CarAudioFab Posted November 9, 2012 Report Share Posted November 9, 2012 Pardon the dust, under construction Hey guys! Have you ever seen panels in installs like this and wondered how in the world did they get those shapes? Well with a series of router tips and tricks, you can start with literally any shape drawn on paper (shown on left), and transform it into a perfectly fabricated wooden template that you can then copy several times into future installs. (Shown on right). Take your installs to the next level with these shaped panels that you can use for hiding amps and crossovers, trimming around speakers, making amazing port shapes, the possibilities are endless! Let's get down to the nitty gritty: What you Need: Safety First! Make sure that you have eye protection, hearing protection, and a dust mask for that harmful MDF dust! Tools: Router and Router Table: Where to find: Online, Big Box Hardware Stores Starting Cost: $100 (Don’t let the cost deter you, you can easily make this back doing installs for friends and family) The workhorse of the operation the router and router table combo will allow you to use various “bits” to create different features that lead to the finalized template. Important features to look for: Variable Speed Compatible with .5" and .25" shanks Bit Height adjust from top of table Router Bits (List shows in picture left to right) Flush Trim Router Bit: Where to find: Online, Big Box Hardware Stores Starting Cost: 15 The flush trim bit will allow you to make copies of shapes and transfer them from one panel to another with the upper bearing riding against the edge of the “master” template you are copying. Spiral trim bits are better but are more expensive. Rabbeting Router Bit: Where to find: Online, Big Box Hardware Stores Starting Cost: 25 The rabbeting router bit allows you to make a 90 degree notch out of the template. This can be used in conjunction with the flush trim bit to enlarge or reduce the size of an insert. Watch the videos to understand this technique. It is in your best interest to purchase one of these with a set of bearings, allowing adjust-ability of the distance that the but will cut into your work piece. Roundover / Chamfer Router Bits: Where to find: Online, Big Box Hardware Stores Starting Cost: 15 each Though these bits are not required for template production they are very appealing when creating a finalized template as they can create a smooth rounded edge or an interesting bevel. When used correctly both can add an extra touch of appeal to a template. Jig Saw: Where to find: Online, Big Box Hardware Stores Starting Cost: 30 A more basic tool, there is probably not much info needed here. This will be used to rough cut your template shapes in order to minimize the work that your router must do to cut into the wood. Drill and Drill Bits: Where to find: Online, Big Box Hardware Stores Starting Cost: 30 Again, likely that you have an understanding of these tools. We will be using them to add a hole to start our jig saw when making “holes” on the inside of templates. Materials “Template Tape”: Where to find: Online, Big Box Hardware Stores, Art supply stores Starting Cost: 3 Also known as double sided foam tape this tape will allow you to hold work pieces together while performing steps with the router table. It can also be used to allow for material “gap” when wrapping various pieces with suede, vinyl, carpet, etc. Round and Straight Shaped Objects: Where to find: Everywhere! Starting Cost: FREE! In order to get parts of your shape to be perfectly smooth you are going to need existing surfaces to create them from. Start collecting large metal washers, speaker ring cut outs, straight edges from MDF etc! -Mark Host of "CarAudioFabrication" - YouTube Car Audio Tutorial Channel Check out my forum section here on SMD for my builds and tutorial videos! Subscribe on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/CarAudioFabrication Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CarAudioFab Posted November 9, 2012 Author Report Share Posted November 9, 2012 Cont from above. ¼” MDF or Hardboard (Left) and 1/2" MDF (Right): Where to find: Big Box Hardware Stores, Lumber yards Starting Cost: Depends on Size and date, material price changes If you have a particular curve in your material that you cannot merely copy from an object you found you can use the 1/4" thin hardboard or mdf to smoothly cut the shape with your jigsaw, make sure you take the time to sand the surface you cut smooth so that the transition is perfect and has no rises. A favorite among car audio enthusiasts the 1/2" MDF is a MUST for template production, MDF is void free and will allow for perfect surfaces when using various router steps. Body Filler: Where to find: Online, Big Box Hardware Stores, Auto Supply, Auto Body Stores Starting Cost: 15 Also known as “bondo” body filler is a must for making negative plugs throughout the process. I personally recommend “Rage Gold” by Evercoat due to its awesome working period and amazing sanding qualities. Painters tape: Where to find: Online, Big Box Hardware Stores, Art Supply Starting Cost: 3 An easily found item, we will be using the painters tape to protect our panels on steps that require the use of body filler. Misc: