Bamboo Plywood?

[speakerman39]

Even though bamboo is a grass and not a wood, it is noticeably harder than wood. Does that make it better than something soft like MDF for a speaker cabinet? Probably not. I would guess it is more likely to resonate than MDF. Whether it does or not has a lot to do with how the enclosure is designed and braced. You want to keep the enclosure as still and quiet as you can. To keep an enclosure quiet requires weight, thickness and bracing. Let the drivers move, keep the enclosure as still as possible. Personally, I wouldn't use bamboo. It would just be more difficult to keep quiet.

To be honest I would not use bamboo anyways as it is too expensive. Just wanted to learn more about it. I will probably use MDF or perhaps HDF. Thanks for posting.

 

[annunaki]

HDF is difficult to find, and usually a fair bit more expensive than MDF. By all means use it though if it is a fair price.

 

[speakerman39]

HDF is difficult to find, and usually a fair bit more expensive than MDF. By all means use it though if it is a fair price.

Okay I plan to look into it tomorrow. Maybe I can have it special ordered or something. Appreciate the help.

 

[speakerman39]

And harder to work with.

Almost sounds like you are referring to my ex-wife...........LOL!!!!!! Just kiddin but I couldn't resist.

 

[speakerman39]

HDF is difficult to find, and usually a fair bit more expensive than MDF. By all means use it though if it is a fair price.

Well, I had no luck in locating any HDF at all in any thickness BUT I did find 1" MDF which is rare here locally. 3/4" MDF is $22 for a 4' X 8' sheet. However,
1" MDF in the same size sheet is $42. Not bad really.

 

[WmAx]

Well, I had no luck in locating any HDF at all in any thickness BUT I did find 1" MDF which is rare here locally. 3/4" MDF is $22 for a 4' X 8' sheet. However,
1" MDF in the same size sheet is $42. Not bad really.

Not bad? That's just a couple of dollars cheaper than a decent hardwood cabinet grade 3/4" plywood, which would work at least as well as the 1" MDF, be lower in weight and easier to use.

-Chris

 

[speakerman39]

Not bad? That's just a couple of dollars cheaper than a decent hardwood cabinet grade 3/4" plywood, which would work at least as well as the 1" MDF, be lower in weight and easier to use.

-Chris

Okay Chris. I will keep this in mind. Just learning about various material(s). Guess this is what makes this hobby so rewarding-you know always persuing better performance.

 

[twoksl2]

If you want strength go Paduak. Beautiful wood, hard as iron.

yes, paduak is very strong, however i'm pretty sure that it is extremally expensive also.

 

[speakerman39]

yes, paduak is very strong, however i'm pretty sure that it is extremally expensive also.

Oh, I am sure of it. Too expensive for my budget anyways.

 

[Johnd]

yes, paduak is very strong, however i'm pretty sure that it is extremally expensive also.

That's a relative term. He really doesn't need that much quantity. I have bought it for as little as $2-$3 bd. ft., and could purchase it now for $4 bd. ft. Although I know some hobbyists pay as much as $10-$15 per bd. ft. for small quantities. I was just throwing the option out there. I have about 100 bd. ft. left over from a project, and I will probably make a component rack out of some of it. Anyhow, when one mentions beautiful, interesting woods (or grass in the instant case), I think of Mahogany, Padauk, Rosewood, even "plain old" indigenous Walnut and Maple.

 

[annunaki]

I would save the money and do 3/4" mdf. You can double up the front baffle if you wish (it does look nicer recessed). Just use good, solid bracing techniques.

Here is what I did which I think you saw already:

 

[speakerman39]

Yeah I have seen the pic BUT you are right in using 3/4" MDF. If I build the cabinet myself that is what I will use if the 1" MDF is not available. Chances are though, it will be built using 3/4" MDF. Take care my friend.