Altec Model 19 Speaker Building Project
- Thread starter Brad Muller
- Start date
Very nice Brad. Do you have any close-ups of the bases and caster set-up? Maybe a shot from underneath so I can see the casters mounted etc. I need to build some for mine.
I hate the way Altec put the speaker terminals on the bottom, duh! Yours will be an improvement.
I hate the way Altec put the speaker terminals on the bottom, duh! Yours will be an improvement.
mvandyke
Active Member
Here are a couple of additional pictures. We installed Brads 416a's as they are back mounted and now was the time to do it before we installed the front piece.
I've also included a picture of the bottom coasters per Cactus Bob's request. The bases are 17X26 and are centered in the bottom. I got the coasters (2.5 inch height) at Harbor Freight and they cover the 2 inch base perfectly. Glad to have them on as now they are easier to move.
Here are pictures of the backs and the bi-amp speaker connections.
I counted the number of screws per speaker (all counter sunk) - a total of 82 per speaker.
Working on crossovers today (one is complete) and then we start the vener process.
I've also included a picture of the bottom coasters per Cactus Bob's request. The bases are 17X26 and are centered in the bottom. I got the coasters (2.5 inch height) at Harbor Freight and they cover the 2 inch base perfectly. Glad to have them on as now they are easier to move.
Here are pictures of the backs and the bi-amp speaker connections.
I counted the number of screws per speaker (all counter sunk) - a total of 82 per speaker.
Working on crossovers today (one is complete) and then we start the vener process.
Last edited:
Perfect! Thanks for posting the pictures Matt. That will really help when I build my bases. :thmbsp:
Brad Muller
Super Member
The veneer is going to be the fun part of this project! I can't wait until we finally hook them up to some power and let them sing!
mvandyke
Active Member
Just finished the 4th Z19 crossover. My soldering skills are actually improving (they could only go up from where I started). Tomorrow we'll work on the installing the crossovers and the grills and maybe get a start on the veneer work and the internal wiring.
Will get additional pictures up tomorrow evening.
Will get additional pictures up tomorrow evening.
mvandyke
Active Member
I used a dado cut on the top and bottoms of each side and predrilled holes then glued and countersunk 5 screws per connection. Additionally I also nailed all connections. I was surprised how strong the boxes were. All joints were also caulked.
I did use blocks on all of the connections also. On the front and back I used 8 blocks. The goal was to make it stable as possible.
I did use blocks on all of the connections also. On the front and back I used 8 blocks. The goal was to make it stable as possible.
mvandyke
Active Member
I was out of town last week but did make some progress last night. I did finally complete all of the xovers and got them installed temporarily to make sure that they work.
I did have an initial problem as I forgot one of the ground wires. Additionally hooking up the xover structure (lpads, L brackets, wood, connectors etc.) took a little longer than I thought. A couple of beers and some tunes in the background helped the process go smoothly.
Brad is using a pair of 16 ohms 416a woofers on his speakers so the crossover was a little different for him.
Here is a picture of the two different xover networks completed.
Brad completed the internal wiring last week so I was able to install all of the crossovers last night and they all worked perfectly. Here's a picture of them being broke in as I've been running them all night long.
Brad is going to use a black front and I'm going to use veneer for the front. We both should be starting the veneer process in the next couple of days.
The building is over and now the final finishes need to be completed.
I did have an initial problem as I forgot one of the ground wires. Additionally hooking up the xover structure (lpads, L brackets, wood, connectors etc.) took a little longer than I thought. A couple of beers and some tunes in the background helped the process go smoothly.
Brad is using a pair of 16 ohms 416a woofers on his speakers so the crossover was a little different for him.
Here is a picture of the two different xover networks completed.
Brad completed the internal wiring last week so I was able to install all of the crossovers last night and they all worked perfectly. Here's a picture of them being broke in as I've been running them all night long.
Brad is going to use a black front and I'm going to use veneer for the front. We both should be starting the veneer process in the next couple of days.
The building is over and now the final finishes need to be completed.
luckyed
Addicted Member
Wow, very nice. I wouldn't mind being in a room with those while they are in action. Enough about your avatar, nice speaker project.
