Best Screws for installing the drivers

gperkins1973 · 21-10-2009, 11:47 AM

Hi guys,

I have got to order some screws for the subs tomorrow but am not sure what ones to get. My wood screws are gold so I dont want to use them. I have found some black ones see below:

Wood Screws Black Jap. Round Head - 6G x 1

or to get T Nuts.

CABINET ACCESSORIES

Your thoughts would be appreciated.

cheers

Graham

AngelEyes · 21-10-2009, 12:02 PM

I would probably get some hex bolts (the type that require an allen key) as they look quite smart and you don't have to worry about the MDF deteriorating if you instal and remove the drivers multiple times, as you would with screws.

The only concern I would have is keeping things airtight.

Adam

Nimby · 21-10-2009, 12:26 PM

Socket head, furniture screws are gold chromated and stay looking that way. The large heads snuggle nicely down on the rubber sealing rim of your drivers without crushing, damage or ugly washers. The hex socket head doesn't wear out or look ugly and Allen keys can't stab driver cones.

Available in many different lengths they fit the thread in T-nuts.

Check out the big piccy:

A True Infinite Baffle Subwoofer: New AE IB15 drivers

gperkins1973 · 21-10-2009, 12:31 PM

Nimby,

I really wanted them inside the rubber so they are not seen as that does look pretty ugly with the big bolts. I suppose you could lift the rubber up and bolt them in underneath.

cheers

Graham

Nimby · 21-10-2009, 12:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gperkins1973

Nimby,

I really wanted them inside the rubber so they are not seen as that does look pretty ugly with the big bolts. I suppose you could lift the rubber up and bolt them in underneath.

cheers

Graham

Pretty ugly? Pretty ugly?!?

Wash your mouth out! A furniture screw is a work of art developed over the millennia to achieve a level of perfection totally unmatched elsewhere in human creativity!

I'll not hear of you lifting your skirts to hide these golden treasures.

Oh, suit yourself. You will anyway.

gperkins1973 · 21-10-2009, 1:17 PM

Nimby,

sorry mate, but they do. If they came in black to match the rubber surround then that would look better. With the amount this thing has cost me those final touches will make all the difference you know.
cheers

Graham

**IronGiant** · 21-10-2009, 2:41 PM

I used black T bolts with a black crosshead head. If I were to replace them I would probably use stainless steel starhead security bolts because they look really cool, hex heads are so nineties...

Dave

Edit: something like this:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/TM-Pin-Star-Bu...11132003r20618

AngelEyes · 21-10-2009, 2:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IronGiant

I used black T bolts with a black crosshead head. If I were to replace them I would probably use stainless steel starhead security bolts because they look really cool, hex heads are so nineties...

Dave

I concede that point

Graham, definately avoid flat head screws, the chance of the screwdriver slipping and making a mess of the drivers is too painful to contemplate

. Plus they burr easily and are harder to tighten.

Adam

Nimby · 21-10-2009, 3:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IronGiant

I used black T bolts with a black crosshead head. If I were to replace them I would probably use stainless steel starhead security bolts because they look really cool, hex heads are so nineties...

Dave

Et tu, Brute?

**IronGiant** · 21-10-2009, 3:31 PM

Don't take me too seriously

AngelEyes · 21-10-2009, 3:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IronGiant

Don't take me too seriously

Never

Actually I was thinking of Torx screws or bolts, I think they look cool.

Adam

gperkins1973 · 22-10-2009, 7:29 PM

Hi guys,

Just found some of these.

My wood is 25mm thick and the bolts are 40mm long. Will these be too long.

https://www.wilmslow-audio.co.uk/cat...61&language=en

Or these on ebay.

25 x Black M5 x 30mm Allen Cap Screws / T Nut Bolt on eBay (end time 04-Nov-09 16:58:10 GMT)

cheers

Graham

AngelEyes · 22-10-2009, 7:50 PM

They are 30mm long behind the head so will only be 5mm too long which should be fine.

I ordered the same this morning

Adam

gperkins1973 · 22-10-2009, 7:55 PM

Adam,

Where did you get yours from. I need to get mine tomorrow but there's the stupid post strike.
I did find these as well.

Socket Button Screw Metric, BSW, UNC, UNF 12.9 Grade : Fastfix Direct : Tools Fasteners and Fixings

The other thing that I just read was that these need hammering in but the space between my inner panel and 1st brace is too tight to bang in. If I drill the hole then feed the bolt into that hole and tighten on the t nut will that force it in enough to make it really tight. The guy at FI did mention something with regards to glueing the t nuts in.

cheers

Graham

Russell.Williams · 22-10-2009, 8:35 PM

I ordered some of the M5x30mm Black Allen Cap Head screws an T-nuts off Ebay too. The AE15-X has one of those captive gaskets that both under and over the driver basket and so it doesn't really matter what colour the bolts are - you can't see them.

Russell

gperkins1973 · 22-10-2009, 8:43 PM

Rusell

Do you think 25mm mdf will be thick enough to keep my 50lb 18's in nice and tight. I didn't double up on the wood. To be honest completely forgot all about it.

cheers

Graham

Russell.Williams · 22-10-2009, 9:10 PM

Should be fine, but my baffle is a double thickness of 18mm, albeit with the front 18mm routed away to rebate the driver basket.

Russell

gperkins1973 · 22-10-2009, 9:20 PM

Russell,

Cheers mate. Poxy post strike means a delay in getting the bolts and nuts. Going to check out B&Q tomorrow but don't hold out much luck. Screwfix don't sell them.

Not sure about homebase and Wickes.

cheers
Graham

**IronGiant** · 22-10-2009, 11:10 PM

I hate to say it guys but I couldn't get T bolts to fit due to the shape of my driver and just used screws into the MDF. That's a 12kg down firing driver hanging off those screws and it's been sitting there for the last 5 years or so...

I will always over engineer beyond the call of duty but...

Dave

gperkins1973 · 23-10-2009, 6:41 AM

dave

Cheers for that. I was thinking screws but the only black ones I could find was flat head ones. I checked my holes on my drivers last night and it will just allow upto a 5mm hole. I may be wiser going for a 4mm just to be on the safe side.

cheers

Graham

Charlts · 23-10-2009, 8:19 AM

Graham have you tried any fastener places local to you? I tried a google search for places near Sittingbourne and a few cropped up here.

Ryan

**IronGiant** · 23-10-2009, 6:03 PM

What you could do Graham is to just use any old ugly screws for now and swap them out for the T-bolts when they arrive.

Dave

gperkins1973 · 23-10-2009, 6:09 PM

I will probaby do that I think but I won't be veneering until next weekend so as long as I pilot the holes before I put the final outer panel on that will be ok. It probably would be a good idea to test it before I veneer but it will be so heavy by the end of the weekend, I will need a rest after just moving it.

I will screw the drivers in just for a teaser for you all.
cheers

Graham