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Thunderpants!
May 16, 2011 at 1:59 AM Post #1,351 of 2,225


Quote:
rehabitat said:
The main purpose of a woodied t50rp, or Thunderpants, is to eliminate cup vibrations that are prevalent in plastic cupped phones. Hardwood is used in preference over soft for the same reason. Layering is a great idea, especially if you don't have access to a lathe. Mixing materials, as in "constrained layer damping", is commonly used for replinthing vintage turntables. Imo this may be worth pursuing for headphones. Materials used are mdf and baltic ply.
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For turntables this is used because external vibrations from bass, footsteps, etc. can feedback into the stylus and add to noise.  Constrained layer makes a lot of sense there.  
 
I'd argue it makes a lot less sense for headphones.  Of course, if someone with a lot of time wants to make layered and hardwood and compare, that'd be cool, but modulo someone having that much time on their hands, i don't think the physics of the setup would warrant it.  The harder and denser the wood should yield best workability and audio, IMHO.
 
 
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May 16, 2011 at 2:45 AM Post #1,352 of 2,225
As far as I have read, CLD in turntable plinths is mainly to help reduce rumble and bearing/motor noise in idler drive and direct drive decks.  It is also used for speaker baffles/boxes, so I maintain that it would be worth a try in this application.  As far as time, it would barely take longer than turning a block on a lathe.  Just make the layers with hole saws or a jigsaw (more laborious), glue and clamp and you're done.  Any of these woody projects are going to consume some time; lots more than simply damping existing earcups.
 
Nevertheless you may be right in that it won't be any better at damping vibrations than a solid block, but for those without access to a lathe but in possession of drills, it could be a more practical and achievable option.  Another thing that occurs is that it would give good opportunities to experiment with cup depth.  And as far as aesthetics, layered cups could look just as good as solid blocks, just different, but ymmv 
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May 16, 2011 at 2:50 AM Post #1,353 of 2,225
x 2 ... & i'd urge others to heed your earlier recommendation against mdf ... that stuff reeks fumes for years ... very unhealthy .
 
Quote:
mrspeakers said:
For turntables this is used because external vibrations from bass, footsteps, etc. can feedback into the stylus and add to noise.  Constrained layer makes a lot of sense there.  
 
I'd argue it makes a lot less sense for headphones.  Of course, if someone with a lot of time wants to make layered and hardwood and compare, that'd be cool, but modulo someone having that much time on their hands, i don't think the physics of the setup would warrant it.  The harder and denser the wood should yield best workability and audio, IMHO.
 
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May 16, 2011 at 5:01 AM Post #1,355 of 2,225
Quote:
but for those without access to a lathe but in possession of drills, it could be a more practical and achievable option. 
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I've only got a dremmel along with accessories like a circle jig, drill press, reciprocating saw, etc.
 
I once built a table out of a sheet of particle board and some angle iron with just my dremmel and its attachments in my dorm room back in college.  People who say they aren't any good for large projects clearly aren't desperate or cheap enough.
 
May 16, 2011 at 8:09 AM Post #1,357 of 2,225
If you do it the biggest party day of the whole year, no one will even complain about the noise it makes drilling dozens of bolt holes.
 
I could have used glue, nails, or screws and it probably would have been stronger if I did, but then I wouldn't have been able to take it apart and cram it in my car at the end of the semester...
 
May 16, 2011 at 10:35 AM Post #1,358 of 2,225
 
Last week-end was my first try on the lathe and boy did it make me sweat !  Well after 3 tries on some wood from the discarded pile, I got this passable result :
 

 
Of course, I had more then my share of catches :

 
And I simply didn't manage to finish the interior properly :

 
Exterior was done using a spindle gouge, interior using a small bowl gouge and the same spindle gouge.  I had no luck with the 45 degree chisel, that tool would catch no matter what I did (and I did watch all the youtube videos I could find for proper technique). Next week-end, i'll try my luck using scrapers.
 
Out of curiosity, can someone identify the wood I used ? Even with my tools resharpened, this piece of wood felt much harder then what you see in youtube videos of bowl turning mapple.  The wood is naked except for a layer of mineral oil. Also, it displays a golden/brass satin reflection depending on what angle you look at it.
 
May 16, 2011 at 11:04 AM Post #1,359 of 2,225
only thing that helps with not getting catches is turning more sadly.
 
i know what type of wood that is but i cant remember the name :) SYCAMORE !
 
i think its harder then soft maple.
 
your probably turning slower then anyone on youtube i turn at 1300-3300 for wood cups ofc if you get a catch at this speed your woods going to have a good sized hole in it or be in half.
 
make sure when you present the tool to the wood your not pushing into the wood but pulling up on the tool handle till your cutting. l

 
 
May 16, 2011 at 1:10 PM Post #1,360 of 2,225
yes... sealing ... try it & see.
as for perspective, choosing which 5" blk of wood to use is easy .. moving ... not so much, esp. as u get older.
 
btw, i don't recognize that skyline  ... tallest bldg around here is the local zellers (soon to be target) ...
 
snow, clouds, smoke, fire, wind ... get plenty of that, but thankfully no flooding or quakes or glowing green stuff close by...
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 & that is plenty to be thanful.
 
Quote:
rehabitat said:
Seal it
 
To put the above comments in perspective, moving away from the big smoke would do wonders for your health.
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May 16, 2011 at 4:19 PM Post #1,361 of 2,225
lol, that's downtown Edmonton Alberta, according to wiki
 
Something worth noting, if the timber you are using has a strong smell, that's naturally occurring formaldehyde which is produced to repel attacking insects (termites, borers etc).  It is always advisable to wear a mask or better still a respirator when working any kind of timber, mdf or ply.
 
May 16, 2011 at 7:37 PM Post #1,362 of 2,225
I should probably ask this in a separate thread, but I have a feeling TP owners and entousiasts might be interested :wink:.  
 
I have a favor to ask any O2 pad owner.  I've bought myself a piece of Lambskin and i'm planning to build myself a pair of O2 clones (or fail miserably) filled with memory foam and boasting an hidden zipper so I can adjust the amount of padding .
 
But first, I would need a few pictures of O2 pads lying flat beside a ruler as a reference. Top view, bottom view and side view should be enough. In exchange, I promise to document the endeavor in great details.  Thanks in advance :wink: 
 
May 16, 2011 at 7:41 PM Post #1,363 of 2,225


Quote:
serenith said:
I should probably ask this in a separate thread, but I have a feeling TP owners and entousiasts might be interested :wink:.  
 
I have a favor to ask any O2 pad owner.  I've bought myself a piece of Lambskin and i'm planning to build myself a pair of O2 clones (or fail miserably) filled with memory foam and boasting an hidden zipper so I can adjust the amount of padding .
 
But first, I would need a few pictures of O2 pads lying flat beside a ruler as a reference. Top view, bottom view and side view should be enough. In exchange, I promise to document the endeavor in great details.  Thanks in advance :wink: 
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i can do it later tonight.
 
 
May 17, 2011 at 12:22 AM Post #1,364 of 2,225
I just bought my thunderpants from smeggy!! Gary is such a nice guy, he is so helpful with all my questions. Here is a pic of my Thunderpants...
 
 

 

 
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