Speaker Spacer Rings

[magstang1]

I needed to replace the speakers in the arch of my boat. The old ones literally fell apart. The trouble is, the arch is pretty shallow and those are my only set of cockpit speakers (for now). I wanted to put something pretty good in there. I decided to get the speakers I wanted and make them fit.

Exhibit A: Old Speakers

At least I know why they don't work.

I bought a set of 6 1/2" JL Audio coaxials and a chunk of starboard off of eBay for about $20. I figure I'll take my roto zip with the circle cutter and make some donuts for spacers.

Hmmmmm... Could have sworn I had a circle cutter. Maybe not. Maybe I'll go to the store and grab one. Or, make one. I make everything else more complicated than it needs to be. Why stop now?

Exhibit B: Old License Plate

That should do it.

The roto zip cuts the starboard surprisingly well.

Rough out some circles and square up the edges on the sander.

Drag out the router table and round over bit to ease the outside edges.

Break the inside edges slightly with a chamfer bit and VIOLA!

Now I just need to install them in the boat.

Until next time...

 

[NorCal Boater]

Sweet!

 

[skillz48047]

very nice job
i had to do that on my old 250 dancer and mine didnt turn out as nice as yours did:huh:
starboard is a great product!

 

[tdschafer]

Wow, very nice! Those old speakers were definitely done ! Lol
I got some nice vinyl covered spacers from a fellow member here but hit a snag. My antenna mounts are thru bolted in the spacer area and have reduced the available space considerably. Good luck in the install! I look forward to seeing the finished product!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Air O'Nautical]

Nice work.

Had to do the same project last year and also used Starboard.
I used a fly-cutter on a drill press and cut only to the size of the speakers.
Your idea of cutting bigger and rounding over the edge looks better!

Starboard is great...
Someday, I'll pick up all of those plastic shavings off the floor...you know what I mean.

 

[magstang1]

It looked like I had a party with some white powder when I was done.

What a mess. Thank god for shop vacs.

 

[hd2002hd]

I took out the old arch speakers and mounted some JL tweeters. The holes were too big, so I needed some filler. I made them out of wood, but I don't like them and need to do them over. The other thing is with tweeters being very directional, I beveled the face to direct them some what toward the rear. Any ideas on a good way to make that bevel. Is starboard easy to sand?

 

[magstang1]

Starboard is like plastic MDF.

It sands and machines well. Easy is a matter of opinion.

Good news, the speakers fit. I just dropped them in by hand to check clearance. My GPS mounting bracket is right behind the speaker as well.

 

[Knot It]

Very nice looking job. How much would it take to get you to make a set for a feller? I have some cheap black plastic ones now and hate them.

 

[magstang1]

Buy some starboard and send it this way. I'll make you a set.

On second thought, how about how ever much a circle cutter for my roto zip costs. The license plate is not too easy to adjust. Lol.

 

[Knot It]

Deal! I currently have these speakers installed JL AudioMarine M650-CCX-CG-WH (White with Classic Grilles) with this ring AmericanInternational SG-600DX. I hope the speakers are the same as yours so it will be an easy redo job for you.

I’d like to reduce the spacer size down as much a possible though. Only problem here is Mother Nature is not cooperating with us right now and the river has us flooded out of our marina and I cant get to the boat to check the clearance. As soon as I can get to the boat, I’ll check the clearance level for the size I will need. What size starboard did you use on yours? Let me know the store number of your nearest LOWES or HOME DEPOT and I'll have it shipped there and you can pick it up. Or send me a PM with your mailing info and I will order a Rotozip circle cutter tonight and have it shipped to your place. What model Roto zip do you have?

Thanks, Sammy

 

[magstang1]

I have the same speakers. That will make things a little easier.

I think I used 3/4 starboard. I'll have to measure again to be sure. I only had enough for mine. I bought a piece off of eBay for around $20. It just depends on what thickness you will need but we will need some more starboard.

Obviously I can make them any diameter you want. I used a 3/8" round over. I could use a 1/4" round over to trim them down a little more for you. If you don't want the corners rounded I could just put a slight chamfer on them to clean up the edge. If you look closely that's what I did on the inside surface of mine.

Get your measurements and we can go from there.

 

[Knot It]

Great! I like how you did yours, they have a nice clean rounded edge. Do the same next time. I'll get the depth measurements as soon as we can get near our boat...hopefully it will be this weekend and then I'll order the starboard and have it shipped to you. Just PM me with your address. Do you need the speaker cut out measurements? How do you want to get the circle cutter? Is there a LOWES or HOME DEPOT near you? They both have this circle cutter http://www.homedepot.com/p/t/203362...&productId=203362526&R=203362526#.UXdIOEIo5jo and it says it will fit all models of the Roto Zip. If this will work for you let me know and Ill get it shipped to the store (they have it at both LOWES and/or HOME DEPOT) nearest you and you can just stop in and pick it up.

 

[magstang1]

As long as you have the JL M650 speakers, I already have all the measurements. I just bought a set myself. I still have the factory template.

I do have a Home Depot and Lowes near me. I'll have to check my Roto Zip. It's an older model that my grandfather gave me. I'll take a look at it tonight. I'll also take some measurements of the rings that I made so you can make sure the outside diameter will work for your boat. I think I made the ring about 1" larger than the speaker, 1/2" on each side.

The easiest way to check depth since your already have spacers is to put a chunk of clay on the back of your speaker. Reinstall your speaker and spacer, molding the clay to the shape of the void behind the speaker. Remove everything and measure how thick the clay is. Then you can find some starboard slightly thicker than your measurement.