1/2” birch ply sufficient for box build?

[Bobbytwonames 5,000+ posts]

My sanded pine was $59 a sheet. It has 7 layers total but has 3 different thicknesses with the outer layers being the thinest.
Cuts clean. The last wood I bought was horrible it splintered really bad near the cut not sure what kind it was.

You should try and get the 13 layer ¾" or 17 layer 1". We het the 17 layer Russian Baltic Birch for $75/sheet.

 

[West1 10+ year member]

This is what we get at our local Lowe’s

 

[Firewalker]

Nothing wrong with Maple or Sanded Pine people have been making boxes out of those for a long time.

 

[West1 10+ year member]

Nothing wrong with Maple or Sanded Pine people have been making boxes out of those for a long time.

Thanks. I got it and cut it up. Should start building it this weekend or next.

 

[Bobbytwonames 5,000+ posts]

This is what we get at our local Lowe’s

As long as it's more than 5 or 6 layers. The plywood without that many layers tends to split when screwing it together.

 

[Clifff150 10+ year member]

My small town local stores have just a few options. Which would y’all choose?
3/4 Maple 5 ply
3/4 Red Oak 5 ply
3/4 Birch 5 ply
3/4 Sanded Pine 7 ply

Or should I order 13 ply Birch online?

 

[Bobbytwonames 5,000+ posts]

My small town local stores have just a few options. Which would y’all choose?
3/4 Maple 5 ply
3/4 Red Oak 5 ply
3/4 Birch 5 ply
3/4 Sanded Pine 7 ply

Or should I order 13 ply Birch online?

Pine is your best choice.

 

[Bobbytwonames 5,000+ posts]

My small town local stores have just a few options. Which would y’all choose?
3/4 Maple 5 ply
3/4 Red Oak 5 ply
3/4 Birch 5 ply
3/4 Sanded Pine 7 ply

Or should I order 13 ply Birch online?

Sorry, order the 13 ply Birch online. I didn't see that last choice.

 

[shredder2]

Sorry, order the 13 ply Birch online. I didn't see that last choice.

I have to agree... buy that 1 ply Russian if you can afford it.
.6785" thick it is (NOT .75") and a real designer can account for that extra 1/16".
Some of my best designs utilized 11/16" Russian and et me say this... it's like solid. Brace it and forget it I say

Even 11/16" thick beat .75" of any breed, I hate these material arguments asking for data.... fuckit. Bracing counts too but given a choice I'd buy 13ply Russian everytime.
It 's worth the cost imo. My preferred/local builder insists on the best... so.... I hate designs now, .6875" material thickness?.. guaranteed to find a alien port area with a bit more volume.... I digress.
I suppose that's why you contact a pro.
I'm no pro myself... just USED to compete.
I wish I'd had a Neo to play with when I did shows... I had that power but ferrite efficiency only goes so far.

 

[Slo_Ride 5,000+ posts]

I use 3/4" melamine backed hdf cause I get it for free.

 

[shredder2]

I use 3/4" melamine backed hdf cause I get it for free.

That's what dude uses for anything lighter weight or prefab, Idc either way.... I brace accordingly. Hdf can d the job if FACTORED in, II still swear by Russian Birch... .6875" thickness and all... anyways....

Amazing how sum 6.5" slam. Prefabs... Sure Wilbur

HDF boxes btw...

I'm NOT a small sub guy but will admit they can do the job. He did a dual Xfl-12 box that pushed 150db with that Hdf so it's solid, but materials always factor in the design.... Ima geek like that... sorry. Rise and all.... lol, We use 6" lag bolts /w/ resin and PL down here in Az to hold OUR boxes down (less rise). 100% #Facts... we got a bridge for sale on the border too.
Given larger more capable subs for instance I insisted on a 2 ply triple baffled design for a single Zv5-15... on 5K... Sanded pine...

Or nailing it with a 2py , triple baffled Russian birch design... this thing was crazy I was told.

Materials go out the window once you go 4-15's wired down on 16v.. I heard this one did 156+ out the gate on 4K clamped or so

... but these guys are THOSE guys... crazy what testing can do isn't it?... I heard it was 158+ on 4K last report clamping the same... tuned 28hz this thing is peaking low... Hi voltage-low wired-dead cabin (or setup)... a pair of budget amps shouldn't put out THIS well.
Man... I do kinda miss the shows (and the people) until I remember driving 100-300mi to sit in 100+ degree heat, watch god knows who cut in line and if I won I'd walk away with a license plate for a trophy and be on "the list"... lol.
Az list?.. i think I made the Usaci 3K stock list somewhere along the way as well. Certified Spl ... fuk all these crazy numbers coming outta smaller shows, a regional or final where its not a collection of buddies metering you. Gee... I wonder why I just stopped competing?

I saw some shady stuff... but I digress.

I like that Hdf

 

[Bobbytwonames 5,000+ posts]

For the big boy boxes like this 8-15" box. 1" 17 ply Baltic Birch does the trick.

 

[shredder2]

For the big boy boxes like this 8-15" box. 1" 17 ply Baltic Birch does the trick.

View attachment 27019

That's a single ply enclosure? Just me but I hate the 2 subs off plane... its like trying to stuff subs in a smallish space requirement.
I seen this posted once or twice before... How about the install man?
There's NO way that's the end result

 

[Firewalker]

Agreed! No way would I personally do that with a single baffle even with 1" birch like that with 8 15" subwoofers regardless of the brand. Has to be more to that design.

 

[Bobbytwonames 5,000+ posts]

Agreed! No way would I personally do that with a single baffle even with 1" birch like that with 8 15" subwoofers regardless of the brand. Has to be more to that design.

Believe me, he braced it plenty. 17 layer 1" is strong AF. Just like these other two.

That's a single ply enclosure? Just me but I hate the 2 subs off plane... its like trying to stuff subs in a smallish space requirement.
I seen this posted once or twice before... How about the install man?
There's NO way that's the end result

You can't see all of the bracing that was done.