Altec A7-500 Woofer Removal?

[Jimmy-time]

Restoring Altec A7-500's. Project going well until I attempted to remove a woofer. Removed 4 bolts and speaker remained stuck in place to back board. How can I remove speakers without damaging them. I would have to refinish the cabs with them in place and covered with plastic, front and back. Also if left in place, the original tar/sealant around the cone sticks to everything. Anyone have an idea? Much appreciation.
Jimmy-time

[VolvoHeretic]

The hardware stores sell something called a "painters tool" which is a sharpened putty knife looking contraption with a point on one side and a circular notch for cleaning rollers. That should let you carefully cut the stuck on paint away from the cork gasket by inserting it along the circumference. Good luck.

I always smear a little Vasaline on gaskets to keep them from sticking in the future although I have never done this to a speaker gasket yet, only car parts, because I have never reinstalled a speaker.

[Altec Best]

Do your cabs have the removable back panel at the top ? If so the cork gasket around the front of the frame is stuck.. I wouldn't restore the cabs until you remove the woofers...

If you have a very thin putty knife or a 5-in-1 painters tool work around the very outside of the frame on the woofer gently twisting to pry it off.. Be careful and take your time not to hit the cone or bend the frame.. If you work all the way around that edge it should come loose..And be ready to catch it as it may just pop off after a certain point... Do you have some photos ?

EDIT: Never fails as I post something someone always seems to beat me to the punch ! I need to get that Dragon software so I can speak my thoughts instead of typing... Sorry VH

[VolvoHeretic]

No worries AB, you explained it better anyway.

[aditya]

I always smear a little Vasaline on gaskets to keep them from sticking in the future although I have never done this to a speaker gasket yet, only car parts, because I have never reinstalled a speaker.

Its a good idea. Thanks for sharing it. I think if it is applied to the area on the baffle board where the driver comes into contact with it, any contaminating effect if at all is there, will be greatly minimized.

[Jimmy-time]

Awesome information. I thought I was doomed. I tightly fitted heavy plastic around the front and back section of each speaker and did the majority of the prep work on the cab but could not finish around the woofer opening. I will try your method this evening to remove the woofer as I have the 5 in 1 tool. I will start a post/thread with pictures as I have an amazing Altec Voice of the Theater find, and have documented the restoration process on camera. Thanks, Jimmy-time!

[Jimmy-time]

Thanks for the valuable information, really didn't want to destroy something that came to me intact from 46 years ago. Also curious if dusty cones can be cleaned? Will be posting my progress and photos. Thanks, Jimmy-time

[Altec Best]

Looking forward to them Jimmy !

[bowtie427ss]

If they're Altec woofers with doped surrounds that have been in place for a long time, the surround dope has probably migrated and re-set effectively gluing the gasket and part of the surround to the baffle. I wouldn't try to shove anything between the baffle and gasket without first softening with heat, a blow dryer on a medium setting works great for this. Usually a good even application of heat alone is enough, and no prying or tools are necessary.

[gvasale]

Rather than using vaseline which can soak into the wood and paper gaskets a piece of aluminum foil or plastic wrap should do a better job of not having things stick together.