What glue for tangerine phase plug?

**Cal Weldon** · November 4th, 2012, 07:38 PM

I open a 902-8A to find a loose plug. What is the best glue to use and are there tricks for centering it or for removing the old glue.

Thanks.

**Cal Weldon** · November 4th, 2012, 08:19 PM

It looks like a super glue was used. It also looks like the centring can be done with match book covers. Anyone done this before I start?

**RonSSS** · November 5th, 2012, 12:25 AM

I use super glue. Acetone to remove the glue from the metal. I use an exacto and a microscope to remove from the plug.....but we can't all do that. You just want to avoid gaps so it glues better.

Ron

**Alien_Shore** · November 5th, 2012, 08:57 AM

I need to do the same project...but have it on the shelf for now as I became concerned about centering, and the other considerations listed. Would love to see this process documented - it would be a big help for future DIYers.

**alancohen** · November 5th, 2012, 09:29 AM

I don't know anything about phase plugs, nor their proper installation and alignment, but I do know glue. I'm having a hard time believing that cyanoacrylate (super glue) would be appropriate for this job. Cyanoacrylate is not a very permanent adhesive. Its tend to degrade over time and doesn't stand up well to vibration. I would think a plasticized cellulose based glue would be much better.

**alancohen** · November 5th, 2012, 10:55 AM

I found this on AK: It appears a lightweight epoxy is used. That doesn't bode well for cleaning and reinstalling it. I don't know what the Tangerine plug is made out of, but it's possible the cured epoxy is harder.

**voice of the theater** · November 5th, 2012, 11:38 AM

Originally Posted by alancohen

I found this on AK: It appears a lightweight epoxy is used. That doesn't bode well for cleaning and reinstalling it. I don't know what the Tangerine plug is made out of, but it's possible the cured epoxy is harder.

Very interesting Altec literature Alan! Any chance you can post a larger (higher resolution) version of it? The file/sizing is so small that I have to zoom in on it to try to read it and then it's all pixelated. I think the Altec Users Board may resize files like this one (makes them low res) when you upload them that way?

**alancohen** · November 5th, 2012, 11:44 AM

Here's a link to where I found it. Scroll down the page...

Metallic "tick" from altec horn? - Page 2 - AudioKarma.org Home Audio Stereo Discussion Forums

**alancohen** · November 5th, 2012, 11:49 AM

It seems the picture manager resized the images. Is this better?

**Cal Weldon** · November 5th, 2012, 12:45 PM

Thanks for the responses so far.

Originally Posted by RonSSS

I use super glue. Acetone to remove the glue from the metal. I use an exacto and a microscope to remove from the plug.....but we can't all do that. You just want to avoid gaps so it glues better.

Hi Ron, I have removed the glue from the plug and metal by scraping carefully. That took about an hour and then I used non-acetone nail polish remover for the metal and plug. I think acetone can have adverse effects on plastic so I was glad my wife had the other stuff. Mind you the ingredients are very similar and it smells just like acetone. I think the ladies use it on those stick-on type nails so I was thinking it would be ok to use it on the plug. Seemed to work ok.

Originally Posted by Alien_Shore

I need to do the same project...but have it on the shelf for now as I became concerned about centering, and the other considerations listed.

A_S, centering will be easy with two matchbook covers inserted in the gap.

Originally Posted by alancohen

I found this on AK: It appears a lightweight epoxy is used. That doesn't bode well for cleaning and reinstalling it. I don't know what the Tangerine plug is made out of, but it's possible the cured epoxy is harder.

Alan,
The lightweight epoxy seems to be used on everything but the plug. I'm sure that was super glue. Scraping it off was not hard so I can't see that as being epoxy. It also was covering the slits somewhat near the outside of the plug so removing it all was time consuming.

I think I will get the two part epoxy stuff from my local hardware store and will clamp it while it dries.

I decided to reassemble it and remount them to 811 horns while I was waiting for your responses. I did a side by side listen to them with a simple 50?fd cap on each. The one with the plug sounded like an Altec tweeter while the one without was a total midrange. The high end had almost disappeared and the mids were a lot stronger. A true squawker.