DCC Impulses Column - 2
irreparable damage to the speaker. The four holes that are
designed for screw-mounting the speaker need to be plugged.
This can be done by cementing bits of styrene to either side of
them or running a plug of caulk down into them.
Tools
Tools are what make this process go quickly. I was attending a
clinic at a NMRA national convention when Fran Hale, MMR,
was discussing tools and a technique she used. She com-
mented something like, “Now, Miles (Hale, MMR – her hus-
band and co-presenter) does this entirely differently. What
works for me doesn’t work for him.”
The sidebar lists specialized tools I use. In Fran’s vein, you may
find other tools or techniques more to your liking. But this is
a place to start. Also, there are common small tools and office
equipment that I won’t take the time to mention, like scissors
and diagonal cutting pliers.
Consumables
These are the products that you use, and use up. The sidebar
shows what I’ve used in writing this column
Measuring and cutting
Common to the entire process is accurate and repeatable cut-
ting of styrene. So, first Let’s look at how to do this.
It helps if you know how to use calipers. I found a good intro-
duction on line
. You might spend
some time there before you press on. I’ll use calipers in some
unorthodox ways, but it helps to know the proper use. Using
them to scribe lines on styrene, as I show, is not an approved
usage. Yes, it would reduce the accuracy of measurements
over time, due to wear on the points of the jaws. Just like the
MRH-Aug 2014
