How to get grill cloth with front of cabinet? Bluesbreaker style

[dbishopbliss]

I'm about to build some cabinets for my amps and I will be making speaker cabinets while I'm at it. I want the grill cloth to be flush with the front of the cabinet. More like a Marshall Bluesbreaker style cabinet than a Fender or a Marshall 4x12 cabinet where the baffle is set back.


I've have been searching for plans and videos, but I haven't seen anyone show how the baffle is mounted. I believe the baffles are usually 5/8" baltic birch with 3/8" strips around the perimeter to keep grill cloth from flapping on the baffleboard and making noise. There are no screws on the front of the cabinet. Is the baffle just set on to cleats in the cabinet and then attached using wood screws? I'm guessing the holes in the cleats are larger than the screws so they don't actually bite into the cleat and then they screw into the baffle.


If this is correct, how many screws to attach the baffle? Like every 2 inches or 4 inches or 6 inches?


Thanks for your help.

[sluckey]

Is the baffle just set on to cleats in the cabinet and then attached using wood screws?

That's the fastest and most common method. Space about 2-4 inches. I like to have equal distance between screws so the spacing varies depending on the size of the cab.

I used 1/4=20 threaded brass inserts and 1/4-20 hex bolts for my last speaker cab. Takes longer but not as many bolts needed IMO. Pics at this link...

     http://sluckeyamps.com/TVcart/TVcart.htm

[dbishopbliss]

Looks like you used these: https://www.mcmaster.com/90016A029/


What do you mean it takes longer? Is that because you have to drill the holes for the inserts and install the inserts instead of just screwing into the wood.

[sluckey]

Yes I did. Easy to install but it takes a little time. I like the results but I'm not sure the effort is worth it. Most people think you're supposed to put a screwdriver in the slot to install these. WRONG! Watch this short video to see the correct way to install.

     

[scstill]

Is the baffle just set on to cleats in the cabinet and then attached using wood screws?

That's the fastest and most common method. Space about 2-4 inches. I like to have equal distance between screws so the spacing varies depending on the size of the cab.

I used 1/4=20 threaded brass inserts and 1/4-20 hex bolts for my last speaker cab. Takes longer but not as many bolts needed IMO. Pics at this link...

     http://sluckeyamps.com/TVcart/TVcart.htm

Timely....
Love the TV cart conversion. Gonna try that sometime.
The brass inserts is a great idea for mounting the baffle.
I was just going to use wood screws with a collar on the front ala vintage Supro.
Would these two mounting approaches be equivalent?
What about using the brass inserts for the speaker mount rather than t-nuts?

[sluckey]

What about using the brass inserts for the speaker mount rather than t-nuts?

Good idea! Wish I had some. But I only had 8-32 t-nuts, no 8-32 threaded inserts.

[acheld]

These are a lot less fuss to use, and they hold up well over years.

https://www.mojotone.com/amp-parts/Speaker-Mounting/Speaker-Mounting-Screw-w-Wood-Machine-Thread-w-lock-nut_2

[shooter]

used T-nuts building my climbing gym, 25yrs ago, never had a fail with them, except kids moving holds and bugger'n threads............