quinlanmw Posted December 5, 2008 Author Share Posted December 5, 2008 Continued... There's a reason I haven't posted a picture that shows both speakers for a while. Once I had the top assembly completed on the first one, I couldn't stop myself. I continued on it until complete. Here's a front view of the top half. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quinlanmw Posted December 5, 2008 Author Share Posted December 5, 2008 Here's a full view of the front. Full disclosure again...remember I mentioned the glue squeeze out around the bottom trim would cause me headaches? After it dried, I had to get it off because I knew it wouldn't take the stain and would look unsightly. I carefully scraped with a razor blade, which actually worked fine. The only problem is that I scraped too deeply in one area and peeled off some of the outer laminate which I had been so careful not to sand through at the beginning of this project. How could I have been so stupid? Strangely, when I started peeling off thin strips of the lamination the peelings had exactly the same appearance as the glue peelings. I only realized it when I wiped the waste aside and then it was obvious. I was sick. All I could do was fill and hope for the best. At the top edge of the bottom trim, to the right of center, you can see the results of this mishap. I'm not sure why it stained so darkly here...I had filled a couple of other spots with far better results, but it is what it is. I've tried to be forthcoming with all my mistakes, in the hopes that it may help someone else from making the same ones. Sorry, though, no closeup of this one. I told you I was sick about it. I still am. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quinlanmw Posted December 5, 2008 Author Share Posted December 5, 2008 Here's a full view from the back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quinlanmw Posted December 5, 2008 Author Share Posted December 5, 2008 From the right side... By the way, I followed religiously the measurements and dimensions provided by Greg Roberts in his response to another forum member's questions in a thread a couple of months ago. That thread was entitled similarly to this one..a search should bring it up. My photos verify those measurements (not that you should doubt them..sorry, Greg)..they are spot on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill H. Posted December 5, 2008 Share Posted December 5, 2008 Thanks so much for the Detailed, beautiful transformation............. you are truly named, just like the Song............ "The Mighty Quinlan"............... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quinlanmw Posted December 5, 2008 Author Share Posted December 5, 2008 And a shot from the left side. More later. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garymd Posted December 5, 2008 Share Posted December 5, 2008 I've been quietly following your progress and wanted to tell you what a fabulous job you are doing. It is spectacular! Congrats. For a short while you will notice every flaw but within a few weeks, you'll forget about them completely and nobody else will ever see anything but the gorgeous and professional looking veneer job. Very impressive!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quinlanmw Posted December 5, 2008 Author Share Posted December 5, 2008 I explained earlier that once I had the top section of the first speaker finished I just continued until it was complete...part of the reason was the new amp I bought to drive the "new" Klipschorns. I ordered it hoping the delivery would coincide with completion of the speaker project, but the project ran long of my estimates and the amp had been connected to some bookshelf speakers while I worked on the Khorns. As soon as the first speaker was finished I moved it in and hooked it up, in spite of the fact I would only be hearing one channel for a while. Here's the first "new" Klipschorn, back in its original home... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quinlanmw Posted December 5, 2008 Author Share Posted December 5, 2008 As I moved on to complete the second speaker I regretted a little my earlier decision to push through on the first..it took more brain cells than it should have to duplicate the steps and lessons I had learned with the first. But I managed not to screw it up and finished it, moving it in about four days later. Here's the second "new" Klipschorn moved into its "new" home..it used to be in the opposite corner. I managed to win that battle with the interior decorator...don't ask what it cost me. You may notice in the left of the picture the passage to the kitchen appears to have wire tacked around it...yep, that's 14 gauge speaker wire. Interestingly, I moved that speaker in and connected it on Thanksgiving day, with dinner guests on the way. I'm still surprised my wife let me get away with that one, but she had seen how hard and for how long I had worked on these. Maybe it was her way of telling me they looked good and she was happy to no longer have to live with those "hideous monstrosities", as she used to call them. By the way, that wire will be concealed by molding. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quinlanmw Posted December 5, 2008 Author Share Posted December 5, 2008 Another shot of Klipschorn ser # 19X721, just to prove I didn't forget the insignia badge... