cost to build a box?

[GabeC 10+ year member]

never built a box from scratch before and was wondering how much the total cost for one is? i'd be building one for either 2 12's or 3 12's ported most likely.

also, what materials aside from mdf?

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[bsean63 10+ year member]

GL man i just had mine built for me, if i were you thats what id do

 

[TheFiverMan 10+ year member]

about 40-50 dollars..

 

[GabeC 10+ year member]

GL man i just had mine built for me, if i were you thats what id do

nah i've built stuff before and am good with my hands, just need to know the details before i go buy stuff and end up not having something i need

 

[bsean63 10+ year member]

haha well good luck

 

[JG903 10+ year member]

MDF of course, Wood glue ( I use Titebond III), Wood clamps, jigsaw, circular saw and some screws. This is if you are on a budget. If you wanted, you could get a router and a table saw.

 

[darkhunter139 10+ year member]

Yeah it cost probably like 30-50 bucks

You need a bottle of wood clue

About 4 bucks

Silcone 5 or 6 dollars

sheet of mdf 25ish

Screws would probably be the only other thing you would need unless you want to carpet it

 

[darkhunter139 10+ year member]

MDF of course, Wood glue ( I use Titebond III), Wood clamps, jigsaw, circular saw and some screws. This is if you are on a budget. If you wanted, you could get a router and a table saw.

I think I want to get a router for my next box build. I did the first one with a jig saw and it was not very clean of a cut.

How much do they usually cost?

 

[avs20 10+ year member]

Well, you will need 1 sheet of 3/4 MDF. I believe it's ~$22 a sheet. Pick up some wood glue, titebond, elmers, whatever you prefer. Silicone caulking to seal seams, or fiberglass resin, etc.

Those are basics. Do you have a brad nailer? If not, then you'll need some screws. Countersink bit? If you use screws, you will need one of these, or at least predrill. What about clamps? Not necessary but makes things alot easier.

Also, a jigsaw or a circular saw. Preferrably both. Router? The list can go on and on

 

[JeepSound 10+ year member]

Definitely pre-drill before you screw it together. The MDF will split if you don't.

Thats about all I can add seeing as everyone else pretty much has you covered.

 

[avs20 10+ year member]

I think I want to get a router for my next box build. I did the first one with a jig saw and it was not very clean of a cut.
How much do they usually cost?

Depending on what you want, fixed, plunge, both..right around $100-150 for a decent one.

 

[SPY 5,000+ posts]

MDF - $25

Screws - $5

Glue - $3

Tools needed

Saw - table saw or circular saw

Power drill/screwdriver and bits

Router or jig saw for circle cutout

Clamps help but you could do it with out them

Time and patience - this is the biggest key to building a good box.

 

[DD_Dave 10+ year member]

about $40.00

 

[JG903 10+ year member]

you can get a router probably for about $80. Router + jasper jig = FTW

 

[avs20 10+ year member]

We forgot a few important things! Tape measurer obviously. A T-Square or a good straight edged ruler. I think HD has the 60" ruler for around 15-20. The T-square is around 25-30.

 

[mobeious 10+ year member]

ehh well one of my boxes if it takes 1 sheet with carpet will cost me around 100 bucks

but i use TruPan Ultralite wich is around 50 a sheet and carpet is usualy around 20-25 with glue then u got screws and glue... i just use wood glue in the seams... if u get the cuts right u dont need anything realy

but a simple box with MDF can be done for around 50 bucks

 

[mlstrass 5,000+ posts]

Where are you guys finding wood glue for $3-4??? I pay around $9 for Titebond II.

Also add in black paint for the port, $20+ for 2 rolls of carpet, and $10+ for the spray glue. MDF is about $26 out the door at my HD. Also need some 10g wire and terminals.

It's not really as cheap as some guys make it out to be, but still much cheaper to do it yourself if you have the tools or can borrow them...

 

[3kracing 10+ year member]

If you get all of your dimensions before you go to home depot or lowes you can just ask them to cut all of the sides of the box. Thats what I did. It took about 5 minutes and everything came out nice and straight and probably saved me a good hour or so.

 

[avs20 10+ year member]

I wouldnt trust home depot to cut a 2x4 in half left alone cut pieces for my box.

 

[geowick07 10+ year member]

You can have Home Depot do your cuts, just have them cut everything 1/2" long or so. Then, just trim everything up to true specs. i just have them cut the sheet in half, as i don't have a truck. I have to put the MDF on top of the car usually.

Home Depot has a sign by the saw that says "No project cuts", but slip the guy a tip, and you would be amazed how well they can do project cuts.

To summarize:

1 sheet 3/4" MDF: ~$25

1 5/8" screws (I use drywall, they seem to work well) - $5

Bottle of Titebond III - $5-10

Tape measure

Table saw

Jig saw or Router

Good drill bit and countersink

~$50 for a MDF box.....plus carpet and adhesive if you are going that route.

Good luck. I enjoyed building my first.