6 x WH8 MkIV build in 2 lots of 3. Completed.

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Grant Bunter
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6 x WH8 MkIV build in 2 lots of 3. Completed.

#1 Post by Grant Bunter »

I half thought I wouldn't bother with this thread, but a couple of nice folk asked me to...

I say this because, eac (Don) has got his CAD based W8 lites thread up at the moment and to me this build thread will be kinda redundant.

The W8 I'm building is all 1/2" ply. I bought a stack a while back for peanuts given ply prices here.
I had one full sheet of non structural grade radiata, plus a bunch of offcuts of structural grade radiata ply I got for $15/sheet. I was hoping I had just enough. I shouldn't have been worried. By the time I hooked into maximising every available scrap I had and getting the most out of it, I ended up with over half the non structural sheet left. That included the access panels for my T39's!

The last couple of days have been multi purposed. I've been working on my DR's, my 2 more T39's, and in my "spare" time, started to cut up for 3 x WH8's.
I have to say that my compound miter saw has been a godsend for all these cuts so far.
I don't have a bench saw, so being able to draw a line and cut on the above mentioned saw (and flipping it over, lining up and finishing cuts longer than 12 1/2") has saved me buckets of time, as compared to measuring the right distance, setting guides up etc, to complete cuts with circular saw.

This is a bit of a first for me in a BFM build. The other builds have started with a few cut to size panels then "measure as you go".
This build is precut, then final cut, then build.

If you are absolutely positive you can cut as per final measurements, you may save a bit of ply. I seem to be chopping a half inch off a good majority of the rough cuts, in most cases on length and width. It all adds up. Have a good look at the plans though.

Here we go:

A shot of three piles of blanks cut.
DSC03974.JPG

There's some unfinished business just to the left, but that's another thread :lol:

After the blanks were cut I started working my way through 3 sets of cutting everything to correct final size..

Starting at the beginning, with sides. I screwed each cabs sides together, drew up and cut both at the same time so they are identical on a cab to cab basis. Then did the ports.
Cab 1 done, all looking good:
DSC03975.JPG
Or so I thought.

It was only when I was drawing up the second cabs ports position I had a niggly feeling. Like something was wrong. Yep, given all the builds I've been doing lately, you'd think I would take more care reading the plans (especially after the DR mistake) and measuring twice and cutting once.
Turns out I had the 6 and the 7 the wrong way around!
All was not lost, I had a couple of exactly 15" left over pieces large enough to redo the sides for cab 1, because they were wrong :wall:
It did slow me down though. Simple mistakes argghhhhh.

The side on the left is wrong, it says so in bold pencil:
DSC03976.JPG
I got over that hurdle quick smart and moved along, cutting up everything to correct dimensions, and checking off three of each (or 3 x 2 if required) as I went along.

I got to the baffle. Hmm, can I do all three at once?
I screwed all three together and went for it. If it all messed up I had more ply.
I would like to have had time to do a template for the router, but, oh well.

A slab of baffles:
DSC03977.JPG
They turned out fine, just a little extra trimming and sanding/filing and they are good to go!

More cutting down to true size after that. After a full day on the saw and pencil and ruler, I'm about 3/4 of the way to having everything cut to size.
I'm going to have to wait for drivers to arrive to cut speaker spacer.

I have to hand it to Bill btw, all the angles in the plans are spot on...
Last edited by Grant Bunter on Sun May 22, 2022 8:17 pm, edited 4 times in total.
Built:
DR 250: x 2 melded array, 2x CD horn, March 2012 plans.
T39's: 4 x 20" KL3010LF , 2 x 28" 3012LF.
WH8: x 6 with melded array wired series/parallel.
Bunter's Audio and Lighting "like"s would be most appreciated...

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Bas Gooiker
Posts: 752
Joined: Fri Jul 06, 2012 5:05 pm

Re: 3 x WH8 build.

#2 Post by Bas Gooiker »

Your becomming quite the carpenter there Grant. Did your band suddenly make it big, or did you own a PA rig before?

Did you use a jigsaw to cut the baffles? I tried my bracing doing 2 screwed together, but the lower part of the blade seems to have a life of its own and the bottom brace cut looked rather nasty. :chainsaw:

Anyways, good luck with this build. Although following your other threads i guess you wont need it. :D
Life is just a game, don't take it to seriously!

Grant Bunter
Posts: 6915
Joined: Mon Nov 28, 2011 11:12 am
Location: Ilfracombe Queensland Australia
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Re: 3 x WH8 build.

#3 Post by Grant Bunter »

Bas Gooiker wrote:Your becomming quite the carpenter there Grant. Did your band suddenly make it big, or did you own a PA rig before?

Did you use a jigsaw to cut the baffles? I tried my bracing doing 2 screwed together, but the lower part of the blade seems to have a life of its own and the bottom brace cut looked rather nasty. :chainsaw:

Anyways, good luck with this build. Although following your other threads i guess you wont need it. :D
Bas,
I've always been interested in PA. I should have got into it in my late teens when I could have, but didn't. To much partying and far to many women...

