Fiberglass Column

[Crazy35111]

I am considering building fiberglass columns for my home theater and wrapping them in veneer oak. Would this pose any problems sound wise?

 

[annunaki]

I think we need more info here as to what you mean?

A fiberglass enclosure is fine for sub drivers as the resonance points are generally well above the pass band of the driver. However unless you build a constraint layer type enclosure with the fiberglass you will have lots of mid-range/mid-bass cabinet resonance issues.

I built many solidly constructed enclosures for vehicles (kick panels, etc,) out of fiberglass and they almost always had resonance problems. Though in a vehicle they are much less noticeable.

Also fiberglass builds in rigidity the more bends and curves you can put into it. The straighter/flatter it becomes, the weaker it becomes. On a flat surface you will need many layers to equal MDF. It would need to be close to 1/2" thick or more and that assumes you add in some sort of density increasing agent to the resin such as a fine sand, etc.

 

[highfigh]

I am considering building fiberglass columns for my home theater and wrapping them in veneer oak. Would this pose any problems sound wise?

Can you post a diagram of the column shape? Why fiberglass? You should be able to buy something that will work. They're available from lumber companies that specialize in architectural detail items and some plywood suppliers. Google 'Architectural columns'.

They'll scatter the sound that hits them and as posted, may resonate but if they're heavy enough, they'll be inert. Heavier is better. If you put them in the corners, they'll help with some of the bass problems, but not all.

 

[Crazy35111]

Pretty much just thinking of a half column round and 16" in diameter. This will then attach to a wood box that comes out of the wall. The fiberglass will be faced with oak veneer. The reason I am thinking of building my own is I am unable to locate 8" quarter round or 16" half round wood locally, and I should be able to build fiberglass ones for a fraction of the cost. I will look into something I can add for density.

 

[annunaki]

What about using some sonotube?

I know it comes in varying diameters. There is a place on the web (can't remember where) that does virtually any "sonotube" you want at any thickness. Square, triangle, etc. you name it.

 

[Rickster71]

Pretty much just thinking of a half column round and 16" in diameter. This will then attach to a wood box that comes out of the wall. The fiberglass will be faced with oak veneer. The reason I am thinking of building my own is I am unable to locate 8" quarter round or 16" half round wood locally, and I should be able to build fiberglass ones for a fraction of the cost. I will look into something I can add for density.

I've used the composite columns; (not for a sub) the diameters range from 8" to around 36" They're available smooth enough to apply veneer.

 

[highfigh]

Pretty much just thinking of a half column round and 16" in diameter. This will then attach to a wood box that comes out of the wall. The fiberglass will be faced with oak veneer. The reason I am thinking of building my own is I am unable to locate 8" quarter round or 16" half round wood locally, and I should be able to build fiberglass ones for a fraction of the cost. I will look into something I can add for density.

Do you know anyone with a large wood lathe? They could turn them and then they could be cut in halves or quarters after. They would be made from strips of wood, like barrel staves, a mounting plate would be made and then they would be turned. That's how they make the commercially available ones.

 

[sawzalot]

Most local siding supply companies also supply numerous styles in the pre-cast fiberglass colvmns you could get a perfect round (not tapered) in ten foot and cut it it in half giving you the two that you need, they also seel the caps and base as well, good luck.