Amazing woofer refoaming - How long does it take?

[Ar9Jim 6,513]

After changing to replacement drivers do to foam rot, I have 8 drivers with bad foam left over. I was watching some speaker repair videos on U tube and it doesn't look like a bad job to refoam them.

 

To those of you that have done this refoaming, how long does it take? As long as replacement drivers are available (about $50) their value seems limited. My were the cone type. The honeycombs seem to be unavailable already if I'm not mistaken.

 

I can't bring myself to throw them away. Maybe I'll put them in the boxes and stash them away. Maybe someday replacements won't be available and they may have more value then. Buy the time you buy the foam kit, it makes the replacements seem even more reasonable in price.

 

What have you guys that replaced drivers done with your old ones? 

[kve777 6,888]

I've been re-foaming for decades. Takes about a half hour each. It's not too hard a job, just tedious. The cleaning off of the old stuff is both the most important and hardest part. Just make sure your glue is compatible with all materials. Most drivers self-center when attaching the surround to the basket. There is a 'feel' for it that I have, rather than shimming. I only shim when re-coning. The spider has to be right on center.

[Ar9Jim 6,513]

 

 

I've been re-foaming for decades. Takes about a half hour each. It's not too hard a job, just tedious. The cleaning off of the old stuff is both the most important and hardest part. Just make sure your glue is compatible with all materials. Most drivers self-center when attaching the surround to the basket. There is a 'feel' for it that I have, rather than shimming. I only shim when re-coning. The spider has to be right on center.

Thank you Hashy for putting the thank button back.

[PMAT 2,041]

Plan on the first one being a little tough and then the rest are easy. Its a good skill to know. I just ordered new foams for 2 12 inch JL subwoofers. I think Kev is right on the time aspect.

[kve777 6,888]

Does anybody want a re-foaming tutorial?

 

This guy does it like I do, except I use small pieces of cardboard between the frame and cone as spring wedges to push up on the cone when gluing the surround to the cone so that the frame doesn't get in the way. Don't apply too much pressure or the spider will break. Just get the cone up a 1/4" to 1/2". Once you get the surround glued to the frame you can slide the surround into position to center it by feel. Put your thumbs and forefingers on the cone and feel for voice coil rub in all directions. Its well positioned when you have to apply the same lateral pressure in all directions to get rubbing. The glue should give you plenty of working time. Don't rush. Be neat. You want a thin layer of glue on both parts before joining. he's using Aleene's. Good stuff. Get it at Walmart and other locations.

 

[loner_t 2,568]

Under Kevin's tutelage, this is my first Infinity SSW-10 re-foam - Infinity SSW-10 Refoaming

 

From..

 

 

 

To...

 

 

 

Took me two days, but I refoamed the rest of the HT speakers in couple of hours. He can probably do it with his eyes closed in front of the TV.  

 

 

 

 

[AndrewJohn 10,476]

Nice work, LT, Excellent thread to get to the surface, Jim, Kevin.  Thank you. 

 

Not my favorite task - but it's one anyone can do. I've refoamed several dozen - mostly EPI (which are very easy).  I've always replaced the dust caps, and did the "shim" approach.

 

Looking at this, and the big project looming is a pair of Infinity towers that have a slightly different dust cap - I think I have to learn the non-shim approach.  Been putting this one off too long- let's see, 6 infinity drivers..., I'm guessing 2 days at my speed. 

 

[BarryG 2,853]

I have refoamed old radio shack realistic t-200 and Mach-2 speakers, kevin is right on.

The 15" took longer than the others! This is not my favorite task, but it's not hard!

 

My daughter has these with her realistic sta -2100 receiver! These were in my brother Rich's setup! The super tweeters I gave Dennis Miller a while back were also from this setup!

 

BarryG