JR1987

The higher the number, the finer the paper, and the less abrasive it is.This means 400 grit sand paper is far more abrasive and will leave more "marks" behind than a finer grit paper. You ALWAYS work your way up with sand paper. If you need more abrasion you use a lower grit, and work your way up to higher numbers"polishing" away the more visible marks. I just want to make sure you don't think 400 grit is finer, you'd make a horrible mistake! It is the internet and it's easy to get confused reading. I have never sanded during finishing except with tung oil, and that was very lightly between coats. Boiled linseed oil: you basically apply, let it soak, wipe it off, use some 0000 steel wool, and repeat the next day (except for the steel wool part). I don't know where you saw that, but I have no idea why someone would do that. The wood will soak it up quick, it doesn't really need to be worked anymore than VERY VERY VERY lightly on the first coat. The problem with stopping at 400 grit would be you will start marring the finish you just worked so hard on putting on. You will see the scratches from the abrasive in the finish when it dries. That's why people go up to 1000 to "polish" away the signs of previous sanding. But like I said, I've never done that with BLO, I do it before to correct any imperfections or remove any stuck on "undesirable" stuff. I've sanded before finishing something (working my way up to finer abrasives) and THEN applied BLO, but never during the process, and only if I was removing a previous finish and some stuff was stuck or there was uneven areas. But with bare wood... some very light finishing before applying, then apply.

Boiled Linseed Oil isn't very difficult to work with, in comparison to stain it may be, but Tung Oil or Linseed Oil (regular non "boiled") are much harder to work with. Boiled Linseed Oil is pretty easy to work with. You rub it in, let it soak, and wipe it off. On the first coat it is recommended that you lightly rub it down with some 000 steel wool. After the first coat it is just a matter of applying, then whipping down. Some people have chosen to water it down to make the process easier, but I don't use a watered down formula until the first few coats are on and I am simply finishing it up. My M1, for example, is finished with BLO and a 1/3 mix of BLO, turpentine, and beeswax. Soon I will add a coat of Tung Oil to make it more water resistant. The BLO is the initial coat and coloring and the mix is a finishing product. I've never found BLO difficult to work with, it's just time consuming. 1 coat a day. Apply, sit, wipe, allow to dry thoroughly, and repeat the next day.

I tried the search function and could not find an answer that suited me. So hopefully an expert can assit. I am looking at a pair of Klipsch Heresy HWO's (72, I think... maybe 79. I forget, the serial number has an S in it). I read somewhere that it is recommended to keep them under 100 watts of supplied power. My current stereo receiver is a Sony at 100 watts 8ohm. My mother has been saying she likes my setup for the TV (let's face it, TV speakers are bad) and I told her when I upgrade she can have my old speakers and receiver. I am currently looking at a Pioneer SX 626 which a spec sheet I found said puts out 27 watts, and another sheet said 110 watts at 4ohm. It's vintage, it's old, but I actually like the style of it. It just looks...fancy. Black and silver are overrated, the fake wood cab just looks cool to me. Anyway, I can't find reliable info online, can anyone help me out?

Mustang is right, you get what you pay for. If you want the best, or even a good "mid range" table expect to pay around 400-600 dollars. I own the next step up, the AP 120 (the non USB version, which they don't make anymore). It works, it plays records well, and it isn't very noisy. Though I have read reviews where people said it hummed a lot when nothing was playing. Mine hasn't done that. I paid around 180.00 for mine. It works well for now, but I am certainly looking at other places. There are a few companies out there that make turn tables still, the name brands like Sony and Panasonic (I think they still make one). But Mustang is right, you get what you pay for.

Very nice work! They look great! Depends what you want to accomplish and what sort of look you want. As far as oils BLO and Tung Oil are common finishes (though Tung Oil can be hard to find). Generally speaking oil's in my opinion look the best, but are the most difficult to deal with. They take a lot longer to get the desired finish you want, unless deeply soaked/dipped. For example I am STILL in the process of refinishing my Russian 91/30 rifle with a BLO beeswax mix. I started this back in July. I am also still working my M1 stock, though it's pretty close to finished. Note, I am doing a "fancier" finish on these two rifles, trying to get a good deep rich color. Tung Oil is even harder to work with, and can stay "wet" for even longer than BLO. You really need to let it sit properly before whipping it down. I've always felt Tung Oil leaves a more "moist" looking finish, while BLO leaves a deep, but "dry" looking finish. Depends how much time you want to take with them, and your taste. Keep us up to date. Those cabs look great.

