3D printed soundbox / reproducer version #3

[@Timothycan]

Seems to work well. One thing I wondered is if the wire for the needle arm (from the centre of the diaphragm to the needle) is stiff enough? Most soundboxes seem to have this cut from a flat piece rather than wire, wider at the needle end and tapering towards the diaphragm end. Thus being very rigid in the direction of movement of the vibration, but not too much mass near the diaphragm centre.

[@mrrgstuff]

Yes, you are correct. The wire I am using is a compromise. It probably should be stiffer, and it should taper. The HMV/Victor No.4 is a tapering wire, but yes, most soundboxes use a flat needle bar which will be easier to manufacture. It's on my list as an improvement for a future design. Thanks 👍😀

[@HaggisCat1]

@@mrrgstuff Yes, needs a stiffer needle arm as Timothycan says.

[@mrrgstuff]

@@HaggisCat1 I might go for a flat triangular one with this as it should be easier to manufacture. Thanks 😀 👍

[@garyandleslied]

That's really neat. You did a very good job.

[@mrrgstuff]

Thanks 👍😀. Glad you liked it

[@nickball69]

A Better triangular section needle bar Will give you less elastic distortion during powerfull transients. If the force point and the diaphgram are not centered you lose a lot of sound. Your test are beatifull please continue. I Will follow tour improvement

[@mrrgstuff]

Thanks 😀 👍. Glad you have enjoyed them. I hope to get back to working on soundboxes fairly soon. 😀

[@matthewrichards88]

I am impressed! I thought the Sound box sounded really great. Everything made from scratch and the diaphragm as well really impressed. I couldn't hear any buzzing or blasting of any kind! (That is a pet peeve of mine I'm always listening out for anything like that) but flawless this to me!

[@mrrgstuff]

Thanks 👍😀. I was a bit concerned about the diaphragm, and did wonder if it was blasting a little on the loud notes, but great to know it sounds good to you. I will do some more tests with it, but off camera I tried a medium tone needle on another record with the volume doors open, and it sounded just like a commercial sound box to me. 😊

[@christo930]

If by blasting you mean something kind of akin to clipping (breaking up on the loudest notes), I did hear of that. But otherwise I thought it sounded great.

[@mrrgstuff]

Yes, it was the breaking up on the loudest notes I noticed too. Might try some different diaphragms to see if it helps. Thanks 👍😀

[@christo930]

@@mrrgstuff I'm not up to date on the words, so I wasn't sure what "blasting" is. Looking forward to your next version.

[@mrrgstuff]

@@christo930 I'm not 100% sure what gramophone/phonograph users mean by 'blasting' 😉 but it seems to get used to describe a harsh unnatural sound during playback. I'm not entirely sure if the break up on loud volume counts, but its certainly something I could improve upon in the future. Thanks 👍😀

[@komatlanagavenkataganapath4355]

Thanks for sharing grand pha's days technology, simply superb technology,

[@mrrgstuff]

Thanks 😀 👍. Glad you enjoyed it

[@terrycard6775]

That is really cool good job. I love this channel.Best wishes Terry uk 🇬🇧

[@mrrgstuff]

Thanks, glad you enjoyed it 😀👍. Lots more ideas for videos for the future too 😀

[@Mrpurple75]

Nice, looking forward to more

[@mrrgstuff]

Thanks 👍😀. Certainly more on the way! 😉🤔😊

[@elycegrimes7205]

Is there any chance you could release the files for this? I have an idea and this would be a great start with how good you’ve managed to make it sound!

[@kaluvanhariharan4256]

Very nice and interesting this DIY. Do you post mechanical the turntable DIY.

[@mrrgstuff]

Thanks 👍😀. I have built a turntable as part of this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/sHLEh4CcgcSjq80 There is a different one in this playlist too: kzbin.info/aero/PLsCYUbO6xxnS62ktH0BS54tu94CK3_HJ3

[@davidk6271]

Very good work, you should be pleased with how this came out. With regards to the diaphragm, would it be easier to form if you made some kind of jig to go on your lathe and then offer up the tool as it spins? Cheers, D.

