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Tannoy Westminster Build.

S

Simonms

Registered user
Hi Pinkfishers,

I thought I would start a thread for anyone interested in my latest build.
After finishing some big heritage Klipsch using my originals as a source for a direct copy I went about looking for another project and ran across a few threads on Westminsters so started drawing up a battle plan.
Forty sheets of A1 tracing paper later I had my plans fine tuned and a cut list-
3 sheets of 26mm and 4 sheets of 18mm 8x4!

It arrived and I began cutting to size with the Felder table saw.A day later all home too my studio for veneering (workshop was a little too cold for the veneer glue).

Here are some veneered panels.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/48329457@N06/6836831799/in/set-72157629218661725

http://www.flickr.com/photos/48329457@N06/6836794537/in/set-72157629218661725

I did not want anything too flashy for the veneer so went with a good quality crown cut oak and went about researching the finishing products from oils to waxes too water based polys and came across Osmo polyx, a natural oil/wax that dries very hard so very protective. It will have a satin finish when polished. I am not really a fan of highly polished speakers so this was perfect. It was not cheap though.

After a lot of vacuum pressing veneer-a lot of the panels need to be veneered on both sides as the back loaded horn design meant they would be visable without the grills, even 6mm of overlap was done-I just veneered the entire side to keep measurement absolutely plumb.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/48329457@N06/6836859511/in/set-72157629218661725

Here are the Drive units-3836's that will be converted to 3839's by the ever helpful Lockwood.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/48329457@N06/6836835599/in/set-72157629218661725

http://www.flickr.com/photos/48329457@N06/6836869885/in/set-72157629218661725

I want these speakers to be built with no expense spared so all internal bracing is solid oak baton with brass countersunk screws. Accurate measurements needed for mm perfect joins.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/48329457@N06/6836781927/in/set-72157629218661725

http://www.flickr.com/photos/48329457@N06/6836854153/in/set-72157629218661725

http://www.flickr.com/photos/48329457@N06/6836770083/in/set-72157629218661725

http://www.flickr.com/photos/48329457@N06/6836773979/in/set-72157629218661725

http://www.flickr.com/photos/48329457@N06/6836799927/in/set-72157629218661725

Here is the top bottom and internal sides dry fitted-not small-

http://www.flickr.com/photos/48329457@N06/6836864577/in/set-72157629218661725

After more researched I asked Nick Gorham to build the external cross overs so built solid oak boxes with 6mm brass tops...they are with Nick at the moment so will post some pics on there return.
I have put one of two coats of polyx oil on to all external panels.

Tops-
http://www.flickr.com/photos/48329457@N06/6836826761/in/set-72157629218661725
With and without finish-
http://www.flickr.com/photos/48329457@N06/6836819037/in/set-72157629218661725

Lots of parts-
http://www.flickr.com/photos/48329457@N06/6836831799/in/set-72157629218661725

So this is where I am at present, I will continue to post as i build. I hope to have all panels back in the workshop on Saturday to begin domino jointing and routing the driver ports which could be tricky as they have a bevel at about 40 degrees and are not perfectly circular.

Thanks for looking Si.
 
That's a lot of parts...

Looks like it is going to be a great project. Can't wait to see how it turns out. Keep those pictures coming and good luck.
 
Superb stuff. I am so envious of those with the skills and aptitude to make such things. I'd love to rehouse my Monitor Golds at some point, though R-GRFs is about the largest I could manage.
 
Hi folks,

Here is an update of my build for all who may be interested. All panels now in the workshop and weather is more favorable so internal panels all routed out-lots of jigs and prep. Biscuits were easily strong enough for the joining the channels and the front baffle has been cut and will be beveled at 11 degrees to offer itself into the front horn.
All internal parts are now fixed and i am glad i veneered the large panels forming the horn channels as it looks a lot neater.(a lot of extra veneering but looks nice).
The baffle boards are built with 3 separately routed pieces-the back craddles the driver and built from 9mm mdf and cut to the full diameter of the driver, the middle piece is 4mm birch and used to raise the front 19mm veneered mdf above the rubber surround of the driver. The driver will be held in place with 4 M8 screw nuts that will channel into the front horn.

There are still a lot of panels to be attached to this already heavy speaker so they are not going to be light! The careful choice of veneer is paying off as each speaker looks very similar in appearance- the trick will be in book matching the front horn but i will cross that bridge when i come to it.

Time for a beer!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/48329457@N06/6797920202/in/photostream