Other things you need that don’t need explaining: Scissors, marker, ruler. The Videos! You are going to want to crack open a cold one and start to free your mind! Get those creative juices flowing! Follow the steps outlined in these videos to construct the templates! Episode 1 Episode 2 Episode 3 Episode 4 With the templates made you can utilize them within your builds. Stay tuned for future steps outlining using mold fabric to mount them within a fiberglass surface, wrapping techniques for covering with material, as well as other techniques. -Mark Host of "CarAudioFabrication" - YouTube Car Audio Tutorial Channel Check out my forum section here on SMD for my builds and tutorial videos! Subscribe on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/CarAudioFabrication Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CarAudioFab Posted November 10, 2012 Author Report Share Posted November 10, 2012 If you enjoyed this thread please let me know your thoughts! -Mark Host of "CarAudioFabrication" - YouTube Car Audio Tutorial Channel Check out my forum section here on SMD for my builds and tutorial videos! Subscribe on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/CarAudioFabrication Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IKnowImLost224 Posted November 12, 2012 Report Share Posted November 12, 2012 Wow this is great! Extremely informative! I plan on watching all of the videos as all as I get some free time! Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SnowDrifter Posted November 12, 2012 Report Share Posted November 12, 2012 Great writeup! ~~~~~~~~SAY NO TO PHOTOBUCKET~~~~~~~~ Snow's DD-1 tracks here: https://www.stevemeadedesigns.com/board/topic/167433-snows-dd-1-tracks/ My take on OFC vs CCA: https://www.stevemeadedesigns.com/board/topic/110381-things-that-piss-you-off-in-the-car-audio-world/?do=findComment&comment=2461444 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
c.director Posted November 12, 2012 Report Share Posted November 12, 2012 Very nice write up, should help a lot of people out! Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/caleb.arnold.9809 YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/CustomAudioChannel?feature=watch Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CarAudioFab Posted November 12, 2012 Author Report Share Posted November 12, 2012 Wow this is great! Extremely informative! I plan on watching all of the videos as all as I get some free time! Thanks! No problem! Do me a huge favor and come back and let me know what you thought, I would really appreicate it! Great writeup! Thanks! Very nice write up, should help a lot of people out! I hope so, just trying to spread the knowledge! -Mark Host of "CarAudioFabrication" - YouTube Car Audio Tutorial Channel Check out my forum section here on SMD for my builds and tutorial videos! Subscribe on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/CarAudioFabrication Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IKnowImLost224 Posted November 14, 2012 Report Share Posted November 14, 2012 That helped a lot! I'm new to using a router so I found this to be very cool and informative! Out of curiosity are most router tables supposed to have that height adjustment on the table cause I don't think mine does but that seems very handy! Also I am a novice box builder but enjoy doing it, could you make a video on how to make a simple mdf slot ported box look nicer using router tricks? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CarAudioFab Posted November 15, 2012 Author Report Share Posted November 15, 2012 That helped a lot! I'm new to using a router so I found this to be very cool and informative! Out of curiosity are most router tables supposed to have that height adjustment on the table cause I don't think mine does but that seems very handy! Also I am a novice box builder but enjoy doing it, could you make a video on how to make a simple mdf slot ported box look nicer using router tricks? Good idea! I am sure I will be doing a few things as I still need to make a box for my build. Some router tables have it, some don't it is definitely a very nice feature to have, and as the table I am using as at the extreme low end of the cost spectrum, it is nice that it has it. -Mark Host of "CarAudioFabrication" - YouTube Car Audio Tutorial Channel Check out my forum section here on SMD for my builds and tutorial videos! Subscribe on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/CarAudioFabrication Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zydrix Posted November 15, 2012 Report Share Posted November 15, 2012 looks amazing! comes in handy for me for sure. should be getting my speakers in for my doors an my kicks. so i can start doing that, an really make my stuff look good My build 98 s10 2.2 3 american bass HD 15s with psi soft parts. (on there way here) atomic at-3000.1 (soon) 146.2 outlaw @39hz., bad alt an bad batt when termed (old 2 12" build) alpine 6.5s in doors infinty 4x6s in dash. clarion cz201 HU. mechman 240a H/O alt stuff i still need. SHCA 2/0 wire SHCA 1/0 to 2/0 adapters Atomic AT-3000.1 Lots of sound deadner new mids an highs, still debating on what to do. A few Deka g31 batts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.