirty seconds before.
Memory is the second thing to go.
I forget what the first is.

I'm selling a ton of my gear (of course buying a ton too), so I hope to get my two kits ordered tomorrow and have them my Friday?...along with a sheet of BB. I have read, reread and reread the plans, so hopefully I'll move pretty quick. It would be so awesome to have a set of these by Sunday night.

make sure you order early tmrw morning! shipping time is gonna be tight haha.