http://www.flickr.com/photos/48329457@N06/6797919792/in/set-72157629490303717/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/48329457@N06/6944032629/in/set-72157629490303717/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/48329457@N06/6797918858/in/set-72157629490303717/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/48329457@N06/6797918316/in/set-72157629490303717/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/48329457@N06/6797917994/in/set-72157629490303717/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/48329457@N06/6944030927/in/set-72157629490303717/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/48329457@N06/6944030579/in/set-72157629490303717/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/48329457@N06/6797916252/in/set-72157629490303717/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/48329457@N06/6944028841/in/set-72157629490303717/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/48329457@N06/6944028007/in/set-72157629490303717/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/48329457@N06/6944026739/in/set-72157629490303717/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/48329457@N06/6944025277/in/set-72157629490303717/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/48329457@N06/6797911310/in/set-72157629490303717/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/48329457@N06/6944023677/in/set-72157629490303717/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/48329457@N06/6797909094/in/set-72157629490303717/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/48329457@N06/6797908604/in/set-72157629490303717/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/48329457@N06/6944021673/in/set-72157629490303717/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/48329457@N06/6797906540/in/set-72157629490303717/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/48329457@N06/6944019801/in/set-72157629490303717/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/48329457@N06/6797905768/in/set-72157629490303717/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/48329457@N06/6944017175/in/set-72157629490303717/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/48329457@N06/6797901724/in/set-72157629490303717/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/48329457@N06/6944014625/in/set-72157629490303717/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/48329457@N06/6944013213/in/set-72157629490303717/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/48329457@N06/6944011635/in/set-72157629490303717/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/48329457@N06/6944011135/in/set-72157629490303717/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/48329457@N06/6944010285/in/set-72157629490303717/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/48329457@N06/6944009863/in/set-72157629490303717/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/48329457@N06/6797895674/in/set-72157629490303717/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/48329457@N06/6797895088/in/set-72157629490303717/
 
Hi

Congratulations on taking on what is one of the most complex of DIY speaker builds.

It really is a strangely shaped internal horn, the westminster.. You must have faith in your abilities.

Keep showing the photos - nb - the insert image tab at the top, will allow the pictures to pop up in your posts, rather than just hyperlinks.

Keep it up :)
 
Here is an update on the build, a few changes in construction have been used.
The sides of the front horn area have been fixed and veneered, on the originals the grain on this area moves from drive unit to front of speaker but i preferred the grain moving from top to bottom so thats what i did. I am really happy that i have managed to get a seamless join where the sides of the horn meet the flush front as i did not want to put a molding around this area.
The cross overs are built but am un happy with the boxes they are in so am re designing them-no pics yet i'm afraid, the copper tops that measure 20x25cm were £30 each (3mm thick).
I have ordered all the oak to form the decorative moldings which will be machined next week so more to come....hoping to have them home for Easter.


DSCN0544 by simon ms, on Flickr


DSCN0542 by simon ms, on Flickr


DSCN0541 by simon ms, on Flickr


DSCN0540 by simon ms, on Flickr


DSCN0538 by simon ms, on Flickr


DSCN0539 by simon ms, on Flickr


DSCN0535 by simon ms, on Flickr


DSCN0533 by simon ms, on Flickr


DSCN0532 by simon ms, on Flickr


DSCN0531 by simon ms, on Flickr


DSCN0526 by simon ms, on Flickr


DSCN0525 by simon ms, on Flickr


DSCN0523 by simon ms, on Flickr
 
Hi folks,

Thanks for the comments ,here are the external cross overs, I am not happy with the boxes so am going to re make them this weekend, very hard to achieve perfect mitres so will try through the table saw or a router to see if that gives better results.
The tops will sit inside the rebate and are made of 3.1mm copper.

Many Thanks to Nick Gorham for his help with these.


DSCN1434 by simon ms, on Flickr


DSCN1436 by simon ms, on Flickr


DSCN1437 by simon ms, on Flickr

Cheers Si.
 
Simonms said:
Oh Bottleneck, thanks-your horns are looking mightily impressive!
Click to expand...


Thanks Simon - and congratulations on such an impressive build. Westminsters - going straight for the top Tannoy dog, good for you!

NB
I had an interesting time comparing air core and iron core inductors on the bass cone when I knocked my crossover together. If you have a few quid spare at the end, you might like to try both. They sound very different.

(although your crossover looks really nice too)
 
bottleneck said:
Thanks Simon - and congratulations on such an impressive build. Westminsters - going straight for the top Tannoy dog, good for you!

NB
I had an interesting time comparing air core and iron core inductors on the bass cone when I knocked my crossover together. If you have a few quid spare at the end, you might like to try both. They sound very different.

(although your crossover looks really nice too)
Click to expand...

Thanks for the advice, i certainly will have a play with the inductors.
I am hoping that these speakers will put a stopper on considering others for a while-as you are probably finding there is a great sense of attachment and pride in building your own (if you do it as well as your Tractrix turned out)

In my case we will see, fingers crossed.

Cheers Si
 
what you'll have is a £20k speaker (about) for, maybe a grand or two plus a lot of effort. I'm sure they will sound fantastic.

I think personally DIY makes most sense when you make something expensive - I've never seen the point in doing DIY with cheap stuff. Whats the point? Ebay is full of second hand cheap stuff.
 
Hi Folks an Easter update...they are home,my arms a couple of inches longer than they were yesterday.
I will now spend the weekend fitting the moldings which should be a nice relaxing job and then fit the bases which i have made detachable to take a few pounds of the weight for moving them which i hope won't be for a while now.

Heres some pics-


DSCN0555 by simon ms, on Flickr


DSCN0581 by simon ms, on Flickr


DSCN0578 by simon ms, on Flickr


DSCN0577 by simon ms, on Flickr


DSCN0571 by simon ms, on Flickr


DSCN0564 by simon ms, on Flickr


DSCN0563 by simon ms, on Flickr


DSCN0556 by simon ms, on Flickr


DSCN0554 by simon ms, on Flickr


DSCN0552 by simon ms, on Flickr


DSCN0549 by simon ms, on Flickr


DSCN0545 by simon ms, on Flickr

Happy Easter!
 
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