Cabinet questions: Madisound Recession Buster Kit

[lsiberian]

I've got speakers!

I finally finished them up today, well, sort of. I still need to sand/paint, but I mounted the drivers and was able to listen to them for a few minutes. Wow, I'm really impressed with these speakers. It's not saying much, but these are the best sounding speakers I have ever owned. They're exceptionally clear and neutral sounding. I was already picking out subtle details I hadn't heard in some of my music before. I wish I had bought a couple more sets (and my carpentry skills were better to do these justice), they sound better than my HT speakers (JBL venues), and blend beautifully with my Kappa DIY sub. I'm grinning ear to ear

I've got some long hours of sanding ahead of me, hopefully I can finish them up this weekend. I was so excited I forgot to take pictures too. Pictures to hopefully follow later this weekend.

Good to hear. Gotta pickup my saw soon so I can get the wood and start cutting the boxes. I am probably going to use Birch Ply instead. Though I may go with MDF. Depends on the prices at HD.

 

[highfigh]

I've got speakers!

I finally finished them up today, well, sort of. I still need to sand/paint, but I mounted the drivers and was able to listen to them for a few minutes. Wow, I'm really impressed with these speakers. It's not saying much, but these are the best sounding speakers I have ever owned. They're exceptionally clear and neutral sounding. I was already picking out subtle details I hadn't heard in some of my music before. I wish I had bought a couple more sets (and my carpentry skills were better to do these justice), they sound better than my HT speakers (JBL venues), and blend beautifully with my Kappa DIY sub. I'm grinning ear to ear

I've got some long hours of sanding ahead of me, hopefully I can finish them up this weekend. I was so excited I forgot to take pictures too. Pictures to hopefully follow later this weekend.

If you have any gaps that need filling, Bondo is about the best filler you'll find. It sands as smooth as you could want it, fills any gap you could have and paints as well as anything else, too. When you paint them, use primer on the edges first. You need to keep the MDF from absorbing the paint more on the edges than on the flat areas in order to have a consistent "look".

Keep the photos coming.

 

[alexwakelin]

Here's my first finished speaker. The paint on the other one is still drying. They are far from perfect, but my woodworking skill have a long way to go still. I'm really amazed at some of the things other people on this site build.

Right now they only have 2 coats of primer and 2 coats of semi gloss black. I learned that putting a good finish on something takes a lot of patience. Maybe I'll eventually getting around to finishing them a bit better. I was in a hurry to just get them up and running. I also need to replace the screws with some that look better, the ones I used were just what I had on hand that fit.

 

[highfigh]

Here's my first finished speaker. The paint on the other one is still drying. They are far from perfect, but my woodworking skill have a long way to go still. I'm really amazed at some of the things other people on this site build.

Right now they only have 2 coats of primer and 2 coats of semi gloss black. I learned that putting a good finish on something takes a lot of patience. Maybe I'll eventually getting around to finishing them a bit better. I was in a hurry to just get them up and running. I also need to replace the screws with some that look better, the ones I used were just what I had on hand that fit.

Now you know where the saying "That's as much fun as watching paint dry" comes from. Waiting for finish to dry is the worst part but personally, I don't think you need to apologize for your woodworking skills.

If you get the bug to build more, and you will, you'll need more clamps. Harbor Freight has some that are cheap, but decent. The price of the aluminum ones with the blue anodized tabs are about as low as you'll find and they have some similar to the ones in the photo that can push apart or pull together. They don't tolerate being tightened too much because the plastic that serves as the pivot for the lever isn't very strong but to avoid that breaking, you can disassemble them, drill through the pivot and use a screw/Nylock nut. WHen they're on sale, the 14" is $3 each and nobody can beat that. They go up to 48", IIRC.

 

[alexwakelin]

OK, one more picture. Here's my computer desk setup with the new speakers. The speakers are a bit large for my desk, but they sound amazing so I'm willing to deal with losing a bit of desk space. Due to their size, placement was difficult as well. I moved things around a couple times before I arrived at this configuration.

 

[lsiberian]

OK, one more picture. Here's my computer desk setup with the new speakers. The speakers are a bit large for my desk, but they sound amazing so I'm willing to deal with losing a bit of desk space. Due to their size, placement was difficult as well. I moved things around a couple times before I arrived at this configuration.

Very nicely done!

 

[lsiberian]

Now you know where the saying "That's as much fun as watching paint dry" comes from. Waiting for finish to dry is the worst part but personally, I don't think you need to apologize for your woodworking skills.

If you get the bug to build more, and you will, you'll need more clamps. Harbor Freight has some that are cheap, but decent. The price of the aluminum ones with the blue anodized tabs are about as low as you'll find and they have some similar to the ones in the photo that can push apart or pull together. They don't tolerate being tightened too much because the plastic that serves as the pivot for the lever isn't very strong but to avoid that breaking, you can disassemble them, drill through the pivot and use a screw/Nylock nut. WHen they're on sale, the 14" is $3 each and nobody can beat that. They go up to 48", IIRC.

