[Sonny]

hi there, I've built and installed drivers to cabinets, as we as removing them, but I still haven't found a good way to remove the drivers (quickly and safely) from the cabinets. 

I use the weather strips seals, which is sticky on both sides...does a great job of sealing but a pain in the arse to take out.

Any advice will be great!  Note that the drivers are flush to the cabinet and there's no getting anything in to pry out without damaging both drivers and cabinets.

T

[Wayner]

Sonny, I use the tool dentists have. You know, the sharp stainless steel scraper/hook that they use to scrape your teeth.  It has a long straing handle and a pointed end, bent into an "L" at the end. You stick the bent pin into the speaker mounting hole, move the point in under the cast basket frame and lift out. Sometimes you can get this tool at a hardware store, or I know you can get it at www.partsexpress.com in the tools section.

Go here: http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=360-083

Wayner

[douglesc]

You could use a SMALL amount of Plumbers Putty.........it never hardens and if you want to get them out some of the time, it would work great IMHO.

[richidoo]

Very heavy recessed bass drivers can be removed safely by removing all but the bottom (6 o'clock) screw. The weight of the magnet holds the driver in place. Then hold the bottom of the driver against the baffle while unscrewing the bottom screw. When you're ready let the bottom edge slide out slowly and grab it with two hands.

This thread caught my eye because I built a pair of pine bookshelf boxes last month.  The driver had a slight friction fit in the rabbet, I should have backed off then but I wanted to "hear the music." After a month the wood swelled and locked the drivers in place. I had to cut off the back wall of the box and pound them out with a rubber mallet.    Thankfully I had to shorten the box anyway due to design error, but from now on I will always route the holes 1/16" too big.  Hopefully you won't have to resort to that Sonny! 

I use a gasket material from Homedepot which is 3/8" wide soft silicone rubber profile with adhesive on one side, and a empty air balloon on the other side. Works good.

[Sonny]

Sonny, I use the tool dentists have. You know, the sharp stainless steel scraper/hook that they use to scrape your teeth.  It has a long straing handle and a pointed end, bent into an "L" at the end. You stick the bent pin into the speaker mounting hole, move the point in under the cast basket frame and lift out. Sometimes you can get this tool at a hardware store, or I know you can get it at www.partsexpress.com in the tools section.

Go here: http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=360-083

Wayner

Thanks Wayner,
I was reading some of the reviews of those tool and they say that it bends easy...but some similar to that will work.
Thank again!
T

[Sonny]

Very heavy recessed bass drivers can be removed safely by removing all but the bottom (6 o'clock) screw. The weight of the magnet holds the driver in place. Then hold the bottom of the driver against the baffle while unscrewing the bottom screw. When you're ready let the bottom edge slide out slowly and grab it with two hands.

This thread caught my eye because I built a pair of pine bookshelf boxes last month.  The driver had a slight friction fit in the rabbet, I should have backed off then but I wanted to "hear the music." After a month the wood swelled and locked the drivers in place. I had to cut off the back wall of the box and pound them out with a rubber mallet.    Thankfully I had to shorten the box anyway due to design error, but from now on I will always route the holes 1/16" too big.  Hopefully you won't have to resort to that Sonny! 

I use a gasket material from Homedepot which is 3/8" wide soft silicone rubber profile with adhesive on one side, and a empty air balloon on the other side. Works good.

 

THanks, I've tried to let gravity take hold, but the seal is too good, and my speakers are sealed, so, it's like a suction as well.

I found a pair or tweezers made by revlon that my work...http://www.drugstore.com/products/prod.asp?pid=183864&catid=24584

Tuan

Thanks

[jules]

THanks, I've tried to let gravity take hold, but the seal is too good,

I'm not sure to what extent you've tried gravity but how about this for an idea ...

Unscrew all the retaining screws so that they only have a couple of turns remaining. Place the speaker box face down on the floor giving gravity and time the chance to work together. If you have a flat, soft surface and the drivers don't have far to fall, maybe you could just remove the screws entirely.

Sorry, doesn't fulfill the "quickly" criterion but it would be safe.

jules