Loudspeaker Driver Fittings, Wood Inserts / Spike Fixings

Tee Nuts and Wood Inserts

     Illustrated are examples of wood inserts often used to secure speaker parts and fittings to loudspeaker cabinets. The inserts are available in a range of metric sizes. The most common for speaker building being M4 to M10 sizes. The types can be further defined as Knock-in varieties and Screw-in's.

      Each component design has its own advantages and dis-advantages. Tee Nuts have moderate self-clinching / pull-out but have great resistance to twist. Barbed Knock-in's have reasonable pull-out resistance but low twist specification. Screw-in varieties have very high pull-out resistance but very low reverse twist i.e. they unscrew easily.

      Available as shouldered or non shouldered, the shouldered Knock-in varieties may be used to provide a threaded insert from the cabinet inner face although accurate alignment is required to achieve a satisfactory fitting on the reverse side. Similarly, Tee Nuts can also be used in this manner. For further information refer to our article on How to fit Spikes

Blacked Cap Head Screws

      If you want to give your front mounted loudspeakers a more professional finished look and you don't want to use basic screws then here is the answer Cap Head Screws. Sold in sizes of M4 or M5 thread, the M4 size will pass through most tweeter mountings whilst the M5 size can do the heavy lifting for mid-bass and bass units. Surfaces are finished in a cosmetic chemi-black. Note, these items require Hex Key drivers for insertion and like most screw threaded devices into MDF, a pilot hole should be drilled first.

Drills for Wood Inserts

      These drills have been selected to assist the fitting of various wood inserts and screw threaded components. Depending upon the hardness of the material being used, for example, oak is harder than MDF, then the harder the material, the larger the pilot hole should be. In other words, no one size will fit all. The recommended sizes are best estimates only.

Allen Keys for Screw-in Inserts

      Screw-in inserts require the use of Hexagonal Ended drivers to achieve the best installation experience. Many Screwdriver sets have these types of ends in their selection of bits. However, if you are not that lucky then the Allen keys as listed below should cover most applications, as needed.

M4 Nickel Spacers

Male / Female nickel plated M4 brass spacers. External 6mm thread on 8mm post. Internal thread depth 6.5mm. Body length 10mm.