New production run

[Doc B.]

I just picked up five pairs of Jager cabinet panels this morning. We are taking orders and will probably begin shipping in about three weeks more or less, depending upon the supply chain for the other speaker components.

[Roamconstant]

Order placed!

I’m having so much fun with these kits Doc.  Thanks for everything you do!

[Doc B.]

Thank you so much! Just four kits left.

[FS]

Alright. I was holding out for the walnut, but I pulled the trigger on this. Looking forward to building these. Hopefully, the kit will make it across the country undamaged...
I am not sure about the finish. Veneering might be too challenging on these large pieces. And I don't like the looks of stained plywood...Maybe I should just give them a few coats of paint?
FS

[oguinn]

I wouldn't worry too much about them making it across the country undamaged. Mine made it to Kansas City without any drama. They're very well packed.

As far as finishing goes... I wasn't thrilled with how mine turned out when I stained them. That's on me, though, since I should have done more prep work. It's absolutely possible (and easy with some planning) to get the plywood these cabinets are made out of to look great. I'd get a couple pieces of baltic birch ply and play around with different treatments to see what you like best. Of course baltic birch ply is crazy expensive right now, so...

[Paul Birkeland]

I just did a set in clear water based poly.  This was pretty easy and looks great, though the finish isn't perfectly smooth to the touch.

[Doc B.]

If you want to stain here is a nice demo of a gel stain and toning lacquer finish over birch ply. Toning lacquer was used back in the days of those lovely art deco wood radios. I used it a lot in restorations I did back in the 90s. Mixed my own using powdered dye in nitro lacquer.

[oguinn]

Probably the answer is “go try it” but do you think the gel would work on wood that’s been stained already?

I already started removing the tung oil finish to try the toner, too.

[Doc B.]

The answer is go try it, but specifically because of the potential for bad interaction between the different finishes. Lacquer does not necessarily like oil finishes and can mess them up. You probably ought to do some testing on a discrete spot before pressing ahead.

Some factoids that may or may not be useful - shellac makes a great sealer for under nitro lacquer. And shellac will go over a well cured tung oil finish. You can also tint shellac the same way you tint lacquer. And if you are really a masochist you can do a French polish finish with tinted shellac.

[oguinn]

I don't see French polish in my future, but the rest of that info was really helpful. Thanks!

[Hank Murrow]

That looks like my set. Gorgeous Paul! Thanks, Hank in Eugene

[Karl5150]

"This was pretty easy and looks great..."
Ditto on the wipe-on poly for kit bases, speakers (maybe Jagers someday...), record rack, etc.
Karl

[Doc B.]

I want to point out that we have only one kit (that is, a kit of one pair of speakers) left from the current Jager production run. If it is ordered in the next couple of days we should be able to get it shipped before we leave for Bonneville. Once this kit is sold it will be some time - my educated guess is a couple of months - before we will have more kits in stock.

Here's a link to the order page - https://bottlehead.com/product/jager-speaker-kit/

[Brillo]

Another run planned?

[Doc B.]

Yes. We have most of the parts in stock for five kits. We need a little more time to get caught up with our amp kit backlog and then we will release them.