Introduction: Paper Plate Speaker

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About: Hey there, my name is Andrey. I like to build, fix, reuse and tinker. I joined Instructabels because I like to share my projects with you. Hope you support me and my projects.

Everyone once taught that speakers were confusing and complicated. But did you know that you can make your very own speaker at home out of household items. Today I am going to show you how to make a paper plate speaker for cheap.

Step 1: Tools and Parts

The tools and parts you need are:

  • Two paper plates
  • Scissors
  • Neodymium magnet
  • Magnet wire
  • business card
  • Hot glue
  • Paper
  • Tape
  • Ruler
  • Pencil or pen

Step 2: Cutting Paper

Start by marking the magnet 1/5 of an inch from the bottom of the paper and using a ruler make a line and cut the strip out. Now tape the strip of paper to the magnet and roll the strip on the magnet. Mark another line exactly the size of the magnet. Roll the second strip of paper onto the magnet and tape it.

Step 3: Voice Coil

The voice coil is the most important part in a speaker. I made mine using magnet wire that I salvaged from a motor. Start by taping the magnet wire to the paper roll and start wrapping the wire on to the magnet. When you are done wrapping the wire on to the magnet, tape the coil for it to not move around. Remove the second roll of paper with the coil and remove the first roll of paper that was taped to the magnet. Now your done with your voice coil.

Step 4: Assembling the Speaker

Now mark the centers or your plates by drawing a X on the plate. Then Hot Glue the coil and magnet in the centers of the plates.

Step 5: Suspensions for the Speaker

Take your business card and cut it in half. Fold both in half. Then hold each side in half again. Hot Glue the suspensions evenly on both sides on both plates. See pictures for more detail.

Step 6: Finishing and Testing

The last step is to burn or sand the protective coating off the wires and hook it up to your amp. Have fun and jam to your favorite song on your new paper speaker. Your family and friends will be amazed at what you built and you can explain how it works (Look for how it works in the pictures). Thanks for viewing and support my projects by voting.

Step 7: Videos

This speaker doesn't handle bass really well as you can see in the video but does well for a paper plate speaker. I spaced the suspensions a little bit farther from the center of the middle for better sound and stability. I found out lots of imperfectness in the design like a very lose coil and weak suspensions but I'm working on a improved version of the paper plate speaker. Thanks for viewing.

video 1: https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B1AUoUOSnNsYV2RLb2...

video 2: https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B1AUoUOSnNsYelBkQ0...