Ported AXIS

[highfigh]

Ok, I am going to do this build for certain.

I am going to need a lot of help along the way, not with design or equipment, all of that is under control. I need help gathering the "building tools".

As many of you know, I am not that handy but I want to be. My plan is to gather the tools I need and do a couple of test runs, by building subs out of cheaper wood, until I work my way up to the 13 ply Birch.

So throw a list of tools at me so I can start gathering them up. I have a jigsaw and a hammer right now. Father in law has everything in the world but I don't know what I need to grab when I go out there.

MDF will be the cheapest material that works well for a sub box, but you'll want to wear a mask because the dust tends to be finer than most because it's more of a paper product than a wood product. Get some saw horses and set up a way to move it more easily- it weighs about 105 pounds per sheet. If you have a pickup truck, you can lay it flat, slide it out part way, lark it and cut off what you need, then use the straightedge or table saw to fine tune the cuts. If you're careful, you won't need to route the holes, although mounting the speakers flush to the face isn't a bad idea. If you do this, maybe a template would be best for all holes.

Clamps and saw horses. Get lots of both because it's hard to have too many.

Good blades and cutters are extremely important because they're much safer than cheap ones that dull quickly. Dull cutters and blades are very dangerous.

If you can get a small compressor and an air stapler, use that instead of a brad nailer because you can usually find glue-coated staples more easily than glue-coated brads and these are much less likely to come loose, even if you wante them to.

 

[Alex2507]

I wouldn't bother with an air compressor and nail gun.
Glue, clamps and screws work great.
Buy some counter sinks.

 

[lsiberian]

I wouldn't bother with an air compressor and nail gun.
Glue, clamps and screws work great.
Buy some counter sinks.

Screw the screws. Just get as many clamps as you can. If you want a stronger joint you can use biscuits or dowels.

And screw the nail gun. Just glue clamp and move on. Get some of those disposable gloves or have a water source near when gluing.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

Starting to think I will pay someone to build it.....

 

[Davemcc]

Starting to think I will pay someone to build it.....

I'm so surprised.

 

[lsiberian]

Starting to think I will pay someone to build it.....

I would suggest it unless you really want to be a wood worker. Honestly if I could start from scratch I would have. Building speakers is a lot of work IMO. It's not like building shelves either. I'm really liking the thought of iQ1s and an iQ2 at the moment lol. It's insane what I will have to do to build another box.

 

[sawzalot]

Starting to think I will pay someone to build it.....

You could build any box any time a lot easier than you think dont get overwhelmed by the thought of equipment and such if Dad has a table saw for you to use you got er licked that is the biggest and most important tool ,the clamps can be had at the blue box for 12.99 at 36" full open and you will really only need two of them and use the birch ply as it holds screws better, wood glue and a very minimal amount of 1 1/2 "wood screws ,top bottom and center, I am sure you have a screw gun, one small speed square and a jig saw thats it box build done.Woodworking is very easy just protect your eyes ears and lungs at all times.My opinion on MDF is this its dangerously dusty and not only ruins peoples lungs ,when not being safety aware,but it ruins tools too the dust is too fine and gets everywhere besides subs are better off with real ply anyway,according to those that build em,and its lighter weight.

 

[lsiberian]

You could build any box any time a lot easier than you think dont get overwhelmed by the thought of equipment and such if Dad has a table saw for you to use you got er licked that is the biggest and most important tool ,the clamps can be had at the blue box for 12.99 at 36" full open and you will really only need two of them and use the birch ply as it holds screws better, wood glue and a very minimal amount of 1 1/2 "wood screws ,top bottom and center, I am sure you have a screw gun, one small speed square and a jig saw thats it box build done.Woodworking is very easy just protect your eyes ears and lungs at all times.My opinion on MDF is this its dangerously dusty and not only ruins peoples lungs ,when not being safety aware,but it ruins tools too the dust is too fine and gets everywhere besides subs are better off with real ply anyway,according to those that build em,and its lighter weight.

We have a harbor frieght in fort worth. Get your clamps there.

 

[Alex2507]

We have a harbor frieght in fort worth. Get your clamps there.

Greg isn't short on cash so trying to save him money is a waste of time. He likes spending it. I gotta say something about Harbor Freight. Their tools aren't worth the gas you waste getting them. Home Depot is pretty competitive on quality clamps. I have some broken clamps laying around that were a bargain. A friend of mine loves Harbor frieght. He likes to buy cordless drills there for cheap money ... about twice a year.

