Woofer dust cap repair advice, HELP

I spoke to a speaker manufacturer's customer service department about this issue just last week. They advised that they had done alot of testing on damaged drivers and it was not worth replacing it unless the dent impeded the movement of the cone. In fact, they told me that they had a speaker in their listening room damaged the way yours was when an elementary school class had come for a factory tour, and they had allowed it to remain in their room as is. They also advised that people frequently make matters worse when they use tape to try and fix the dent. Keep the grille cover on so you don't have to be reminded of the dent.

I have had very good luck pulling out dented dust caps using a pin or a needle. Just poke it through the dust cap next to the dent and manipulate it so as to press out the dent from the inside. When you withdraw the pin there will be a tiny hole where the pin was. If this bothers you, plug it with a speck of glue.

Nate,

You need two things, one is a quick fix, the other is more long term, I have both.
1 - Scotch packaging tape is more adhesive than masking tape and works great. Cut a small piece and make sure your fingers do not come into contact with the adhesive. Apply the small piece of tape and just rub it gently with your finger nail. Then leave it for a couple minutes. Pull it out slowly, not directly forward, at an angle so it stays adhered for longer.....voila!
2 - Barbed wire. I have a roll in the garage, it doesn't look good but it sounds ok and works a treat with kids.

Always glad to help

Rooze

The dust cap shouldn't affect the sound. Use blue tack or masking tape to do what you can.

Otherwise, there are speaker repair companies that can cut off the old caps and glue on new ones: Tri-state loudspeaker in Aliquippa Pa is the best I've seen.

Hello Nate. Yes, the smartest thing to do is call Kharma for their professional advice.

However, since you asked, I have a little story for you. Awhile back, I was in a professional music store where they sell band and recording studio equipment. I had a passing interest in a beat up pair of Yamaha NS40 studio monitors. The salesman wanted 50% off retail price and I was only willing to pay 75% off retail considering the cabinets were terribly abused and (3) of the woofer dust caps (made of white paper) were pooched in.

The salesman said the (3) pooched in dust caps were not a problem...and I said yeah, right. Sure enough, the salesman had a technician repair all (3) of them in less than (10) minutes right before my eyes.

The tech carefully hand twisted a 1/16" drill bit into each dust cap. He then straightened out a paper clip, curled the tip of the paper clip slightly with needle nosed pliers, carefully inserted the curled tip of the paper clip into each of the 1/16" predrilled holes, and in just a few short minutes the tech had the dust caps looking like new. The tech finished the job nearly to perfection with (3) small dots of Elmer's white glue.

I then had to eat my words about the pooched in dust caps. Still yet, I had to pass on the 50% off retail before the guy started refinishing the beat up cabinets.

Nate, I hope this helps. I like Elevick's idea above of gluing on new caps if my idea does not work out for you.

Regards,
Dan