Our band was somewhat of a catalyst. We are well known and respected in the area.
One of the other guys owns a small 2 x double 12/tweeter direct radiator and powered head PA system that I only ever put vocals through. I do sound for the band on stage as required.
Over the last 18 months or so there's been a few gigs where some of the guys are saying "I can't hear xyz".
The only way to go was slowly build PA.
I've had a small lighting rig for 20 years. Toss in assisting the local school with their drama and entertainment nights etc and I thought, "it's time".

Then I got asked to organise artists for the local festival here in October. There's very little medium size PA where I am, but ample opportunity to owner/operate one locally.
I thought if I did it right, it would pay for itself in no time, and the band get's it for free.
So I said, yep I'll organise artists and do PA. Hence the builds.
I'm ashamed at what they have said they will pay me. But I'll take it :)

As far as the carpentry goes, it's not new to me. Nor is metalwork.

Yes I did do the cutting out of the baffles with a jigsaw. I drilled some holes as blade access points and flipped the baffles over as most jigsaw blades don't cut straight.
After I pulled the screws out a finer blade and some sanding sorted them.
Some things you can't rush.

When I did my braces I screwed them together and used hole saws rather than jigsaw. Huge difference, done in a flash..

Thanks for the compliments.

It remains to be seen how they turn out...
Last edited by Grant Bunter on Tue Sep 18, 2012 4:25 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Built:
DR 250: x 2 melded array, 2x CD horn, March 2012 plans.
T39's: 4 x 20" KL3010LF , 2 x 28" 3012LF.
WH8: x 6 with melded array wired series/parallel.
Bunter's Audio and Lighting "like"s would be most appreciated...

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Bas Gooiker
Posts: 752
Joined: Fri Jul 06, 2012 5:05 pm

Re: 3 x WH8 build.

#4 Post by Bas Gooiker »

Grant Bunter wrote:To much partying and far to many women...
Yeah, i always hate when that happens... :loler: I remember partying and women ruinining the best years of my life too... :fruit: :lol: :fruit: :lol: :fruit:
Life is just a game, don't take it to seriously!

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JonoSkip
Posts: 77
Joined: Thu Nov 17, 2011 2:09 am
Location: Hamilton, NZ

Re: 3 x WH8 build.

#5 Post by JonoSkip »

Grant Bunter wrote:I half thought I wouldn't bother with this thread, but a couple of nice folk asked me to...
Peer presure can be a good thing :wink:
I have to say that my compound miter saw has been a godsend for all these cuts so far.
I don't have a bench saw
See, I didn't know that!

Thanks Grant :hyper:
Built: 2x Jack 112.
Bass: Cort Action A.
Amp: GenzBenz Streamliner 600.

Grant Bunter
Posts: 6915
Joined: Mon Nov 28, 2011 11:12 am
Location: Ilfracombe Queensland Australia
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Re: 3 x WH8 build.

#6 Post by Grant Bunter »

Did some time today cutting up the rest of the blanks.

So I'm around 6 hours in since the first pencil line for the three cabs. You cut a lot of scraps off in this build, my pile has trebled.
Not to mention the sawdust...

Just waiting on drivers to turn up before cutting the spacers, and I'll be ready to start assembly, as the rest of the main parts are ready to go.

The compound miter saw has been a great friend, I estimate it's already saved me 4 hours in cutting.

I did a search on the build threads. Not many (any?) recent W8 Mk4 build threads in evidence, so I'll make this thread a little more comprehensive than I thought.

Pics on the way soon.
Last edited by Grant Bunter on Fri Sep 28, 2012 1:51 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Built:
DR 250: x 2 melded array, 2x CD horn, March 2012 plans.
T39's: 4 x 20" KL3010LF , 2 x 28" 3012LF.
WH8: x 6 with melded array wired series/parallel.
Bunter's Audio and Lighting "like"s would be most appreciated...

Grant Bunter
Posts: 6915
Joined: Mon Nov 28, 2011 11:12 am
Location: Ilfracombe Queensland Australia
Contact:

Re: 3 x WH8 build.

#7 Post by Grant Bunter »

Another couple of hours and I have three stacks of:
DSC03980.JPG

I have been under the thumb for a few days with "chores" from SWMBO.
I had a spare hour this morning and drew some lines up etc.
Got one done anyway:
DSC03982.JPG
I had been worried about not having the driver spacer done. Checking on the plans, I can get to them later. I'll try to get all the rest of each cab done before the drivers arrive.
Last edited by Grant Bunter on Mon Mar 30, 2020 2:32 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Built:
DR 250: x 2 melded array, 2x CD horn, March 2012 plans.
T39's: 4 x 20" KL3010LF , 2 x 28" 3012LF.
WH8: x 6 with melded array wired series/parallel.
Bunter's Audio and Lighting "like"s would be most appreciated...

eac
Posts: 58
Joined: Mon Aug 06, 2012 7:27 pm

Re: 3 x WH8 build.