[@mrrgstuff]

Thanks 👍😀. Yes I was thinking only this morning that I should be able to form the diaphragm on the lathe by rotating the die. At the minute though I am experimenting with making flat diaphragms on the lathe which will appear in an upcoming video 😀

[@しめさば-v2y]

AWSOME !

[@mrrgstuff]

Thanks 👍😀

[@christo930]

Have you tried in previous attempts to use the bottom of a can of soup or something for the diaphragm? It seems to me those foil pans are just not thick or stiff enough.

[@mrrgstuff]

Yes, I have tried a variety of materials. This video is a comparison of different (flat) metal ones: kzbin.info/www/bejne/l37ViWuqo5Knj6s The flat aluminium performs poorly, but is significantly better with the indented rings (corrugations) as they stiffen up the middle, but leave the edge more flexible. This video shows this: kzbin.info/www/bejne/o3yUk3qeltOknJY I have also tried various plastic diaphragms: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jqKknX2MpbNmkK8 One of the best simple diaphragms is the metal base of a Pringles tube. Thanks 👍😀

[@christo930]

@@mrrgstuff The corrugation rings is why I asked you about the bottom of a soup can or maybe tunafish cans, as these can bottoms usually have these rings for extra strength and rigidity. It is surprising at just what a difference little things like that make on the strength and rigidity of steel or aluminum. It is the reason why you pretty much cannot find a single flat piece of metal in a car. Completely flat metal is surprisingly plastic. Thanks for the links, I'll check them out.

[@mrrgstuff]

@@christo930 Yes, its a fair point, those corrugations in a soup can will act just like on a diaphragm. I am sure it would work (and am sure I have seen such a can used as a diaphragm). I think the metal though would be too rigid and might wear the record unnecessarily. Thanks 👍😀

[@christo930]

@@mrrgstuff So if the diaphragm has too much resistance to moving in and out, that will cause excess wear on the record? I did not know that. Is there any reason you cannot use mica? I think that is what many of them were made of originally with cork gaskets. I wonder if there is a softer material you can put behind the diaphragm The O rings are fairly soft, but perhaps cork of some other soft material would work?

[@mrrgstuff]

Sorry, only just seen this comment. Mica would work fine, but I don't have a suitable one on hand for this size of soundbox. The size was based around the O rings, and yes they are not as soft as they could be so I could make another version with softer gaskets and mica. Corrugated aluminium sheet works pretty much as well, if not better than mica as it is stiff in the middle and flexible at the edges. Thanks 👍😀

[@gunnarthefeisty]

are there print files for this

[@mrrgstuff]

No, not yet. I am still refining the design and I may make them available at some point. Thanks 👍😀

[@YeshuaGod22]

you don't happen to own a stringed instrument of any sort? I'd love to know if a wire looped onto one of the strings right beside the bridge would agitate a pleasant tone out of a soundbox.

[@mrrgstuff]

I don't think I have anything suitable. There are devices for agitating a soundbox without the use of a needle, and I would like to try building one of those. Thanks 👍😀

[@rocketaroo]

It sounds ok, which is quite an achievement.

[@mrrgstuff]

Yes, I think considering that really was the first test and I did no tuning on it, it worked surprisingly well. Thanks 👍😀

[@SwedishEmpire1700]

Make those and sell as a kit

[@mrrgstuff]

Thanks 👍😀. I would honestly consider it. Do you think there would be much demand?

[@gunnarthefeisty]

@@mrrgstuff with this fidelity? certainly

[@mrrgstuff]

Thanks 👍😀. I certainly would be happy to make a few or one to order. If you (or anyone else) is interested then please email me (email is listed in my KZbin about) and we can agree on something