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DIY Carbon Fiber Disc Footers

Posted by Duster (M) on August 2, 2016 at 17:45:21

Carbon fiber products have been found by many listeners to be beneficial for audiophile applications when used as a vibration control device, as well as an electrical energy dissipation device. I've been experimenting with the material for quite some time now for various projects, and find it to be a very versatile material without sonic drawbacks when used in conjunction with other materials that allow its resonance dissipation and vibration blocking properties to provide a subjectively uncolored sonic signature while performing an effective audiophile task, without caveat.

While there are smaller discs that can be used as an element within a DIY footer project, a rather large 40mm x 10mm carbon fiber composite disc is now available at a low enough price point to make the use of the material more effective, and at an affordable cost that should encourage listeners to explore what it can do in their own audio systems.

A key factor in building an effective DIY carbon fiber disc footer is simply implementing a good sounding *thin* anti-skid pad on both sides of a disc in order to provide proper horizontal sheering stability, and *minimal* decoupling of the surfaces involved, both above and below the disc. Additionally, each disc can instead be affixed to the bottom of a component or platform with silicon adhesive such as Liquid Nails for a permanent placement, and a compliant pad placed on the other side as an interface with the surface that the component or platform is positioned upon. I find the footer to be equally effective when placed under loudspeakers as it is when positioned under audio components and platforms.

The choice of *thin* anti-skid pads can be experimented with, but in my experience, critical listening applications may benefit more by the use of premium Herbie's Audio Lab Thin grungebuster Dots (40mm, Black version, with adhesive backing), but I also found *thin* Everbilt 1-1/2" (38mm) self-adhesive anti-skid pads (foamed polyurethane) sourced from Home Depot to perform very well for the task. Don't confuse the heavy duty Everbilt pads from Home Depot with the polyurethane product I suggested, since the heavy duty product is made from PVC, which is a different animal. That said, there is no reason not to experiment with that pad in conjunction with a carbon fiber disc.

I discovered one seller via eBay that offers the best price found when purchased in a quantity of 8, which can be used to build two sets of 4 footers. Two versions of anti-skid pads (economy vs. deluxe), as well as other *thin* pads that folks can choose to experiment with should make this type of DIY project for a minimum of $20 per set of 4 affordable enough for most audiophile budget levels.

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40mm x 10mm Carbon Fiber Composite Discs - Quantity of 8 - $35 with free shipping:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/8Ps-Carbon-Fiber-Speaker-CD-Amplifier-Spike-Isolation-Stand-Feet-Base-40-10-/121955678711

Everbilt 1-1/2" (38mm) Self-Adhesive Anti-Skid Surface Pads - $2.48 per pack of 8:

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Everbilt-1-1-2-in-Self-Adhesive-Anti-Skid-Surface-Pads-8-per-Pack-49970/203661152

Herbie's Audio Lab Thin grungebuster Dot - 40mm, Black version, with adhesive backing - $2.49 each:

http://herbiesaudiolab.net/gb.htm

This post is made possible by the generous support of people like you and our sponsors:

Sonic Craft

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