Brad Muller
Super Member
Nice work Matt! Those crossovers look great!:yes:
mvandyke
Active Member
It's been a couple of weeks since we posted last and we getting closer to the finish.
All of the Z19 crossovers have been installed and tested and they are working out just fine.
We decide to build the 811b foam surrounds. I was able to duplicate a pair that I purchased from the web. I ended up going to JoAnne (fabric and linens) and buying some 2 inch foam. I ended up cutting it all with a electric carving knife and it worked out pretty good. Total cost $22 versus $120 for 2 sets. It took a lot of paint to cover them but here's a shot of one set. They are actually a lot straighter than they look in the picture.
I'm ending up veneering my speakers and Brad is veneering a portion and painting the front and back. I'm using quarter sawn red oak for this project. The veneering project hit a little bit of a road bump as I was using a method of gluing the pieces individually, letting the glue dry and then ironing the pieces together. This provides some flexibility in reposition the pieces if required. I was about 1/2 done with my set and called it a day. They looked good but I was concerned that they would not stick. I went out the next morning and was able to pull all of the pieces off. I don't think that I used enough glue.
I was done with this process and moved to using contact cement - all went fine after that. Some additional sanding, plenty of trimming and making sure that it all fit together as perfect as possible.
The staining is complete (with my speakers - Brad will do his this weekend). I've started the clear coat process using a wipe on urethane and have two more coats to finish.
After that it's speaker grill installation and then we should be done.
It kind of a dream come true to create a set of Model 19's from scratch. It's been a good learning experience and I've enjoyed my time with Brad, having a beer, smelling saw dust and making a piece of art (I hope).
All of the Z19 crossovers have been installed and tested and they are working out just fine.
We decide to build the 811b foam surrounds. I was able to duplicate a pair that I purchased from the web. I ended up going to JoAnne (fabric and linens) and buying some 2 inch foam. I ended up cutting it all with a electric carving knife and it worked out pretty good. Total cost $22 versus $120 for 2 sets. It took a lot of paint to cover them but here's a shot of one set. They are actually a lot straighter than they look in the picture.
I'm ending up veneering my speakers and Brad is veneering a portion and painting the front and back. I'm using quarter sawn red oak for this project. The veneering project hit a little bit of a road bump as I was using a method of gluing the pieces individually, letting the glue dry and then ironing the pieces together. This provides some flexibility in reposition the pieces if required. I was about 1/2 done with my set and called it a day. They looked good but I was concerned that they would not stick. I went out the next morning and was able to pull all of the pieces off. I don't think that I used enough glue.
I was done with this process and moved to using contact cement - all went fine after that. Some additional sanding, plenty of trimming and making sure that it all fit together as perfect as possible.
The staining is complete (with my speakers - Brad will do his this weekend). I've started the clear coat process using a wipe on urethane and have two more coats to finish.
After that it's speaker grill installation and then we should be done.
It kind of a dream come true to create a set of Model 19's from scratch. It's been a good learning experience and I've enjoyed my time with Brad, having a beer, smelling saw dust and making a piece of art (I hope).
Beautiful! I see an Altec / Foosball / Beer party coming up soon!! :guitar: 
canuckaudiog
On a quest for high fidelity
Wow guys. My hats are off to you for making it this far in the project. Looks like all the hard parts are over with and now it's a simple matter of just the finishing touches.
Well done. I cannot wait to hear your hearing impressions.
Well done. I cannot wait to hear your hearing impressions.
Can you say specifically what kind of foam you bought? I just finished building a pair of Model 19 speakers myself. GPA components and I left the crossover outboard. Cabinets were original with all components having been sold off before I got them. But I am interested in the foam that you used for the horns. Thanks!
mvandyke
Active Member
Here is a link to the type that I bought. My piece was 2 inches thick and 36 inches wide. I cut it with a electric carving knife (messed up on the first piece) but then got the grove going.
http://www.joann.com/heavy-duty-foam-slab-2-x-24-x-90-/zprd_11178100a/
Good luck
http://www.joann.com/heavy-duty-foam-slab-2-x-24-x-90-/zprd_11178100a/
Good luck
