Under Developement
Driver Fastening
Driver mounting can have a significant effect on performance, as well as being an obvious potential source of problems. Screws are most commonly used, generally pan-head phillips type of appropriate size. These are often either black oxide coated or have painted or epoxied heads, to match the driver frame.
Commonly also used are "T nuts", like those sold at the following link:
https://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&Partnumber=081-1070
These are used, often in conjunction with socket head screws, for a solid mounting that can be screwed and unscrewed repeatedly without compromising the integrity of the baffle material. Screws can sometimes be repeatedly used, but it requires care, and a good baffle material, preferably a solid wood or very high quality ply that will not de-laminate.
Do not overtorque the driver mountings, as you can deform the frame, and apply pressures to the suspension components, which may increase nonlinear distortion, and weaken any seal between baffle and frame. Hand tight is sufficient.
Gasketing
Most driver installations use some type of gasket between frame and baffle. This serves primarily to prevent air leakage, but also can have an effect in dampening the driver frame. It is generally considered good practice to use a lightweight closed cell foam, like weatherstripping. Some drivers come with gaskets attached or packaged with the units.
Other materials used are rubber and cork.
Gaskets sometimes are not strictly necessary, but generally good practice to use them. In dipoles, since there is no pressure build up, the gasket is less important, so long as there is a good flat connection between the frame and baffle.
Backwave Treatments
Many builders choose to put a bevel or roundover on the backside of a baffle using a router, to prevent inhibition of the backwave. This is good practice, though one must use care not to compromise the driver mounting in doing so. This is generally accomplished by leaving 'landings' where the screws are to mount.
Flush Mounting
This is the machining of a baffle so that the front of the driver frame sits flush with the front of the baffle. This is generally considered good practice in most instances. Sometimes it's not necessary, as with frames designed to be surface mounted, or with certain midwoofer applications. There is more on this in other parts of this wiki.
