U47-style bodies - who can make one?

[Nora]

Just so that no one starts lining up now, we'll make a NEW thread when it gets to that point.  Keep watching and hang tight.

DO NOT start lining up now!  we'll keep this thread for the technical discussions.

Thanks Skylar!

Thanks Brad!


Yes, NO LINING UP at the moment!

 

[FerrariT]

I for one really like the proportions of the suggested PSU case and would love to see it make it into production. It just looks right.

yes i second this please Skylar [or someone] get an estimate on your proto housing!
Especially if production is in the states!
Shipping is way cheaper than other "options", lol!

 

[matta]

I third it... it just looks nicer and fits the retro U47 vibe we are going for. nothing against Purusha's designs, I just would like to see a design that matches the vibe/fell of my mic bodies.

Cheers

Matt

 

[Nora]

...and matches the nice connector

 

[Skylar]

I agree with you guys about the PSU enclosure.

Purusha's case is cool, but doesn't have the "look."




Okay then,

I've received 3 quotes for the body so far.
All of them are higher than my target; one of them is close.


BUT, there are still about 11 shops that I'm waiting for quotes from.
We're getting closer.

Just for sh*ts and giggles, I drew up some of the parts in eMachineShop's brutal software.
Surprisingly, the prices were not that bad!
...so if worse comes to worse, I can do the job through them.
I don't think that eMachineShop will be necessary, but it's a good "Plan B."

I will go ahead and get the PSU enclosure prepared for quotes in the meantime.

 

[Martin B. Kantola]

Excellent work Skylar!

Martin

 

[synthi]

Wow! nice Skylar

 

[Davo]

Nice! Skylar, you rock man!!!

 

[stitch-o]

Seriously Skylar: this is GREAT!


Cheers!

 

[mitsos]

Great work man! thanks for doing all this!

I remember the target being about $100.. Did I dream this or is this what we're shooting for?

 

[Skylar]

Here's something nice to look at:

Okay, that was fun, but BACK TO THE MIC BODIES
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Great work man! thanks for doing all this!

I remember the target being about $100.. Did I dream this or is this what we're shooting for?

The target was $100.

What I've found is that the labor for constructing the headbasket is astronomical [over $100 (one estimate came in at $241.50!)].
I imagine this is because the wire mesh/brass ring assembly is so unique--no standard fab process/no standard tooling.
Microphone factories develop their own proprietary manufacturing techniques & equipment, as evident in the Neumann video.

Now, there are similar assemblies like wire cloth filters, strainers, etc.
These are usually much simpler, using one layer of mesh, one ring, and no vertical strips.
The companies who make these can make headbaskets for us, but the price is quite high.

I'm still confident that the parts for the body can be made for $100 in the US.
But then you'll have to add screws, connectors, wire-mesh, headbasket assembly, finishing, and shipping for all of the various ingredients.
So, the cost starts to go up from there.

What I think I can do to reduce the headbasket cost (and thus the overal cost) is assemble them myself with the help of a couple of my co-workers.
I'll have a die and punch set made that will simplify headbaskets forming. I've already designed the tooling for this.

There's still a lot of pricing that has to come in before a final cost can be determined, but I think it will still be very affordable considering what it is.

 

[FerrariT]

What I've found is that the labor for constructing the headbasket is astronomical [over $100 (one estimate came in at $241.50!)].
I imagine this is because the wire mesh/brass ring assembly is so unique--no standard fab process/no standard tooling.
Microphone factories develop their own proprietary manufacturing techniques & equipment, as evident in the Neumann video.

Now, there are similar assemblies like wire cloth filters, strainers, etc.
These are usually much simpler, using one layer of mesh, one ring, and no vertical strips.
The companies who make these can make headbaskets for us, but the price is quite high.

I'm still confident that the parts for the body can be made for $100 in the US.
But then you'll have to add screws, connectors, wire-mesh, headbasket assembly, finishing, and shipping for all of the various ingredients.
So, the cost starts to go up from there.

What I think I can do to reduce the headbasket cost (and thus the overal cost) is assemble them myself with the help of a couple of my co-workers.
I'll have a die and punch set made that will simplify headbaskets forming. I've already designed the tooling for this.

There's still a lot of pricing that has to come in before a final cost can be determined, but I think it will still be very affordable considering what it is.

Well this is D.I.Y
Some of Us may not mind a Raw materials KIT, so to speak ...
Well me personally I would mind a kit with unfinished raw metal.
If the headbasket assembly needs to be glued or brazed/solder in with a propane torch whats the big deal?
Hell you can get an small oxy torch kit from your local home center for dirt.

as long as these kits had all of the parts I really do not see the problem this is D.I.Y after all.

Skylar I could see you offering RAW kits as I speak for a lower denomination, And tacking on a couple dollars for you & co workers assembly fee.
Depending on the overall costs [of the mic + psu] everybody including myself may shoot for you to assembly.

well im rambling + brain storming ...
Just kicking out some of my thoughts.
either which way, It's sounding good!

 

[Skylar]

Good thoughts.

I know some people will want to "roll their own" and some will want the basket assembled & the parts finished.

What's the consensus?

Who wants a finished kit with headbasket assembled?
Who wants a "raw materials" kit (user supplies screws, wire-mesh, finishing, & assembly of headbasket)?

 

[Jeremy.Starseed]

I trust others' skills more than my own when it comes to metal work, so a more finished kit would be preferred.

 

[synthi]

I`d like to get finished kits... I`m not confident with my skills for the headbasket..
So, count me in for 3 finished kits, maybe four depending on final price!

And thanks for doing this!

 

[Skylar]

Here's something to consider too:

The fewer number of finished kits needed, the higher the price of such kits.

 

[MegaMutt]

Wow guys,

haven't been over this way in a while, but this project looks absolutly amazing...

Great work all around.  I'm more than interested and look forward to this project's progress...

-rich

 

[tommypiper]

Good job, glad to see this maturing nicely.  I especially like the PSU enclosures, as others have mentioned. 

I'm also a big fan of the original style handles on top, with a leather strap and brackets so it can lie down on top of the case.  It won't stick up in the air like a hard obstruction and cause ergonomic and storage and handling problems.

My vote goes towards a raw materials kit. 

In previous work I've contacted a local goldsmith for finishing, I'd rather select the finishes myself on the various mics I hope to do. 

And I'd rather shape my own wire mesh basket and control what I put there (I'll go for minimal mesh, not a multi-layered mesh). I need screws anyway, so why not get my own.

Of course, if there are some parts that are specialized, like screws, we could do a group order on the side.

EDIT: What material will the PSU enclosures be?  I vote for aluminum.

 

[azander]

I'd say it's best to stick to a finished kit in general. In the end, unfinished kits will just increase the cost for everyone collectively. How much is a typical cheap donor mic? Whatever the cost ends up being for a quality finished kit, I'm sure it'll be more than worth it. Anyways, I personally would much rather focus on the electronics than mess around with finishing the kit. But that's just what I think. BTW, awesome work! It looks great, psu casing and all.

 

[Igor]

I don't need PSU, but finnished kit, yes. Qty depends on pricing, 1-5...maybe more
Skylar, good luck with this project! Looking forward to try this body as finnished mic!