Enclosure Building For Dummies

[white4d96]

I am gearing up to do my first enclosure build. Problem is: I have no earthly idea what the hell I'm doing. I know I need to build the box out of 3/4" MDF, and I have a plan (much thanks to BanginOnABudget) but I don't know what else I need, or how to build it. I am planning on cutting the pieces at my school's construction room on my release, so that part is out of the way, but what about fitting everything together? Bracing? Carpeting?

[white4d96]

Anyone got any pointers?

[Boon]

Don't use too many screws and when you do, pre-drill the holes. Remember the screws are only there to hold the shape while the glue dries.

Use lots and lots of a good quality glue.

Measure thrice, check it again, cut once carefully.

Don't worry overly about bracing unless you're doing something crazy, which you shouldn't on a first box anyway.

If you get stuck, ask questions

[BanginOnABudget]

ur gonna hafta take a trip to lowes! ur gonna need a whole bottle of wood glue if your gonna build a box.

FIRST STEP once u have ur MDF(or whatever ur using) measure out all ur pieces, but if your gonna put pieces side-by-side, remember to add a little for the width of the blade on the saw. the first time a made i box i forgot that. just make sure your measurements are correct, and mapped out.

TWO if you need help, get a buddy to help you cut.

THREE if you have compressed air, try to blow all the dust out of the side of the pirces you cut out, the glue bonds better that way

FOUR start assembly, but start with the front of the box first(so you can caulk/woodglue the inside) (also remember that you should round the corners on your port)

after you have everything together, and "glued and screwed" as i call it, let it dry for a half hour or so, wood glue dosent dry very quickly.

put the back of the box on blue around it aswell for an extra airtight seal.

IF YOUR GOING TO WRAP THE BOX:

if your going to wrap it, remember that you always want the seam's unvisable. the bottom is ok, but i prefer the back, simply because if you move the box around too much, the carpet on the bottom may start to peel.

trim any carpet around the port, this does slightly make it louder. try to paint the port close to the color of the box, or black, or something that will look good(if you intend to paint the port)

PAINTING THE BOX:

i would prefer spraypaint myself, i would say get 4 cans of flat/primer and 2 cans of gloss first spray the box down with ur flat/primer and sand it down till its smooth, then repeat once again, sand, and if you can again, repeat and sant. it should be NIIIICE and smooth. whipe it down with a 40% alcohol 60% water mixture, to get all ur dust off, the whipe it dry(if any liquid remains) so its niiice and smooth. then, mistcoat ur gloss paint, dont try to do the whole box in one coat, just mist it on from about 8 inches, dont move slowly. doing this 10 times wont take long (in mist coats) and that will pretty much empty 2 cans(knowing your box), then get some wax(if you want to)but make sure its something good. wax the box a couple of times and you should have an amazing box.

im sure i forgot a few things, but im not feeling too well at the moment, so i know my mind is a messed up. any questions, just repost here or PM me, im putting 2 amps, a ehad unit, 6 speakers, and two subs in a buddys nissan so i might not respond quickyly, but i will respond as fast as i can.