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Post by Chris on Jan 16, 2015 6:15:05 GMT
Got offered a pair of Castle Kendals for nowt but they will need refoamed. I think Castle can help out with the kits but is it worth it? Also,how do you connect speaker cable to these? Ive always fancied a pair of Castles as I like the look and the fact they're British but I've never heard them. Slightly warm sound I believe? So,is refoaming expensive and difficult? Am I better to just find another pair that work? What's the panels opinion here? www.gumtree.com/p/freebies/pair-wooden-castle-acoustics-speakers/1096554518 |
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Post by MartinT on Jan 16, 2015 6:20:55 GMT
Yes, I would have thought they're worth restoring with a foam kit. You may be able to get them on eBay, there are a lot of speaker re-foam kits around and they're not usually expensive. It's a therapeutic job and your sense of satisfaction will be great after you get them going again  There are a few photos here which may help. |
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Post by Chris on Jan 16, 2015 6:33:21 GMT
Cheers MartinT! Just had a rake about and the kit is £22 so may very well try it!
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Post by John on Jan 16, 2015 6:38:12 GMT
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Post by Chris on Jan 16, 2015 6:44:22 GMT
Cool. Yip had a look on you tube and it seems fairly straightforward(famous last words). He mentions reconing but I'm not sure about that. I think he just means the surrounds. Fingers crossed.
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Post by ChrisB on Jan 16, 2015 7:21:14 GMT
Easy job Chris. I've refoamed several pair of speakers. The scary bit is cutting the dust cap and centering the voice coil, but there is a fantastic trick with a battery that means you don't have to do that at all if you don't want to. If you go for it, I'll be happy to tell all.
I like the Castles from that time - I had a pair of Pembrokes from a bit later than those but Kendals are nice too, my Dad has had a pair for years. Banana plugs only for the connections!
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Post by ChrisB on Jan 16, 2015 8:59:24 GMT
Here's a few before/during/after photos of the first speaker I ever did Chris, it shows that even a clumsy tosspot like me can make a reasonable job at their first attempt.    It was the mid-range driver from a pair of Acoustic Research speakers which I bought in order to try a refoam job before I had a go at a pair of much valued speakers. The clean-up job takes the longest time - getting the scraps of the old foam off the cones and the metal frame. It's something you need to take a little care over. I do the delicate work with various craft knives of different sizes and patience. I apply the glue with a syringe and a blunt needle. I do the inside rim first and the outside after the inner has set properly. |
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Post by Chris on Jan 16, 2015 9:04:07 GMT
Cheers ChrisB!
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Post by Chris on Jan 16, 2015 16:04:00 GMT
Tell me as well gents - is there any point in hooking these up to an amp before starting the work? Will I learn anything by doing this?
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Post by MartinT on Jan 16, 2015 16:14:03 GMT
No. Fix them and they'll be fine.
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Post by ChrisB on Jan 16, 2015 18:41:22 GMT
Despite the advice of the odd 'expert' on Ebay who will insist that things like this have no effect on sound quality, I would agree with Martin & just get set to & do the job Chris.
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Post by Chris on Jan 17, 2015 14:23:49 GMT
So got the speakers and opened them up by taking the big woofer out. No problem. Tidied them up a wee bit and noticed there was two different kinds of wire running to them. One kind in one speaker and a much thinner kind in the other. It'll be no problem but is it worth changing out? It'll need a wee bit soldering but shouldn't be a problem. I was thinking of changing it for this - pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&alt=web&id=291023008173 Ive also found these which look perfect - What's in a kit Matched foam surrounds Non Toxic adhesive Brush Shims Swabs Detailed Instructions Online Tech Help) Model - Chester Conway Durham Kendal Pembroke Richmond Seven Stirling Tay - Kit Cost P&P Total - 2 x 6" Kit £18.40 £4.10 £22.50 2 x 8" Kit £18.80 £4.10 £22.90 sales@speaker-repairs.co.uk |
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Post by MartinT on Jan 17, 2015 14:27:21 GMT
They could be an unmatched pair. I would definitely change the internal wiring.
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Post by Chris on Jan 17, 2015 14:28:38 GMT
Serial no.s match up. 1985 and 1986. Do you think that wire would be awrite?
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Post by ChrisB on Jan 17, 2015 15:55:53 GMT
I like to use my normal speaker cable for internal wiring Chris - do you have any spare kicking about?
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Post by MartinT on Jan 17, 2015 17:03:43 GMT
I used Black Rhodium Twist for rewiring my Gales. Good stuff and not too expensive.
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Post by Chris on Jan 17, 2015 17:10:04 GMT
Yip,ChrisB wee bit extra there. Cheers!
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Post by Chris on Feb 6, 2015 20:02:03 GMT
Ok so ordered up a few bits n bobs to be ready for me when I get home.
Some advice though please - what does the panel think would work best internally out of these;
Etfe 16awg wire,ptfe 0.4or 2mm enamelled copper wire?
Is there any reason I CANT use any of these internally?
I've also ordered up the foam surrounds as well for £12.
As always your help and advice is appreciated.
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Post by istari_knight on Feb 7, 2015 11:08:18 GMT
IME anything over 1.5mm can be a bit cumbersome inside a speaker cabinet, its nice to use the same stuff as between amp>speakers but not the end of the world... I always use Van Damme / Fisual.
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Post by MartinT on Feb 8, 2015 17:27:21 GMT
Anything too stiff runs the risk of resonating/buzzing inside the cabinet. Use sleeving and ensure that none of it rests directly against the driver when reassembling. If you can use the same cable as you'll be using externally then all the better.
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