They seem to have a lot of clamps. For a low price. Thanks for the link. I wonder which ones would be the most versatile.

 

[highfigh]

I have the original Quick Clamps, some small ones from Ace Hardware (not great, but they work), wooden clamps, C clamps and others but when I got the HF and cranked on them, one broke at the pivot previously mentioned. For $3 apiece, I'm not going to drive across town to replace one clamp, so I repaired it and it's a lot stronger than before. I've really cranked on that one and it held up fine, so I will be adding the screws/nuts on the rest ASAP. The ones i used are #10-24, IIRC. I always use Nylock nuts for things like this because they don't need a lock washer to take up more space. As cheap as they are, they work well and I don't think I have ever heard anyone say that they have too many clamps.

Another thing I had before I started making a lot of subwoofer boxes is corner clamps, for holding the sides in place while I nailed, stapled or screwed them together.

Like these:
http://www.woodcraft.com/product.aspx?ProductID=38H51&FamilyID=4250

Shop around- they're sometimes less money.

For mitered corners, this works well:
http://www.woodcraft.com/family.aspx?FamilyID=3719&cs=4250&pcs=fam

 

[TLS Guy]

OK, one more picture. Here's my computer desk setup with the new speakers. The speakers are a bit large for my desk, but they sound amazing so I'm willing to deal with losing a bit of desk space. Due to their size, placement was difficult as well. I moved things around a couple times before I arrived at this configuration.

Great job. I'm certain they will not be the last speakers you build!

If you have the knowledge and skills buying speakers is insane.

 

[lsiberian]

My saw showed up yesterday. now i'm waiting on the drill. I may be picking up the wood this weekend and starting the build for mine. I'm still debating between mdf and plywood.

 

[lsiberian]

My saw showed up yesterday. now i'm waiting on the drill. I may be picking up the wood this weekend and starting the build for mine. I'm still debating between mdf and plywood.

Made some of the first cuts today. The Lowe's we have is amazing. They actually had some precut 2x4 birch ply.

My saw is actually nice. It's fun to use power tools

A shop vac is also a very useful thing to have for cleaning up saw dust.

 

[alexwakelin]

Home depot usually has pre-cut 2x4 sheets of birch and MDF, just beware that the corners on those sheets might not be perfectly square. What kind of saw did you get? I bought the $30 Ryobi, and about all I can say about it is that it gets the job done.

 

[lsiberian]

Home depot usually has pre-cut 2x4 sheets of birch and MDF, just beware that the corners on those sheets might not be perfectly square. What kind of saw did you get? I bought the $30 Ryobi, and about all I can say about it is that it gets the job done.

A Bosch CS10 cost a bit more, but it's a 7 1/4" saw has a very nice design.

I imagine I will have many years of good use from it. I still need to pick up a cutting bit for my router and get the jig out of the mailbox.

Hey what type of bit did you use for the round flush hole.

 

[alexwakelin]

I used a Freud 04-132 bit, I don't know if it's even the right one for the job, but it turned out really nice.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00004T7BL

BTW, nice saw I really want a worm drive saw but they are $$$$

 

[lsiberian]

I used a Freud 04-132 bit, I don't know if it's even the right one for the job, but it turned out really nice.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00004T7BL

BTW, nice saw I really want a worm drive saw but they are $$$$

I think as long as you have a good blade and guide it's doesn't matter for small projects what saw you have. I just didn't find a good selection of blades for the smaller ones. I could have gotten a 10" saw for a bit more, but I think for my uses the CS10 is good enough.

FYI http://www.amazon.com/Freud-76-102-4-Inch-Diameter-2-Flute/dp/B00004T7K3/ref=pd_sim_hi_1

A spiral upcut bit is best for cutting holes usually.

 

[lsiberian]

Pieces all cut. Now I just need to route the holes, sand, glue, and paint.

I also need to get batteries for my camera so I can share the wealth.

 

[lsiberian]

Pieces all cut. Now I just need to route the holes, sand, glue, and paint.

I also need to get batteries for my camera so I can share the wealth.

Just glued the sides and tops together. Had to file down one of the pieces It got a bit of a angled cut. I used Titebond. It's very nice stuff.

 

[alexwakelin]

Just glued the sides and tops together. Had to file down one of the pieces It got a bit of a angled cut. I used Titebond. It's very nice stuff.

I used titebond in my build, I don't own enough clamps, and it was nice to only have to clamp for about 30 mins. That stuff sets up fast. A file and 60 grit sandpaper are both very useful for fixing "mistakes" Now go get some batteries and share the fruits of your labor with us.

 

[lsiberian]

I used titebond in my build, I don't own enough clamps, and it was nice to only have to clamp for about 30 mins. That stuff sets up fast. A file and 60 grit sandpaper are both very useful for fixing "mistakes" Now go get some batteries and share the fruits of your labor with us.

Where and with what did you mount the crossover?

I was thinking the bottom of the thing with hot glue or something similar.

 

[alexwakelin]

I mounted the crossover to the brace with some wood screws. I made things hard on myself by gluing the brace in first though. I suppose anywhere works though.