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How to Recone Antique Radio Speakers

If you collect antique radios, from the large, wooden case floor models to the variety of tabletop or bookshelf radios, you can increase the value and enhance the enjoyment of your hobby by learning the proper techniques for reconing your radio's speakers. With an older radio, it's not as simple as dropping in a new replacement speaker. Reconing a speaker is like building a speaker from scratch.

Things You'll Need

Tools:
Screwdrivers
Wire cutters
Utility knife
Chisel
Sandpaper
Vacuum
Compressed air can
Soldering iron
Solder
Awl
Clear tape
Electrical tape
Cotton swabs.
Parts:
Replacement speaker cone
Voice coil
Spider
Felt dust cover
Tinsel wire, 6 inches
Tube or bottle of recone speaker adhesive

Instructions

- 1
  
  Speaker ssembly
  
  Remove the speaker from the radio housing. Using a utility knife, carefully cut away the old speaker assembly and any old glue from the speaker frame. Be sure to protect the the speaker's air gap from any debris the might fall into the opening. You can use some clear tape to cover the opening
- 2
  Scrape and clean the speaker frame carefully with the utility knife To ensure that the replacement parts will fit properly, use extra care to completely clean the frame of any detritus from the old speaker parts. Use sandpaper to smooth any rough edges, then vacuum away any leftover dust or debris. You can also use compressed air to blow away dust particles.
- 3
  Install the voice coil tightly in place. Slim plastic spacers can be used to center the voice coil with the top plate of the magnet. This is a critical step because proper alignment will ensure the best possible sound.
- 4
  Apply a bead of the adhesive to the frame and place the spider. Apply pressure to properly seat the spider in place. Let the spider dry for at least two hours before proceeding.
- 5
  Put the replacement cone in the frame to ensure proper fit. The edge of the spider should be visible between the edge of the cone and the voice coil. The spider, voice coil and the cone will be glued together using the adhesive. Place a bead of adhesive in the frame--you can used cotton swab to spread the glue, then seat the cone in place. Let the whole assembly stand for a few hours to completely dry.
- 6
  Pierce two small wholes near the voice coil about 1/2 inch apart using an awl or sharp-tipped tool. Thread the replacement wires through the holes and solder them in place on the coil and to the leads on back of the frame. Give the wiring a gentle tug to be sure they are properly connected. Apply a bead of adhesive to seal the holes.
- 7
  Center the voice coil in place and apply adhesive over the solder points. Run a thin bead of adhesive around the voice coil and place the dust cap over the assembly. Allow the entire project to dry for 24 hours before conducting a speaker test. It is best to test the speaker before placing it back into radio.

Antiques