Those Technics tables are pretty darn reliable. I prefer Direct Drive simply because everyone I know with a belt driven system has had trouble finding new belts. But who knows, everything has it's flaws. But I play my records every day and don't want to be bothered with belts. I am more familiar with the Technics table, and my cheap Audia Technica is basically a rip off of it. So I'd go with Technics. As far as cartridges, I don't know. Im a firm believer in "what the manufacturer recomends". Mostly because I've read too many responses saying "if you didn't buy a 34,000 dollar cartridge you are a moron". That and I don't really know the difference between MC and MM (besides magnent and coil) and low vs high vs medium output. Everyday listening I'd go with the Technics.

Certainly a novice, but I've read that some people argue that the bass is minimized if you raise them off the ground. Ironically that same article also said that is why the author went for the Conrwalls.

We used to have one of those by me as well, they bought used CD's tapes, VHS, DVDs, vinyl, etc. I found a couple cool albums in there, wanted some more but they closed without notice. Shame, it was a cool place.

Vinyl, a copy of Django Reinhardt, The Last Years of Peace. Great collection of his tunes.

Thank's for the input. They are pretty close to perfect, at least for 20+ years.

Last question, I promise . I am currently looking at a pair of Klipsch Heresy II speakers that I could pick up used. They are aesthetically in very good condition (woofer cone on one pushed in slightly), mid 80s. It's at an estate sale in the area and I may run into other bidders. Presuming the speakers are in good working condition and need minimal attention, what is the highest I should go before bidding has become out of control? By the way, very helpful forum and good members. I've participated on many and I must say by far this is the most helpful and friendly forum I have participated on.

The damage to these is a bit more than a water stain. I can see a few chips in the cab and the seller has said the grill is ripped up quiet a bit.The one pair that is 750 is fairly beat up, there is another pair in almost perfect condition that is 1100 dollars. I think I am going to keep shopping. The guy hasn't come back with another offer so I take it he either isn't interested or sold them off already.

Now that I never thought about. I have plenty of experience with guitar amps, but very little with stereo speakers. Good info, thanks guys. I don't mind waiting to find the right pair. One thing I learned during my decade of playing guitar, never settle. Buy what you want, or wait until you can. I bought so many "intermediate" guitars when I was young... I would have had my Gibson 4 years earlier if I just waited and saved my pennies. That's the plan here, I've been tempted several times to just buy cheaper speakers... for now... and get better ones later. But I'd rather save the money now and get the right pair. I think 750 is a little too high, Chicago is a city where finding something is not that hard. There are plenty of fish in the sea, and if worse comes to worse then I'll just save my pennies and dimes and buy a new pair . Not married, so I gotta get all my goodies before I do... before the fun ends.

Chicago, a few have poped up on Craiglist but they are around the same price, that or they are still new enough where the price is so close to a new pair that I might as well buy the new pair. I offered the guy 600 and he hasn't responded back. Like I told him, when I looked at that model year mint (as in need no work) were going for about 700 dollars. I figured it was a too high, but some people think what they have is worth more than what it's actually worth. If the grill was in good shape cab didn't look so worn, I'd probably give him 700 (if all the internals were in good order). Edit: have some experience with Craiglist, never go alone, and never go into someone's house. Very good advice for anyone.

I've been slowly planning to build a stereo system for a few years now. The setup I have no is very cheap, let's just say it was built on a budget. The most expensive piece is my pair of Sennheiser HD 598's, the rest is pretty cheap (Sony receiver just to give you an idea). I am looking to start off by buying a good pair of speakers and I've decided that Klipsch seems to be the best bet. Now I like the traditional old style, like the Cornwall, big; don't know why, looks cool? So I have been looking at used speakers and came across a pair most likely from the late 80s, Cornwall's, and was a bit concerned about over paying for them. The exterior is rough, but nothing a little refinishing can't handle (torn grill, a few chips, etc). I haven't heard them yet, but they are in town so I have the chance to make sure they still work properly. They guy is asking 750, now I've seen almost mint condition speakers in and around that time period going for 700+, but like I said these are rough. Am I wrong on the price? I've also found a pair of Heresy II's for 700 bucks in much better condition and in overall better shape. Again, in the area. Advice on pricing, qualities of each, and what I should look for when looking at a used pair of speakers appreciated.