I am going to build a subwoofer.

[viivo]

Good luck! Be sure to take lots of pictures and post your progress. I'd love to do something like this, but I'm too worried about ending up with a crooked box with air leaks all over the place.

Also, how are you planning on cutting the hole for the sub? Jigsaw?

 

[sdifox]

I ordered the Amp and Driver today from CSS
Total $381.94 including shipping and taxes.

BASH300
TRIO12

I also purchased some hardware at the local store

Wood Glue
T-Nuts, bolts and washers to fasten the driver.
Saw Guide
SheetRock screws
Drill bits for the T-Nut and for pre-drilling the screw holes.

Total for hardware $42.43

Ill get the 3"MDF sheet tomorrow and start building the box.

check your local lumber yard to see if they do cuts for you. Some places (like Home Depot) allow up to 3 cuts per sheet.

 

[vi edit]

MDF + T-Nuts = bad combo. It's virtually impossible to get them hammered in, and once they do they can easily strip out. I'd make that inner layer of the manifold out of plywood since you'll get a better grip with it.

Also, get/borrow a router and make a jig to do the holes.

 

[Number1]

I could not fit my reciprocating saw to the saw guide so I returned it. My dad gave me a router many many years ago. I build a jig for it and tried it on a piece of wood. I was able to make a perfect circle. The only issue is with the 3/4 in MDF I am going to have to go over twice as the bit is not tick enough to go trough the wood.

 

[Number1]

MDF + T-Nuts = bad combo. It's virtually impossible to get them hammered in, and once they do they can easily strip out. I'd make that inner layer of the manifold out of plywood since you'll get a better grip with it.

Also, get/borrow a router and make a jig to do the holes.

I experimented with the T-Nut and as long as I don't apply to much torque it should be OK.
I don't have 3/4 in plywood so I am going to stick with the MDF.

 

[Number1]

Measuring 3 or 4 times with my helper.

 

[Number1]

Cutting one and a half time.

 

[Number1]

I put the pieces together loosely just to see how they woulf fit. Looking pretty good so far. I might have to do a bit of sanding on some parts.

 

[Number1]

I will cut the speaker holes and the braces today , fit everything together with screws and make the necessary adjustments.

Once I am happy with the fit, Ill take it all apart again and reassemble it using wood glue.

I got confirmation for my order and it shipped yesterday. I expect to get this here by next Friday.

It is COLD out there today!! -15C, -21 with the windchill. BRRR, I love my wood stove.

Wood heat is a bit messy but I can keep the house as hot as I want without worrying about the bill.

 

[Number1]

Using my home made jig to cut holes.

 

[Number1]

Here are the inside boards. Nothing that a good sander can't fix. As long as all my inside pieces are the same width, I should gat a good fit.

 

[Number1]

Building the box.

 

[Number1]

Building the vent and bracing it.

 

[Number1]

I got a new cordless drill for Xmas and I love it. I used it all day yesterday. All of a sudden it just quit working so I put it on the charger but instead of charging it gave me a red flashing light saying the batery is defective!!! Eventually it did recharge and it seams to be working OK this morning. It uses a Li-Ion 18 V battery. Should I return this drill and get a new one or is this the way Li-Ion batteries behave? Its worth $200. and so far it's the best frill I have ever owned. The best thing about it is the brake that stops the drill from turning as soon as you release the trigger. One hand key less chuck is absolutely fantastic.

 

[sdifox]

Return the sucker. If the battery says defective now, it is not a good sign.

 

[Number1]

Return the sucker. If the battery says defective now, it is not a good sign.

It died completely yesterday. Time to get another one.

 

[Number1]

I uploaded a bunch of pictures on my smug mug account. The box is coming along real well.

Check it out starting at page 7: SmugMug

It is a lot of work. It was tricky to put the silicone on the joint in the vent (the slot at the bottom). I had to use a small 2 ft stick and put silicone on the tip and smear it on the joint. It's crude but it got the job done.
The plan for tomorrow is to finish sealing the joints in the vent, install the last 2 braces, install and seal the top cover and the front baffle, start filling the screw holes with mud and start sanding the outside to get it ready for painting.

I also have to find legs for the box to rest on as the woofer will be pointing downward.

I can't wait to give this baby a try.

 

[Soundmanred]

IMO, too much bracing (sounds weird, huh?) and too skinny of a slot port.
I hope it sounds good though!

 

[Number1]

IMO, too much bracing (sounds weird, huh?) and too skinny of a slot port.
I hope it sounds good though!

The slot is 16" wide by 1.25" thick by 36.7" long. The air velocity is down to about 18 M/S (BassBox 6), well bellow anything I could achieve with a round port of reasonable length and diameter. Exemple, the air velocity was at 28 M/s with a 20" in long 4" round port.

I did notice the air velocity went way up if the slot was less then an inch thick but it is OK at 1.25.

As for the bracing I don't think it will hurt anything.

 

[Number1]

I got my parts in today.
I did a bunch of work on the box, put the Amp and driver in and hooked it up to my receiver about a hour ago.

OMG the difference is like going from low definition TV to high definition.

The hole house is shaking

The dog was scared and was barking at the sub!! LOL

Music is "very" nice.

I put the movie "Number 9" on because it has good DTS sound effects.

WOW, did I say WOW!!!

You can feel the explosions, you can feel the earth shake in the action scenes. Mind blowing.

The hole system sounds completely different. Better is an understatement.

Well worth the trouble.

Picture to follow.

 

[vi edit]

Ha! Enjoy the feeling while it lasts. In three months your're going to want to feed your inner bass head even more.



Next up for you is a table tuba.

 

[Number1]

Ha! Enjoy the feeling while it lasts. In three months your're going to want to feed your inner bass head even more.



Next up for you is a table tuba.

It won't be a tuba but I already have plans for an improved version. This one here my very well end up at my son's place. He happens to need a sub.

You can see more pictures at my SmugMug gallery.

I kind of get a trill at the dog barking at the sub, LOL

 

[Number1]

OK the initial excitement is over. It sounded good BUT there is a rattle, a loud rattle.

I don't know how to fix it yet, if it's fixable :-(

I think it comes from the front baffle where the driver mounts. It's 2 boards of MDF sandwiched, glued and screwed together.

If I push down on the magnet hard with my hand, the rattle goes away.

More to come...........

 

[0roo0roo]

ah canadian..
never seen that glue brand in the us.

and lol at the dog freaking out. should hold him on the couch while u blast it for a bit till he gets used to it.

 

[Number1]

I received the new surrounds for my wharfedales mid range speakers. It took 48 hours to put them in and wait for the glue to dry. I am happy to report they are working great.

LOL

Now back to my sub, I think I have a solution for my issue.