Question for speaker gurus

[james...]

I have an open back 2x12 and one of the screw holes for a speaker has become stripped. So my speaker isn't totally screwed down on one side. There's a few millimeters of space on that side between the speaker and the wood.

Is this killing my tone? Is it bad in an open back cab for a speaker not to be totally flush with the wood?

[stratovarius]

Are non-gurus are allowed to respond? I would want to resolve this issue. Is it a machine screw or a wood screw?

[james...]

I'm not sure.

I don't think it's fixable without some major woodwork.

[DT7]

Is the screw stripped, or is the hole stripped? If it's the hole, and the hole is in wood (no metal insert), then you can just get one or two wooden matches, dip them in carpenters glue and jam them in there. After they dry, break off the ends so the speaker can go flush with the baffle-board, and screw the speaker on. The "new hole" should hold the speaker screw just fine.

[Mike9]

First of all take out the screw and see if it's a machine thread, or a wood thread. If you aren't sure take the speaker out and feel for a T-nut on the other side. If there is no T-nut and it's screwed directly to the baffle then you need to either A: plug the hole then re-pilot, B: use a larger size screw, or C: install a threaded insert.

[james...]

Alrighty. Will go see.

[james...]

Alright guys here's what's happened.

They use T-nuts.

What has happened is that two of the T-nuts have popped out of the wood. So when I tighten the screws, the t-nuts start to pop out.

[stratovarius]

By the way, speaker frames can be distorted by screwing them down too tightly. Partially tighten each screw in succession, then repeat a couple of times to ensure even pressure all the way around. The screws should be tightened just until they stop turning using moderate pressure.

[james...]

Right now I can't get them tight at all, due to the T-nut issue.

[stratovarius]

Alright guys here's what's happened.

They use T-nuts.

What has happened is that two of the T-nuts have popped out of the wood. So when I tighten the screws, the t-nuts start to pop out.

There should be flanges on the t-nuts to prevent them from turning. Try repositioning them so that the flanges meet with fresh wood and re-seat them. If you can remove the grill, then they can be hammered into place. If not, then completely remove the speaker and used the screws to pull the t-nuts into place. Use some washers to support the screw heads as you tighten them.

[straightblues]

Just put the T-nuts back in. What am I missing? You can get T-nuts at any hardware store if they are missing. You can just press fit them in and when you tighten the screw it will suck them down into place. Or you can tap them in with a hamer even through the grill cloth. They should go in pretty easy.

[james...]

Sounds like a good idea.

[Muzzy]

Can you glue the t= nuts in so they won't spin?

[james...]

I don't see why not.

[sg~guy]

Just put the T-nuts back in. What am I missing? You can get T-nuts at any hardware store if they are missing. You can just press fit them in and when you tighten the screw it will suck them down into place. Or you can tap them in with a hamer even through the grill cloth. They should go in pretty easy.



exactly what i was thinking,..it sounds like the little "spikes" on the t-nut are gone,...so take the t-nuts to the hardware store and get some more! you can also get the same size thread on the t-nut with a larger diameter head,...and ya might as well get new machine screws to go with your new t-nuts as well,..so ya dont strip out the new t-nuts with the old machine screws,...this entire project will cost ya about $4.00..

good point about over tightening the speaker and warping it,...tighten your speaker like you do with the lug nuts on your car wheels..