Bottlehead Forum

General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: canonken on January 08, 2021, 06:22:20 AM

Title: Is there a thread of completed projects (to see how people finished the wood)?
Post by: canonken on January 08, 2021, 06:22:20 AM: Sorry if I missed it, but would love to see a collection of different wood finishes people used, bell housing finishes, or other small mods (like feet) that were done.

Thanks!
Title: Re: Is there a thread of completed projects (to see how people finished the wood)?
Post by: Paul Birkeland on January 08, 2021, 06:41:27 AM: There's a gallery here:
https://forum.bottlehead.com/index.php?board=19.0 (https://forum.bottlehead.com/index.php?board=19.0)

and some factory built kits here:
https://forum.bottlehead.com/index.php?topic=11205.0 (https://forum.bottlehead.com/index.php?topic=11205.0)
Title: Re: Is there a thread of completed projects (to see how people finished the wood)?
Post by: mcandmar on January 08, 2021, 08:48:46 AM: The Gallery was removed a good while back, think it was causing bandwidth issues with the hosting.
Title: Re: Is there a thread of completed projects (to see how people finished the wood)?
Post by: oguinn on January 08, 2021, 01:42:33 PM: I created a gallery at www.diyaudiogallery.com. Always looking for new contributions
Title: Re: Is there a thread of completed projects (to see how people finished the wood)?
Post by: Alonzo on January 08, 2021, 02:08:21 PM: I'll have to clean my amps and get better pictures to contribute there.
Title: Re: Is there a thread of completed projects (to see how people finished the wood)?
Post by: oguinn on January 08, 2021, 02:33:09 PM: I look forward to it!
Title: Re: Is there a thread of completed projects (to see how people finished the wood)?
Post by: Colonl_Charisma on January 08, 2021, 04:50:41 PM: Sweet! I'll contribute to your gallery too. I've actually been wanting a place to look at other builds as well.
Title: Re: Is there a thread of completed projects (to see how people finished the wood)?
Post by: oguinn on January 09, 2021, 03:36:33 AM: Awesome!
Title: Re: Is there a thread of completed projects (to see how people finished the wood)?
Post by: canonken on January 09, 2021, 04:22:05 AM: Cool thanks!

I just ordered my Reduction and trying to figure out what I want to do with the wood (I don't want to 'color' it per se, but something that really brings out the woodiness and makes it pop). What finish does Bottlehead use on the images on their site?

Also debating options for the bell housing. My easy option would just be black spray paint then some sort of spray clear coat or similar over the top. However, I have seen some images of dark bronze/copper that looks interesting. I also saw some people using different screws for the bell housing (some brass slot head style ones).

I plan on leaving the plate alone.

What was done to the wood on this (what they show on their site?)
Title: Re: Is there a thread of completed projects (to see how people finished the wood)?
Post by: Natural Sound on January 09, 2021, 05:16:17 AM: I use "Tried and True" finishes on my bottlehead bases. It doesn't contain any nasty toxic chemicals.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=fLjmFSsL1sI (https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=fLjmFSsL1sI)

You'll want to put some kind of a coating on the bell end too or it will rust. Spray paint is fine. Some of the guys around here use gun bluing which looks real nice. "Birchwood Casey" seems to be a popular brand.
Title: Re: Is there a thread of completed projects (to see how people finished the wood)?
Post by: Paul Birkeland on January 09, 2021, 05:38:15 AM: I also recommend Tried and True. It is very close in appearance to what we use for the kits we photograph, which is often either gun stock oil or linseed oil.
Title: Re: Is there a thread of completed projects (to see how people finished the wood)?
Post by: canonken on January 09, 2021, 03:43:42 PM: Cool thanks!
Title: Re: Is there a thread of completed projects (to see how people finished the wood)?
Post by: Adrian on January 10, 2021, 04:51:15 AM: Quote from: Natural Sound on January 09, 2021, 05:16:17 AM
I use "Tried and True" finishes on my bottlehead bases. It doesn't contain any nasty toxic chemicals.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=fLjmFSsL1sI (https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=fLjmFSsL1sI)

You'll want to put some kind of a coating on the bell end too or it will rust. Spray paint is fine. Some of the guys around here use gun bluing which looks real nice. "Birchwood Casey" seems to be a popular brand.

2 or 3 coats of Tried and True will bring out the beauty of the wood and give it a wonderful sheen.
Title: Re: Is there a thread of completed projects (to see how people finished the wood)?
Post by: Doc B. on January 10, 2021, 08:18:03 AM: The more recent bases in the product shots have been done with a little bit thinner oil than linseed oil alone or gunstock oil. I think I used Watco Danish oil. It seems to pop the grain very nicely. Re the bell ends, bluing is not a very good protectant against rust by itself. It is best sealed with something - oil at the very least, or a clear coat. I think my favorite finish for end bells is vein type powder coat. Make sure the bell end is meticulously clean before attempting to put on any finish. Acetone works well.
Title: Re: Is there a thread of completed projects (to see how people finished the wood)?
Post by: canonken on January 10, 2021, 09:15:42 AM: Funny enough I used Watco Danish oil on this kit I did (good quality plywood) and while I liked the results, it doesn't glow...likely because of the wood (not nice solid wood). I might just do that again. Was it just the plain 'Natural' color or one of the 'colored' Danish oils?

https://www.madisoundspeakerstore.com/full-range-speaker-kits/fostex-bk-12m-folded-horn-kit-pair/ (https://www.madisoundspeakerstore.com/full-range-speaker-kits/fostex-bk-12m-folded-horn-kit-pair/)

I agree powder coating like that (I Google Image searched that phrase) looks great, but assume you need a shop to do it...or at the very least you'd need to buy some special tools?

What about one of the hammered effect spray paints? Obviously would still lightly buff, clean it well (despite it saying you can go over rust and such).

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Rust-Oleum-Stops-Rust-12-oz-Hammered-Dark-Bronze-Protective-Spray-Paint-7218830/100174984 (https://www.homedepot.com/p/Rust-Oleum-Stops-Rust-12-oz-Hammered-Dark-Bronze-Protective-Spray-Paint-7218830/100174984)

Thanks!
Title: Re: Is there a thread of completed projects (to see how people finished the wood)?
Post by: Paul Birkeland on January 10, 2021, 09:22:46 AM: The hammered paint looks great, just be sure to let it dry 2-3 weeks before building out the kit.

For powder coating, any powder coating shop around you likely runs black several times per week and would throw your panel in inexpensively. I suggest bringing cash and saying you don't need any paperwork.
Title: Re: Is there a thread of completed projects (to see how people finished the wood)?
Post by: oguinn on January 10, 2021, 09:34:09 AM: I took my chassis plates and bell covers to a motorcycle repair shop and they powder coated in any color I wanted. They even stripped the coating off and did it again when I realized I didnâ€™t like the way one looked.
Title: Re: Is there a thread of completed projects (to see how people finished the wood)?
Post by: canonken on January 10, 2021, 03:26:55 PM: Thanks Paul! Good advice on the trying time. And the 'off the book' work ;)

oguinn - how much did that run you? I worry they are not going to want to do any work under $50 or the like.
Title: Re: Is there a thread of completed projects (to see how people finished the wood)?
Post by: oguinn on January 10, 2021, 04:39:57 PM: I had them do four or five over a couple years and got to know the shop owner. I want to say it was about $50 per, but that was with a candy finish that took two coats.