End Caps Done!

musky1963

I found that the hangar bolts can be pulled/tilted a little side to side, if needed to fit into the mating holes in the cabinets. Being coarse thread, they grab and go where they want to. Another option is to slightly elongate or drill a slightly larger hole in the cabs.

headrott

Allright, got all the caps finished. i only took pictures of the tops though as the bottoms look the same but inverted.:razz: Anyway, pics are below. What do you guys think? Sorry that I am not the greatest photographer in the world either.:redface: Gonna get on doing a write up of how they sound with the Clarity cap ESA's and Duelund resistors too.

Greg

F1nut

Looks nice, Greg.

steveinaz

Gorgeous Greg.

SCompRacer

Those do look great Greg! High marks for Jeff's work!

unclebiskabobka

Beautiful work, gentlemen!

inspiredsports

I think all model Polk originals are just 1" thick, but that may have just been a cost control decision to keep raw material and machine settings constant.

DarqueKnight

Curly (tiger) maple end caps and side strips for my SDA SRS's:


Figure 1. Curly maple end caps awaiting installation.


Figure 2. I have never been a fan of any type of oak finish.


Figure 3. Exotic curly maple is a more appropriate finish for a vintage flagship loudspeaker.


Figure 4. Curly maple cap and the oak cap it replaced.


Figure 5. Curly maple and original oak side strip.


Figure 6. The exotic tiger strip figuring of the curly maple end caps is a much better compliment to the other wood finishes in my home.


Figure 7. Even in this low resolution picture, the iridescent, three-dimensional appearance of the curly
figuring is easily seen.


Figure 8. Closeup of side strip figuring.


Figure 9. Front/top/side view after installation.


Figure 10. "Tiger" striping along front edge.

Installation details coming in a separate thread.

thsmith

Gorgeous !

F1nut

Even in this low resolution picture, the iridescent, three-dimensional appearance of the curly figuring is easily seen.

This is due, in no small part, to the fact he uses an Aniline dye instead of a pigmented stain such as the type used by Polk on the original caps. The other part is how the wood is cut. Had Polk used dyed quartersawn oak instead of stained flatcut they would have had the same iridescent, 3-D appearance.

DarqueKnight

F1nut wrote: »

This is due, in no small part, to the fact he uses an Aniline dye instead of a pigmented stain such as the type used by Polk on the original caps. The other part is how the wood is cut. Had Polk used dyed quartersawn oak instead of stained flatcut they would have had the same iridescent, 3-D appearance.

I know quartersawing reduces the amount of retrievable lumber from a log. Is there a significant cost difference between flat cut and quartersawn and between Aniline dye and pigmented stain?

F1nut wrote: »

Had Polk used dyed quartersawn oak instead of stained flatcut they would have had the same iridescent, 3-D appearance.

But I still wouldn't have liked it. I looked up some examples of quatersawn oak.

musky1963

F1nut wrote: »

This is due, in no small part, to the fact he uses an Aniline dye instead of a pigmented stain such as the type used by Polk on the original caps. The other part is how the wood is cut. Had Polk used dyed quartersawn oak instead of stained flatcut they would have had the same iridescent, 3-D appearance.

Sorry, I can't agree with that. I have used quartersawn and curly oak, rather figured, and it doesn't 3-D nearly as well as maple. Pictures really cannot capture the effect well either. I have some mottled maple that would blow your mind. It looks like drops of water......... hard to explain.

F1nut

DarqueKnight wrote: »

I know quartersawing reduces the amount of retrievable lumber from a log. Is there a significant cost difference between flat cut and quartersawn and between Aniline dye and pigmented stain?

There is most definitely a price difference. Whether one thinks it is significant I'll leave up to the individual.

There is also a cost difference between pigmented wiping stains and dyes. The cost difference varies even between the types of dye. There is one dye I use that is made in Italy. It's not cheap at all, but it's a concentrate, so depending on the application the actual cost per item can be quite reasonable.

But I still wouldn't have liked it. I looked up some examples of quatersawn oak.

Those aren't the best examples. It looks like clear coated flooring without a dye, so the "pop" isn't going to be there. However, you still might not like it. Personally, I don't care much for oak.

F1nut

musky1963 wrote: »

Sorry, I can't agree with that. I have used quartersawn and curly oak, rather figured, and it doesn't 3-D nearly as well as maple. Pictures really cannot capture the effect well either. I have some mottled maple that would blow your mind. It looks like drops of water......... hard to explain.

We'll have to disagree to a point. While a ribbon stripe tends to show the 3-D effect a little better, I've seen some old growth oak flake that'll make you think you're on LSD.

george daniel

F1nut wrote: »

We'll have to disagree to a point. While a ribbon stripe tends to show the 3-D effect a little better, I've seen some old growth oak flake that'll make you think you're on LSD.

I want some.

brgman

george daniel wrote: »

I want some.

Oak or LSD?

Malbec

http://talaricohardwoods.com/quality.htm

Speaking of old growth quartersawn white oak. Check the link above.

I have a Stickley bow arm Morris chair that I lounge in and I can sit there and stare at the ray flecks for hours.

angelzSRSSDA1.2

How much would a regular basic stock looking set will go for. I have SRS SDA

angelzSRSSDA1.2

I'm thinking even a old used pair would be better then granite ones

WastelandWand'r

As some of you may guess from my signature I have several sets of speakers stored for me because I am lucky enough to have patient family members holding them for me out of state.
When I saw the difference the end caps made for several other members (thanks DK and others for the photos as installed), I decided I needed to order them while I could and have them waiting.
I contacted Musky since he was volunteering his services and ordered a set.
Received them the other day, and family reports that they were wrapped exceptionally well and beautiful to look at. Of course i am still trying to explain exactly what they are. (non audio type family for sure) But they have got used to me and strange boxes showing up on there doorsteps with promises that I will someday get all the crap out of their houses!!
So if anyone was thinking of doing I say go for it. Musky was a pleasure to work with and I thank him for his patience and making the offer in the first place.
Happy trails,
Nathan

musky1963

Thanks Nate. I hope you will enjoy them! I have another set ready and also a set of curly oak..........if anyone is interested. Jeff

[Deleted User]

Jeff,

I sent you an email.

Halen

muncybob

Jeff, I also sent you an email a few days ago. As I mentioned we are not in a hurry but just wanted to be sure you received it.

PolkMaster1

Jeff -

I also sent an email a few days back having some interest in your work. Hit me back if you did not get it.

Thanks much!!!

PolkMaster1

I am sure someone can answer this question -

If the end and side-caps are faded, but are in good condition, meaning that there is no physical damage, why not just restain them instead of having to cut new peices of wood? Are there finish or treatment issues when compared to a newly cut and unstained wood equivalent?

DarqueKnight

Of course there is no problem with restaining the original caps and side strips. In my case, there was nothing wrong with the finish on my wood trim. I just don't like oak...so no amount of restaining was going to fix that.