Another sealed box ????

[emsdad 10+ year member]

I built a sealed box out of 1/2" MDF for my 10"W3. First off I did not like the strength......it was not very strong. After I built it I dont know if my truck shrunk or I miscalculated the space because it would not fit. I took the box I built and cut it down to get the dimensions that would fit. Now I want to build another box. My question is if I build the front, bottom and side out of 3/4" MDF and the back out of 1/2" MDF would I have the same inside depth (not cu. ft.) as I would if I built it out of 1/2". I hope that is an understandble question. I half to have 5.93" to get the sub in the box. If I am thinking correctly the front and sides being built out of 3/4" should not affect the depth but the back will. After I got the box that I built to fit the sub fit in it but with NO room to spare.

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[Spac3d 10+ year member]

My question is if I build the front, bottom and side out of 3/4" MDF and the back out of 1/2" MDF would I have the same inside depth (not cu. ft.) as I would if I built it out of 1/2".

//content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/eyebrow.gif.fe2c18d8720fe8c7eaed347b21ea05a5.gif Since you are not making the box any bigger, the box would have to be 1/4" narrower to accomodate the 3/4" MDF over 1/2" MDF. So yes, you would lose 1/4" inside depth and your internal box volume would be less as well.

 

[emsdad 10+ year member]

I understand that my inside area will be smaller as far as cu. ft. . I am wondering since the sub sets on the outside of the front if I used 1/2" on the back it would be the same clearance on the inside as if I built the whole box out of 1/2". I know this is confusing and please bear with me. Thank You!

 

[Spac3d 10+ year member]

Oh I see what you are asking now. You want to know if you make the box 1/4" narrower, if the sub sits any closer to the back wall ... well you are adding 1/4" to the front of the box, so it is a wash.

 

[emsdad 10+ year member]

Thats what I thought. I just wanted someone else to tell me what I was thinking. Sorry it was confusing. What is the best way to put the box together.......nails, screws(what kind) and I know plenty of wood glue. I put the first one together with sheetrock screws and pre-drilled them but it still split the MDF. Not much to work with when you are working with 1/2".

 

[Flyhalf 10+ year member]

The best way to work with 1/2" MDF is brad nails and wood glue. If you don't have a brad nailer, I wouldn't try to use screws. Using screws pretty much has to be done with 3/4". And never use nails that have to be hammered in. If you use 1/2 MDF, glue with wood glue and secure with brad nails, it will be solid. I've built 3 boxes this way. All very solid. Especially with a 1 sub setup.

That being said, since you are mounting the sub on the outside of a 3/4" panel, you should gain 1/4". But, you will lose that clearance between the sub and the seatback. Good luck.

 

[emsdad 10+ year member]

I dont have brad nailer. I had to go out and buy a jig saw. If I try again with the 1/2" MDF what screws do I use? If I decide to use 3/4" what do I use?

 

[Flyhalf 10+ year member]

If you don't have a brad nailer, I would use clamps. I woudn't recommend using screws with 1/2". But if I had to, I would use a 1" wood screw and as always, pre-drill every hole. If you're going to use 3/4", then I would use at least 1 1/4" wood screws. Always pre-drill your holes and stay far enough away from the edges so they don't split. Good luck.