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DR250 Three and Four

Posted: Tue Nov 01, 2011 5:00 pm
by Lastcat
Just a few pics of build #3 and #4. I had already finished #1 and #2 a few months ago, and decided to post some pics of 3 and 4. I have already built 4 of the DR200's and really wanted to see what the DR250's sounded like. What a difference. The DR200's are great and will work for smaller events. The DR250's just kicked things up a few notches. More Mid Bass, and more volume. If you have to decide between DR200 and DR250, go with the larger DR250.

I DJ for Schools and Wedding Receptions, and 4 DR250's will cover most events, especially for School Events, where the kids want "Volume".

I start out differently. I like the idea of putting the box together first, squaring that up, and just using a few brad nails to hold it together. Then I nail a few guide blocks, covered in plastic, to the top and bottom for the Horn assembly.

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Then just build the Horn assembly. I cut this to fit the boxes. Making sure to cut even amounts from both ends, so the Horn is centered to the box. Then once I have the Horn PL'ed and nailed, I then build the Baffle, using Birch for the Spacer. Then fit that to the box. Once everything lined up, I glued the Baffle to the Horn and Box. Viola!

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Then just pull the sides and back off. Then start with the internal bracing.

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Once I get all the bracing finished, then I add the 1/4" 3ply Sheaths. Notice the Grain is running from Top to Bottom. Doesn't take much to bend, no steam or water needed. I attached to the Horn first with Brad Nails, then just worked my way to the front.

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Then add the rear Reflectors. I used Loctite Power Grab, Molding and Paneling Adhesive. Just make sure the PVC is cleaned.

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Then add the Side Supports, and since I will be going a Full Back, I added the inner rings to mount the 1/8" curved Backs to.

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Then added the Sides.

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I used the method for Stacking in Bills Plans. I used a backer plate for a 1/4" x 20 Threaded Insert to the sides. Then I used Aluminum Plates to attach the Top Box to the Bottom Box. I also Sprayed Duratex, was faster for me. Mix the standard Duratex with water 2 Parts Duratex and 1 Part Water. I mounted Grills from Parts Express. Cheers!

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Oh, and a Big Thanks to Leland for all the Parts! :clap:

Re: DR250 Three and Four

Posted: Tue Nov 01, 2011 5:10 pm
by SoundInMotionDJ
Lastcat wrote:I start out differently. I like the idea of putting the box together first, squaring that up, and just using a few brad nails to hold it together. Then I nail a few guide blocks, covered in plastic, to the top and bottom for the Horn assembly.
Nice method. I considered the "build the box & fit the innards" approach when I was building, but decided that I was making enough changes as it was.

I like this approach because the box to box variations in outside dimensions can be removed as the boxes are built...before there is an enormous investment in the innards. As it stands, I have about a 1/4" difference in height from high to low across 10 cabinets. It does not alter the sound at all...but it still bugs me.

--Stan Graves

Re: DR250 Three and Four

Posted: Tue Nov 01, 2011 5:27 pm
by el_ingeniero
Super clean builds.

Re: DR250 Three and Four

Posted: Tue Nov 01, 2011 5:32 pm
by Lastcat
SoundInMotionDJ wrote: It does not alter the sound at all...but it still bugs me.

--Stan Graves
:loler:

Stan, I know what you mean. I am just too much of a perfectionist :slap: . I like the idea of making them all the same, whoa is me ..... :wall:

Re: DR250 Three and Four

Posted: Tue Nov 01, 2011 5:35 pm
by Lastcat
el_ingeniero wrote:Super clean builds.
Thanks el ingeniero :D .

DR's just sound great, though it takes more time to build, these last 2 took about a week and a half. If you follow steps, and just take your time, they are really worth building.

Re: DR250 Three and Four

Posted: Tue Nov 01, 2011 6:05 pm
by doncolga
That's just beautiful man.

Re: DR250 Three and Four

Posted: Tue Nov 01, 2011 6:57 pm
by BoostFab
WOW!!! excellent work!!!!
great idea on the square the box first.

Re: DR250 Three and Four

Posted: Tue Nov 01, 2011 9:05 pm
by Lastcat
Thanks Don, Boostfab.

So what do you think Donnie, DR250's in the near future? They would for sure rival the OT12's.

Re: DR250 Three and Four

Posted: Tue Nov 01, 2011 9:43 pm
by bassmonster
Beautiful cabs Lastcat. :clap: :clap: :clap:

Those look complicated! :shock: Great respect for you sir, I will never be able to build something like that.

Re: DR250 Three and Four

Posted: Tue Nov 01, 2011 10:01 pm
by Lastcat
bassmonster wrote:Beautiful cabs Lastcat. :clap: :clap: :clap:

Those look complicated! :shock: Great respect for you sir, I will never be able to build something like that.

Thanks bassmonster. Oh yes you can! You have a grasp of these cabinets, and you surely have the abilities.

Re: DR250 Three and Four

Posted: Tue Nov 01, 2011 11:21 pm
by NeilD321
Nice build Lastcat. :clap:

Re: DR250 Three and Four

Posted: Wed Nov 02, 2011 12:39 am
by sstillwell
Where did you get the backer plates and outer link plates? That's EXACTLY what I want to do with my DR200s...I don't think I can retrofit the backer plates once they're built, but I'd like to use the metal plates on the outside to link them.

Oh, and yeah...the grilles. I looked on Leland's site but didn't find them. Hoping they're available sized for DR200s as well.

Scott

Re: DR250 Three and Four

Posted: Wed Nov 02, 2011 12:50 am
by Gregory East
Nice work.

Your pics make them out to be unweildy mofos. I grew up on toting a 3/4" ply bass bin. A DR250 is a doddle to move. I can one hand carry mine thanks to Harley making them with Italian poplar, I'm not a big dude.

Re: DR250 Three and Four

Posted: Wed Nov 02, 2011 12:51 am
by Lastcat
sstillwell wrote:Where did you get the backer plates and outer link plates? That's EXACTLY what I want to do with my DR200s...I don't think I can retrofit the backer plates once they're built, but I'd like to use the metal plates on the outside to link them.

Oh, and yeah...the grilles. I looked on Leland's site but didn't find them. Hoping they're available sized for DR200s as well.

Scott
You can add the Brass Inserts after the build. Just drill a pilot and thread the insert onto a bolt and lock it down with a nut. Then screw them into the cabinet from the outside. I used just a small piece of Birch for more support on the backside.

The aluminum bars you can find at Homedepot or Lowes. Its 1/8" bars. Just have to cut them to size, and drill holes. Just make sure that both cabinets have the correct measurements for the placement of the inserts.

The grills are from Parts Express. They are sold as pairs. http://www.parts-express.com/pe/pshowde ... er=262-878

Re: DR250 Three and Four

Posted: Wed Nov 02, 2011 12:57 am
by Lastcat
Gregory East wrote:Nice work.

Your pics make them out to be unweildy mofos. I grew up on toting a 3/4" ply bass bin. A DR250 is a doddle to move. I can one hand carry mine thanks to Harley making them with Italian poplar, I'm not a big dude.
Thanks Greg. Ya, its a closeup pic :shock: . But, they come in at 42lbs each. I used to lug around an Acoustic 360, thing was a beast. Up 2 flights of stairs to get it back in the house at 3am, when I was 19, after 16 beers. Don't think I can do that today (the lugging part, not the beers..sheesh).

I wish I could have found Italian Popular. But, Fir sufficed.