I've had the same $270 Dewalt for over 5 years with mostly home use but it's been to work a few times.

Screw the screws.

I gotta say something about the 'screw the screws' thing. I can't believe that you are disagreeing with me about the merits of using screws. I don't know how to say this without coming across like a jerk but after doing carpentry work for over 30 years I want to go on record as stating that screws are good.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

I have a 24v Black and Decker cordless drill so I am not buying a different one.

I am sure it sucks but works for what I have needed so far.

I still own an enclosed trailer (left over from race days) that is full of tools, generator, air compressor and the likes, just not much for woodworking.

 

[lsiberian]

Greg isn't short on cash so trying to save him money is a waste of time. He likes spending it. I gotta say something about Harbor Freight. Their tools aren't worth the gas you waste getting them. Home Depot is pretty competitive on quality clamps. I have some broken clamps laying around that were a bargain. A friend of mine loves Harbor frieght. He likes to buy cordless drills there for cheap money ... about twice a year.

I've had the same $270 Dewalt for over 5 years with mostly home use but it's been to work a few times.



I gotta say something about the 'screw the screws' thing. I can't believe that you are disagreeing with me about the merits of using screws. I don't know how to say this without coming across like a jerk but after doing carpentry work for over 30 years I want to go on record as stating that screws are good.

I didn't suggest getting tools there. I've heard that some of their clamps where good.

As far as screws. This whole thing is screwy. Just messing with you. Screws and glue are probably the easiest way to assemble a box actually.

 

[sawzalot]

I agree the screws would be easier if you dont have a compressor and brad nailer.The only thing that comes to mind about screws is this,the finish if you are going to stain its alot easier to fill brad nails with stainable wood filler than it is to fill screw holes.but if your painting the box say like a black or something you can easily fill screw holes just remember to pre-drill with a counter sink bit that will give you a much better overall job.The Black and Decker drill sounds good being its 24volt no lack of torque there.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

So if the box is Birch hardwood, why would you put a wood vaneer on it? Couldn't you just stain or paint the Birch? I always wondered why my sub has the vaneer over the birch.

 

[WmAx]

So if the box is Birch hardwood, why would you put a wood vaneer on it? Couldn't you just stain or paint the Birch? I always wondered why my sub has the vaneer over the birch.

Well, while the birch ply has a beautiful veneer on it from the factory, if you don't have the tools to precisely cut/miter the joints so that the edges of ply don't show, then you have to add more veneer to cover the ply edges. You need to be rather skilled to cut your wood to the precision required to get perfect mitered joints to align an all pieces. Either that, or have a CNC machine to cut your wood.

-Chris

 

[lsiberian]

Well, while the birch ply has a beautiful veneer on it from the factory, if you don't have the tools to precisely cut/miter the joints so that the edges of ply don't show, then you have to add more veneer to cover the ply edges. You need to be rather skilled to cut your wood to the precision required to get perfect mitered joints to align an all pieces. Either that, or have a CNC machine to cut your wood.

-Chris

Using a router would be much simpler they have bits to miter edges. Since budget is no object you can get a router table and use a locking miter bit. It will get you a very strong joint

http://www.jesada.com/instructions/lock_miter.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=POvBhQo2ivQ&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FZBljtSjJBU Different kind of joint, but shows some very good techniques

A nice video

 

[ParadigmDawg]

I never said budget was no issue. I am going cheap on this one.

 

[lsiberian]

I never said budget was no issue. I am going cheap on this one.

Router tables aren't to expensive. If you get the type of router Andrew and I have the table is around 160 I think. Routers are about the most useful tool for speaker building one can have. You can even cut the wood with one in desperate times.

 

[Alex2507]

http://www.popularmechanics.com/home_journal/tools/4283497.html

 

[lsiberian]

Get the table saw. Circular saws are great, but if you can get a table saw do it. They are great for long cuts. Circular saws are better for cross cuts IMO. Though a radial arm saw is even nicer.

For Cabinet grade birch in our area you will need to hit up home depot. Lowe's doesn't usually have any. I suggest lowes for normal cabinets because they have plenty of precut lumber which I find easier to deal with.

 

[sawzalot]

http://www.popularmechanics.com/home_journal/tools/4283497.html

That guide is a great find however if Dawg even has a remote thought about a mitered corner forget it with that setup it will never give a cut accurate enough for staining.