Sourcing Ultratouch Insolation

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Bob Brines

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Joined 2003
#1
I am a firm believer in fiberglass for speaker lining/stuffing. What I am using now is either:

OC 703 1" 48"x24" @ ~$10 delivered
Armstrong #420 5/8" 48"x24"' @ ~$10 local Lowe's

I'd like to try UltraTouch. What I find available is 2" 48"x15". What I can get is for $6 a roll at HD (40 mi drive) or ~$10 delivered. Loose UltraTouch intended for blowing is only available is pallet sized lots ~$700 a pop.

Can the 2" bat realistically be split in half to make two 1" bats? If so, UltraTouch would be substantially cheaper than fiberglass and friendlier to work with. I would like to get 1" bats, but an internet search produced nothing.

Hints?

Thanks
Bob
 
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#3
I've used this before from JC Whitney:

Bonded Logic Heat/Sound Insulation - JCWhitney

Appears to be made from old denim. The foil back peels off easily. About a half inch thick.

Maybe the foil could be left on? However, the glue may not stick to the foil well?
 

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#4
Home Depot or local such big box chain?

As I found when building the M10-A10s, the 2" material is rather tightly felted and really rather a pain in the azz to separate evenly and heavy duty fabric shears are required to cut cleanly. Still does create a very small amount of dust when handled thus, but certainly far more friendly than FG

A 1" thick version would be very useful for such builds.

Tom: the 1/2" version that we get locally is backed with a black fabric, to which I find that white PVA - Weldbond, etc ( we actually use a product called Roo Clear Melamine glue) sticks very well.
https://rooglue.com/
 
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#6
#7
Some folks have used the old jute as well as the premium foam underlayment with excellent results when a lot of damping is required, but re-bond foam with all its high density joints has been ~universally shunned AFAIK.

GM
 
#9
Jessman, Frost King...nice Find! I was in my local Kennewick HD two weeks ago and asked them to order some of the Ultra Touch 2" insulation. HD's supplier had the Ultra touch on indefinite backorder so I did not order. Will order Frost King later today. Thanks!
 
#10
xrk971 said:
Has anyone ever tried carpet padding for lining speaker boxes?
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AFAIK the felt type carpet padding has been used for decades for this purpose. Usually available free as scraps from carpet installers.

I've also seen mineralized cellulose insulation recommended in old hifi books/magazines. Can't recall what the trade name of that stuff was. It's not used or made anymore.
 
#11
Greg B said:
AFAIK the felt type carpet padding has been used for decades for this purpose. Usually available free as scraps from carpet installers.

I've also seen mineralized cellulose insulation recommended in old hifi books/magazines. Can't recall what the trade name of that stuff was. It's not used or made anymore.
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Nice tip Greg. For those of us who don't frequent carpet installer shops...

A quick search produced 80 square feet for $56 delivered to your door.
Amazon.com - 8' X 10' SUPREME 32(TM) 100% Recycled Felt Rug Pad
 
#14
You might also try Furniture Upholsterers, both my local ones will sell it by the meter or yard and one will 'hold back' felt that's come out of furniture for me.
Old Divan bed bases are also a source, a quick hack at the cover fabric with a knife will tell you if its got what you want...... Avoid the horrid looking bases though.

If any one in the UK needs a supply, I can get rolls of aprox. 1" thick x 30" wide (dont know roll length though)
 
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#16
Very similar to the fabric backed version we source through Bob as CSS - the bonded backing allows for easy use of white glue, and I've found it flexible enough to wrap around end of the center divider of FrugelHorns - clamp for about 1/2 hour and you're good to go.

I can't imagine the foil backer would make a difference one way or the other.

(is that a challenge 🙄)
 
#17
Sounds like a weekend trip to HD... see if they have it stocked. I have a few small enclosures that need it. I wouldn't think the foil backing would matter once it's secured to the panel surface, so no reason to do anything other than fit it and glue it in.

Regards, KM
 
#20
GM said:
Yep, jute/felt same-same, so best for when a high damping is required.
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OK, thought it might be. Never heard that term for it.

when I was young, Kimberly-Clark's paper based "Kimsul" insulation was popular and seen in Karlson, Bozak and other cabinets (not sure how effective vs fiberglass).
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Yeah, that was the stuff I couldn't remember the name of. I've seen people tearing old rotted Kimsul out of Airstreams being restored. I guess today's recycled blue jean stuff is very roughly similar.
 
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