#8 Post by eac »

Looking good! The PITA part is done on that one....

Don

Grant Bunter
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Joined: Mon Nov 28, 2011 11:12 am
Location: Ilfracombe Queensland Australia
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Re: 3 x WH8 build.

#9 Post by Grant Bunter »

eac wrote:Looking good! The PITA part is done on that one....

Don
Cheers Don,
enjoying your builds as well :)

I only "struggled" with the mouth panels...
Built:
DR 250: x 2 melded array, 2x CD horn, March 2012 plans.
T39's: 4 x 20" KL3010LF , 2 x 28" 3012LF.
WH8: x 6 with melded array wired series/parallel.
Bunter's Audio and Lighting "like"s would be most appreciated...

Grant Bunter
Posts: 6915
Joined: Mon Nov 28, 2011 11:12 am
Location: Ilfracombe Queensland Australia
Contact:

Re: 3 x WH8 build.

#10 Post by Grant Bunter »

All three throats built:
DSC03985.JPG
So far I've built one "outside':
DSC03983.JPG
Driver spacer cut and after assembly:
DSC03984.JPG
You can see driver screws holding down the spacer until the PL sets.
This one has also been trimmed to fit the cab...
Last edited by Grant Bunter on Mon Mar 30, 2020 2:34 pm, edited 2 times in total.
Built:
DR 250: x 2 melded array, 2x CD horn, March 2012 plans.
T39's: 4 x 20" KL3010LF , 2 x 28" 3012LF.
WH8: x 6 with melded array wired series/parallel.
Bunter's Audio and Lighting "like"s would be most appreciated...

Grant Bunter
Posts: 6915
Joined: Mon Nov 28, 2011 11:12 am
Location: Ilfracombe Queensland Australia
Contact:

Re: 3 x WH8 build.

#11 Post by Grant Bunter »

Been a bit slow on this build given my deadline.
My passenger side rear wheel and axle decided they were leaving home last week, while I was driving! So chasing down towies and parts has been taking up my time. Damn couriers are effing me around as well.

Cab 1 is assembled and has been trimmed, bondo'ed and sanded and routed.
Horn of cab 1 painted.
Cab 2 shell is built.

3 x melded arrays built. I'm proud of this, not one error in cutting and they have turned out pretty damn good IMO.

Pics to follow soon.

Oh BTW, I didn't mention the driver spacer above was cut with a jigsaw.
All this practice means I'm starting to get things right...
Built:
DR 250: x 2 melded array, 2x CD horn, March 2012 plans.
T39's: 4 x 20" KL3010LF , 2 x 28" 3012LF.
WH8: x 6 with melded array wired series/parallel.
Bunter's Audio and Lighting "like"s would be most appreciated...

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Tom Smit
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Joined: Sat Jan 05, 2008 1:24 pm
Location: Sarnia, Ont. Canada

Re: 3 x WH8 build.

#12 Post by Tom Smit »

Grant Bunter wrote: All this practice means I'm starting to get things right...
:clap:

Sorry to hear about the car, though.
TomS

Grant Bunter
Posts: 6915
Joined: Mon Nov 28, 2011 11:12 am
Location: Ilfracombe Queensland Australia
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Re: 3 x WH8 build.

#13 Post by Grant Bunter »

Now that the DR's and T39's are finished.

WH8 1 is painted after doing the old school sockets for NL4's:
DSC03999.JPG
Just need to install driver, wire up filters, install piezos and done.

WH2 is ready to trim and fit and same as above.

WH3 is still a pile of cut up ply.

Here's a shot of a randomly selected melded array for the WH8's:
DSC03998.JPG
I'm very happy with these arrays....
Last edited by Grant Bunter on Mon Mar 30, 2020 2:36 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Built:
DR 250: x 2 melded array, 2x CD horn, March 2012 plans.
T39's: 4 x 20" KL3010LF , 2 x 28" 3012LF.
WH8: x 6 with melded array wired series/parallel.
Bunter's Audio and Lighting "like"s would be most appreciated...

Grant Bunter
Posts: 6915
Joined: Mon Nov 28, 2011 11:12 am
Location: Ilfracombe Queensland Australia
Contact:

Re: 3 x WH8 build.

#14 Post by Grant Bunter »

Today:

Array diffusers added and arrays painted with rattle tin, plum purple same as the arrays for my DR's.

Horn assembly of Cab 2 trimmed to fit and pet screen and spacer attached.

NL4 sockets put in Cab 1.

Progress is occuring...
Built:
DR 250: x 2 melded array, 2x CD horn, March 2012 plans.
T39's: 4 x 20" KL3010LF , 2 x 28" 3012LF.
WH8: x 6 with melded array wired series/parallel.
Bunter's Audio and Lighting "like"s would be most appreciated...

gzc_stageTech
Posts: 303
Joined: Thu Oct 05, 2006 7:31 pm
Location: Wichita, KS

Re: 3 x WH8 build.

#15 Post by gzc_stageTech »

Great build Grant. Wedgies look fantastic.

Chris

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