What box material to use?

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Topic: What box material to use?

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xpl
Senior Member
Member # 17421

posted

I am building a frame for my box out of 1" square steel tubing and I was going to wrap it with 1" MDF, however a friend of mine told me I should switch to Birch Plywood, that it is lighter weight and stronger than MDF.

Is that the case? Is it better? I made the switch from Plywood to Particle Board to MDF over the years, now is Birch Plywood really what I should be using, or what?

Give me some direction - this is for a daily driver that will pound pretty well - 4 12" with about 3-4k of power on 12v.

Give me some feedback please (and thank you).

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Posts: 1299 | From: Topeka, KS | Registered: Jun 2005 | IP: Logged |

quote:

it would all be for nothing without my favorite cawk-smoker NAvi

deaf tones
Senior Member
Member # 3439

posted

yes, birch plywood FTW. it's lighter, stronger & smells a lot better [Smile]

...you make up for that in price though

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[Big Grin]

quote:
it would all be for nothing without my favorite cawk-smoker NAvi

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Mr. C
Senior Member
Member # 18310

posted

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

Baller move going with the birch.

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AudioAnonymous
Senior Member
Member # 15369

posted

If you get the Baltic birch don;t get the cheap Home Depot stuff.

Make sure it's cross layered and void free (more expensive and stiffer)

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Cactus Sounds N. America

project db (SM3-4 North American National Champion)

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IMPALAMAN1
Senior Member
Member # 3314

posted

makes less sawdust too!

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1968 IMPALA......

CLARION DRX9375R
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4 OZ 5 1/4 IN THE KICKS
2 OZ 8" (200L)IN THE DOORS
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xpl
Senior Member
Member # 17421

posted

well so far - Im not hearing any negatives to this. When we say $$$$ - what are we saying? I mean - I just dropped (fairly recently) $45 bucks a sheet for 1" MDF.

Is it more than that? If so - ballpark it for me. If not - ballpark it for me anyway please.

[Smile]

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AudioAnonymous
Senior Member
Member # 15369

posted

Well. Up here in Green Bay, Wisconsin Home Depot charges around 22 bucks for 3/4" 4x8 sheet of MDF. Menards (up here)is where the void free better Birch was at 59.99 for 13 layer(3/4") for a 4x8 sheet.

--------------------
Cactus Sounds N. America

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Posts: 2237 | From: WI | Registered: Jun 2004 | IP: Logged |

quote:

Originally posted by xpl:
well so far - Im not hearing any negatives to this. When we say $$$$ - what are we saying? I mean - I just dropped (fairly recently) $45 bucks a sheet for 1" MDF.

Is it more than that? If so - ballpark it for me. If not - ballpark it for me anyway please.

Prices:

3/4" plywood 4x8 sheet: $18
3/4" MDF 4x8 sheet: $23 and change
3/4" premium birch 4x8 sheet: $60

Hate to see the price of a 4x8 sheet of 1" or 1.5" good quality birch.

--------------------
SQ car: Kenwood DNX7100/6.5" Quart comps/
US Amps TU-4360/Stinger expert wires

SQL car: Alpine 7995/AudioControl DQX /MB Quart 6.5 comps
2 US Amps USA 2000's & 4300x/ 2 DD 9915's [Smile]

HT: 55" Mitsubishi HDTV/ Monster Cable AVS 2000 & HTS 5100/
modded Sony ES receiver/ Def Tech speakers/ XBox 360/ PS3

Mr. C
Senior Member
Member # 18310

posted

quote:
Originally posted by xpl:
well so far - Im not hearing any negatives to this. When we say $$$$ - what are we saying? I mean - I just dropped (fairly recently) $45 bucks a sheet for 1" MDF.

Is it more than that? If so - ballpark it for me. If not - ballpark it for me anyway please.

HT: 55" Mitsubishi HDTV/ Monster Cable AVS 2000 & HTS 5100/
modded Sony ES receiver/ Def Tech speakers/ XBox 360/ PS3

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xpl
Senior Member
Member # 17421

posted

Im wrapping this around a steel frame, so I think 3/4" should be just fine - for now anyway.

Thanks all.

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Posts: 1299 | From: Topeka, KS | Registered: Jun 2005 | IP: Logged |

Kartunes WI
New Member
Member # 18972

posted

We use apple ply from time to time and it is solid as hell and light. It is expensive though... around $100-$120 a sheet for one inch. Great looking wood though, clean cuts, hardly any saw dust. Just my 2 cents.

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Mike Schwitz
Installation Manager/Fabricator
Kartunes Auto Sound & Security

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RFLfestiva
Member
Member # 14229

posted

Just go with free-air subs, then you don't have to worry about the box.......Ha ha J/K
I used MDF inside the cab, but on the doors I used birch plywood, it kept the doors light but strong. Have you figured out how much steel tubing you need? That way we can figure out how heavy the box will end up weighing for both MDF/plywood. maybe that will help you figure out which one to go with.

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