DIY questions for a faik Fraim replica...

Posted by: johno on 26 March 2002

Tweakers and Naimsters on a budget...

I only saw the Fraim on Saturday in a French HiFidelity magazine.. and thought wow! Then noticed the price! Ouch!

Unfortunately I want the Fraim sound/look but not the £1000+ cost needed for all my Naims.

I did read a post last night on the Fraims and someone was discussing the ball bearing placement and contact patches... as they are DIYing too.

The main shelves I intend to make out of 25mm MDF and get these CNCed out in a similar way to the Fraim.. I may intend to machine under them to lighten the shelf without reducing the stiffness (ie leave ribbing etc... like Mission do in the 780 series speakers internally)
Question: Anyone know what the flexural modulus of MDF is?

I have 3x1m lengths of 18mm diameter stainless steel studding... purchased a couple of years ago to make a TNT flexi-shelf unit... this never materialised and I bought a bolt together SO table instead wobbly/bad.

The Ball bearing isolation part was a head scratcher... last night I had a spark of genius and will use one small pilot hole for a jig and make 3 larger holes 120 degree cut to sit 3 ball bearings in.. then glue these in... then place 'the ball' on the 3 point contacts created by the balls... to get the same effect as 'The Socket' (or better microscopically!)

The only thing I am not yet fully decided on is the 'leg' around the 18mm stud.... whether to use a block of hard wood or some sort of open metal frame as Naim... I may use a nice light hardwood to match my Beech SBL's and use 3 small ball bearings (1mm) again 120 degree spaced to make it a very rigid leg with the shelf above (gap less than 1 mm when clamped). The wood will also allow a hole underneath to cover the nuts of the shelf below. I will have to use nuts instead of 'cups'. My cup will have to be machined out of the top of the 18mm studs.

Does the cone sit in the cup on it's point? ie cup is flat or on a small hole in the cup?

Is glass thickness critical as 6mm toughened glass is standard size but >6mm TG is hard to get... may start off with my SO glass unfortunately this is 4mm.

I know this could possibly not sound as good as the Fraim but at a Fraction of the cost.. this can go towards my second silver-edged NAP250.

The nuts for the 18mm stud are 30mm AF ! and the washers are 47mm! If nothing else it will be heavier! ;-)

john

Posted on: 31 March 2002 by johno
Anyone built any stands themselves?

John
Shore

Posted on: 01 April 2002 by graphoman
I don’t concur with Cattlin. I send you my two-part report/evaluation by mail. It may have escaped of your attention.
graphoman
Posted on: 01 April 2002 by Arthur Bye
Paul Darwin wrote:
quote:
You are using our site to try and make a copy Fraim and are looking for assistance.

Paul:

I wouldn't be too worried here. So far all Johno has done is convince me that this can't be done as a DIY kit. It's pretty apparent that there is a lot more engineering with the Fraim than is readily apparent.

Arthur Bye

Posted on: 02 April 2002 by johno
quote:
Originally posted by Paul Darwin:

Let me get this right.

You are using our site to try and make a copy Fraim and are looking for assistance.

Paul.

Yes, got any tips ;-)... Imitation is the finest form of flattery. As I said it is a DIM stand. I intend to Do It Myself... a one off stand just for me... not commercially..

It will not be a copy as it will not have the extruded legs.. or the triangle washers.. It will just use some of the principles... which are pretty common on stands...

Sorry but I have older Naim gear and I have got all my gear second-hand... If you think I am going to spend a lot more than I have spent on any one item of my Hi-Fi on a stand, then sorry. Maybe when you bring out a SuperFraim there maybe some second-hand on the market and I may consider it.

If I wanted to build a Mana Stand I would check out the Mana site... As it happens a site of Naim fans is the best place for what I am after...

Now has anyone built a stand or what ;-)

Johno

PS. One of the good things about Naim is the strength of the second-hand market this is due to you kit being so good new...

PPS. I have bought some Naim things new.. Black Snaic and 72 boards for my 32.5

[This message was edited by johno on TUESDAY 02 April 2002 at 20:15.]

Posted on: 02 April 2002 by johno
I wouldn't be too worried here. So far all Johno has done is convince me that this can't be done as a DIY kit. It's pretty apparent that there is a lot more engineering with the Fraim than is readily apparent.

Arthur Bye[/QUOTE]

There is a load of Engineering with the Fraim... and it is obvious that what ever I do will not be anywhere near to the standards of the Naim Kit.
...but as an Acoustic/Mechanical Engineer I have the facilities and skill to take a stab at it... And it will be fun trying...

It is obvious from the design of the chips and the cups that there is no direct coupling from the spike above to the floor/stud below other than where the stud thread connects.. this will be the biggest engineering effort for me... lathetastic...

ps. I reserve the right to buy a Fraim when mine doesn't work and when you all tell me... "I told you so!" wink

John
Shore

Posted on: 02 April 2002 by johno
quote:
Originally posted by graphoman:
I don’t concur with Cattlin. I send you my two-part report/evaluation by mail. It may have escaped of your attention.
graphoman

Please try again..

John
Shore