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quinlanmw Posted December 5, 2008 Author Share Posted December 5, 2008 And another of ser# 19X722. I guess these aren't KDBRs anymore, so maybe losing the original labels isn't such a bad thing.. More later... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Islander Posted December 5, 2008 Share Posted December 5, 2008 For a short while you will notice every flaw but within a few weeks, you'll forget about them completely and nobody else will ever see anything but the gorgeous and professional looking veneer job. Very impressive!! I agree, it's beautiful work.BTW, a friend of mine, who is a house builder, naturally built his own house. However, part-way through, he realized that his level (one of its bubbles) was not accurate, so some of his walls were not plumb. He punched out the bad bubble and carried on, but it bugs him that his house is not as straight as he could have made it, although no-one else would ever notice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quinlanmw Posted December 5, 2008 Author Share Posted December 5, 2008 I would be remiss if I didn't take this opportunity to give another shout out to Greg Roberts. Not having seen a completed "B" model in 26 years, there is no way I could have pulled this off without the detailed information Greg provided on his website, on this forum, and in replies to some of the ridiculous questions I asked him in emails. I'll say again, if you are of a mind to convert your decorator models, or just restore your Khorns that have seen better days, and you can afford it, I'm confident you couldn't go wrong having Greg do the work. If you haven't visited his web page then go there and you'll see what I mean (dcchomes.com/Mkhorn.html)--you're in for a treat. Not only does Greg do incredible work, but he obviously approaches it with a deep affection for these fantastic speakers, and exercises a level of attention to detail that distinguishes him as a true craftsman. I'm still astounded by Greg's generosity in sharing his tips and tricks of the trade, especially since he restores these professionally. Thanks again, Greg..you ARE the man. And you even use a manual stapler! A few more thoughts for amateurs like me who are considering embarking upon this project...I was reviewing some records and realized this job took nearly three months. I worked on them, for varying periods, I think every day except for 5 days off when we went out of town. It requires a tremendous investment of time. As for tools, the jointer, table saw, router, and air stapler came in handy. But the work can definitely be done with hand planes, circular saw, jig saw and hand tools. Having said that, it was a lot of fun and tremendously satisfying. This project was so much fun I am even considering picking up some vintage Heresy's in need of some love and restoring them. Anyone have an idea what I should expect to pay for Heresy's in good working order but poor cosmetic condition? Thanks to the members of this forum. I lurked around for months before posting...you've really shown me what a great community of Klipsch lovers this is. And thanks to those of you who have posted responses to my postings here. Mike Quinlan P.S.--Here's another shot of the hideous monstrosities I started with.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rcarlton Posted December 5, 2008 Share Posted December 5, 2008 Terrific thread. Thank you for the detailed description and photo's. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soundbound Posted December 5, 2008 Share Posted December 5, 2008 You did a beautiful job on them. [Y] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevinmi Posted December 6, 2008 Share Posted December 6, 2008 Excellent job! Makes me want to re-do my Khorns (again). -kevin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Groomlakearea51 Posted December 6, 2008 Share Posted December 6, 2008 Go for it!!! working on a project like that is the best "stress" therapy I've ever experienced (and Lord knows I always need therapy!!!!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marvel Posted December 6, 2008 Share Posted December 6, 2008 Mike They look really, really nice. I am amazed at how nice the grain is on the fronts, since they were decorators.Congrats on getting them finished.VERY nice WAF now. If someone had real beaters, I suppose you could put punched tin and trim on the front and tell folks they were matching pie safes. Yours look so nice, the wife will probably be showing them off to visitors. Bruce t Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colterphoto1 Posted December 13, 2008 Share Posted December 13, 2008 Beautiful work there Mike, and yes Greg is extraordinarly gracious with tips. I'm amazed at how beautiful that old birch has become since you took such care in finishing it. And don't sweat the minor mishaps. I had some in my workshop building but I'll never tell. This makes me want to refinish all the birch doors and kitchen cabinets in my 1950 home. Just Stunning! Thanks for the great photos too. Michael Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greg928gts Posted December 19, 2008 Share Posted December 19, 2008 Fantastic job Mike! What a transformation. You should be proud of your work. That ended up being a very informative tutorial. This is a great community of people here, and I'm glad you're a part of it, please be sure to stick around. Greg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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