5 @ 22hz HT sub build log

[Immacomputer 10+ year member]

You may also get other lines as time goes and the paint expands and contracts. Some joints sink in after a while.
What'd you use to apply the hammered metal? I'm guessing you used the liquid can, as the spray stuff sucks. I've used a foam brush, but it never seems to come out that smooth/glossy.

Actually, I used one of the spray paint cans to apply it. The first two coats looked horrible and I was about ready to sand it off and start over but the third coat went on really nice and looks much better and even. Don't ask me how as the first two coats did not look even at all.

ive always used bondo on just the seams... if the glue shows then you didnt used enough primer... i prime, then carfully wetsand... takes time, but worth it in the end
also, try spacing the cuts 1/2" apart next time //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/wink.gif.608e3ea05f1a9f98611af0861652f8fb.gif

Next time, I'm going to use bondo and a different primer. I might try one of the wood sealer primers.

 

[dcole18 5,000+ posts]

Actually, I used one of the spray paint cans to apply it. The first two coats looked horrible and I was about ready to sand it off and start over but the third coat went on really nice and looks much better and even. Don't ask me how as the first two coats did not look even at all.


Next time, I'm going to use bondo and a different primer. I might try one of the wood sealer primers.

use bondo and a good heavy filler primer

 

[bjfish11 5,000+ posts]

ive always used bondo on just the seams... if the glue shows then you didnt used enough primer... i prime, then carfully wetsand... takes time, but worth it in the end
also, try spacing the cuts 1/2" apart next time //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/wink.gif.608e3ea05f1a9f98611af0861652f8fb.gif

//content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

 

[Immacomputer 10+ year member]

But that would change the flare radius, wouldn't it? When I experimented a while back, the spacing directly related to the flare radius and I designed the enclosure with this specific flare. The bends don't show up in person like they do on camera and especially not inside a house.

I took the enclosure outside to get some sun and get it nice and fully cured. After that, I'm going to take my test piece and see how it responds to some light automotive rubbing compound. So far, the finish is already very smooth but there are a couple of rough patches that I assume are from over spray. The rubbing compound should get rid of it.

Here are some more pictures in the sun. I used the sun because it's the most critical light -- it shows every flaw in high detail.

I'm pretty happy with it in the sun and there are only minor spots that are noticeable "meh" but everything else looks pretty good (not including the **** joint lines!). I think I'm going to mount the amp first and give it a listen before putting the grill on!

 

[audioarsonal 10+ year member]

Very nice craftsmanship!

And I'm with everyone else on the bodyfiller.If I paint anything I like to use a light coat to hide any of the joints or roughness of the end grain.

 

[dcole18 5,000+ posts]

if you space them 1/2" apart there is less chance of spliting... and as for the radius, you dont really have to bend the wood back as far as is it will go IF you fill in the gaps/relief cuts with something to strengthen the bend (woodglue or fiberglass) then you could bend the piece at any radius you wanted...

but, like i said... i think it looks GREAT!!!

//content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

i see you there //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/cool.gif.3bcaf8f141236c00f8044d07150e34f7.gif

 

[Immacomputer 10+ year member]

Eh, I would rather have the relief cuts join when I bend it. My last few pieces have bent very easily with no signs of splitting. The first one I ever did with some birch split on me but I believe that was due to the relief cuts no all having the same depth since I was trying to kerf a 60" piece of wood by myself on a 30" table saw with no carts to support the extra width.

Thanks for the comments everybody; I'll be sure to get final pics up and maybe a video if anybody wants one.

 

[dcole18 5,000+ posts]

ughh... ive done all my kerf's with a circular saw //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/crap.gif.7f4dd41e3e9b23fbd170a1ee6f65cecc.gif

they turn out ok but i would like to see what i can do with a good table saw

 

[PV Audio 5,000+ posts]

**** a flushbit! My ends were extremely flush and the end grain was sealed very well. It was the glue line that shows. Maybe I should seal the enclosure with a glue/water mixture after finely sanding everything down and then use bondo on the wood grain or on the entire thing? **** that sounds like a *****. haha
I used a 1" spacing between cuts (10 cuts total) and it gave about a 6" flare.

No no no! Oil based sealant first, then waterbased. The problem with using a gluewash sealant first (I just learned this after advocating it so strongly), is that it causes the wood to swell, which makes any endgrain issues much worse. Oil based sealants slowly seep into the wood and aren't really absorbed quickly like waterbased ones are. After a few coats of the oilbased, then hit it with the gluewash to make it super smooth.

 

[Immacomputer 10+ year member]

No no no! Oil based sealant first, then waterbased. The problem with using a gluewash sealant first (I just learned this after advocating it so strongly), is that it causes the wood to swell, which makes any endgrain issues much worse. Oil based sealants slowly seep into the wood and aren't really absorbed quickly like waterbased ones are. After a few coats of the oilbased, then hit it with the gluewash to make it super smooth.

Thanks for the heads up!

 

[twisztdauthorit 10+ year member]

Thats a very neat looking box, i like the paint.

 

[Immacomputer 10+ year member]

Thanks, I appreciate it.

I got them installed with the amp mounted and so far, I'm pretty impressed. They drop pretty **** low and the output matches, if not surpasses, my av12 (granted it is on less power). I've only been able to listen to a few songs so far (some Orphaned Land and NIN) and I'm enjoying it. I need to watch a few movies to get a feel for it (Transformers and Event Horizon here I come...).

Here are the 98% finished pictures:

The amp doesn't sit perfectly flush at the bottom but it does at the top. It's good enough to not cause any leaks but not perfect. Oh well.

Oh, the actual tuning frequency seems to be off by a little more than what I was expecting. It's tuned around 25hz instead of 22hz. It's still able to drop pretty **** low and should be great for home use at moderate volumes (this family is not full of bassheads). Off to go play some ping pong...

 

[IgnoreMe 5,000+ posts]

wow. looking good bro!

more and more impressed, as the thread progresses.

 

[quakerroatmeal 10+ year member]

Pictures with the grill on? Looks good though, but 5cubes seem pretty **** big.

 

[bjfish11 5,000+ posts]

Yes, if you change the spacing, it will effect the radius of the flare. BUT, 10 cuts, 1/2" apart will give you a PERFECT 3.5" radius flare. Perfect meaning 90*

And yes, I would suggest making all the relief cuts touch, otherwise there isnt much material there structurally...