What glue to use on speakers?

**Heavymental** · 27th March 2006, 13:48

My Epos ES11's have a rubber seal around the woofer that has come unstuck. On some tunes I now get a slappy noise where the loose rubber is vibrating. I need to glue it back onto the main cone but was wondering what to use. Its going to be difficult to put much pressure on as I don't want to take the speaker apart so something that will stick well and quickly would be nice. Any suggestions or will plain superglue be ok?

**hifikrazy** · 27th March 2006, 14:24

You really need a replacement drive unit to be honest (preferably 2 for matching - although im not sure if epos have es11 drivers anymore). Driver repairs are not very easy to do and sometimes do more damage than good when attempting a diy job. There are individuals that might be able to refurbish drivers who usually specialise in older stuff like tannoy and goodmans.

If you were going to attempt it yourself you would probably want stuff that doesnt set brittle, something with a little flex, so possibly not superglue. Perhaps someone else can suggest something more suitable.

**penance** · 27th March 2006, 14:50

Evo-stick sets with a fair amount of flexibility.
But as hifikrazy says, it would be better to replace the driver, also there is a risk of the glue having an adverse effect on the cone materials.

**Paul Dimaline** · 27th March 2006, 18:49

I dont have a link but have a look on the Loctite web page, there is a large (pdf I think) file that gives detailed info on what adhesives to use for all aspects of building a speaker drive unit.
A bit heavy going but quite interesting in parts.

**la toilette** · 27th March 2006, 22:37

I've repaired a couple of pairs Tannoy speakers whose foam surrounds that have gone rotten, the glue used in this process is water based, and I remember reading that you should specifically avoid spirit based glues as these may have an adverse effect on the cone material. I bought my repair bits from speakerbits.com (predominantly because they're the only source of genuine Tannoy foam surround replacement parts for DIY repair that I know of) and you can order speaker repair glue from them, but unfortunately they're based in Australia so postage cost is an issue.

Their glue retains flexibility and I've used it to stick down a flapping rubber surround on some other speakers as well with very satisfactory results.

If it's a case of repair or replace, then you may as well have a go at repairing as you have nothing to lose!

***Tenson*** · 28th March 2006, 01:35

Ask Wilmslow?

**JohnT** · 28th March 2006, 03:31

I've seen a couple of US sites that sell speaker foam repair kits, I believe they use ordinary white PVA glue as also used for woodworking. Here we are:

http://www.newfoam.com/kits.asp
http://www.speakerworks.net/kits.html

Replacing one or two drivers seems a bit drastic for what sounds like a fairly simple re-gluing job if the foam isn't split or damaged and you're prepared to have a go. If not you could try contacting Richard Allan who do a lot of speaker repair work, they can be found here:
http://www.loudspeakersonline.com/

HTH
John

**la toilette** · 28th March 2006, 07:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnT

I believe they use ordinary white PVA glue as also used for woodworking.

I think the glue I used was PVA based, but I'm pretty sure it wasn't the same stuff used for woodwork, as that dries much much harder and I wouldn't think it's a suitable choice.
Good call on the Richard Allan site though, they might be able to offer either advice or repair service - I was just looking at that site yesterday as I picked up a pair of old Richard Allan RA8's for £1 t'other day to go in my workshop!!

**Heavymental** · 28th March 2006, 10:07

Cheers chaps. Will try to glue as its only really a small bit of rubber that is loose and it will glue onto the plastic surface of the driver rather than any fragile material so wouldn't have thought it would do any damage.
Will get in touch with Richard Allen to see what glue he advises.
Cheers,
HM

27th March 2006, 13:48	#1
Heavymental Registered User Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 871	What glue to use on speakers? My Epos ES11's have a rubber seal around the woofer that has come unstuck. On some tunes I now get a slappy noise where the loose rubber is vibrating. I need to glue it back onto the main cone but was wondering what to use. Its going to be difficult to put much pressure on as I don't want to take the speaker apart so something that will stick well and quickly would be nice. Any suggestions or will plain superglue be ok?

27th March 2006, 14:50	#3
penance Arrogant Cock Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Bristol - armpit of the west. Posts: 6,005	Evo-stick sets with a fair amount of flexibility. But as hifikrazy says, it would be better to replace the driver, also there is a risk of the glue having an adverse effect on the cone materials. __________________ I got the napalm blues, from my green tin hat to my combat boots Hill 1098, Nui Ba-Na '67

28th March 2006, 01:35	#6
*Tenson* Admin: Audiosmile Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Kent, UK Posts: 5,620	Ask Wilmslow? __________________ www.audiosmile.co.uk Kensai - Our vision of the ultimate compact speaker Bespoke Supertweeters - Ribbon supertweeters designed for your speakers Modified DEQ / SRC - Affordable high performance DAC and room correction.

28th March 2006, 03:31	#7
JohnT Registered User Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Weymouth, Dorset, UK Posts: 24	I've seen a couple of US sites that sell speaker foam repair kits, I believe they use ordinary white PVA glue as also used for woodworking. Here we are: http://www.newfoam.com/kits.asp http://www.speakerworks.net/kits.html Replacing one or two drivers seems a bit drastic for what sounds like a fairly simple re-gluing job if the foam isn't split or damaged and you're prepared to have a go. If not you could try contacting Richard Allan who do a lot of speaker repair work, they can be found here: http://www.loudspeakersonline.com/ HTH John __________________ Yamaha CDR-HD1500 / PT P1A / MF Trivista 21 +Audiocom L3 / AVI Lab Series / AE3 Reference Mk1

27th March 2006, 14:24	#2
hifikrazy Registered User Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 244	You really need a replacement drive unit to be honest (preferably 2 for matching - although im not sure if epos have es11 drivers anymore). Driver repairs are not very easy to do and sometimes do more damage than good when attempting a diy job. There are individuals that might be able to refurbish drivers who usually specialise in older stuff like tannoy and goodmans. If you were going to attempt it yourself you would probably want stuff that doesnt set brittle, something with a little flex, so possibly not superglue. Perhaps someone else can suggest something more suitable.

27th March 2006, 18:49	#4
Paul Dimaline Registered User Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 135	I dont have a link but have a look on the Loctite web page, there is a large (pdf I think) file that gives detailed info on what adhesives to use for all aspects of building a speaker drive unit. A bit heavy going but quite interesting in parts.

27th March 2006, 22:37	#5
la toilette Downright stupid Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Somerset Posts: 1,213	I've repaired a couple of pairs Tannoy speakers whose foam surrounds that have gone rotten, the glue used in this process is water based, and I remember reading that you should specifically avoid spirit based glues as these may have an adverse effect on the cone material. I bought my repair bits from speakerbits.com (predominantly because they're the only source of genuine Tannoy foam surround replacement parts for DIY repair that I know of) and you can order speaker repair glue from them, but unfortunately they're based in Australia so postage cost is an issue. Their glue retains flexibility and I've used it to stick down a flapping rubber surround on some other speakers as well with very satisfactory results. If it's a case of repair or replace, then you may as well have a go at repairing as you have nothing to lose!

28th March 2006, 10:07	#9
Heavymental Registered User Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 871	Cheers chaps. Will try to glue as its only really a small bit of rubber that is loose and it will glue onto the plastic surface of the driver rather than any fragile material so wouldn't have thought it would do any damage. Will get in touch with Richard Allen to see what glue he advises. Cheers, HM