Dennis' Mach 5 Audio 8kw Van Build

[mjf 10+ year member]

birch unfortunately happens to be twice the price //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/frown.gif.a3531fa0534503350665a1e957861287.gif

 

[mrogowski 5,000+ posts]

hmmm really Ill have to try it

I say half and half since Birch is a softwood and Fir is a hardwood. If you can afford it, go all Fir. Use 3/4" Fir for your average box, including baffle, provided you don't plan to recess your driver.

I notice folks using Spruce 2x4's as bracing. This is wasteful, since Spruce is a soft wood and a 2x4 offers little structural strength lengthwise. It is also wasteful using it for end bracing as well, since it's lack of density will allow your baffle(s) to move before it fully compresses. Don't bother with it.

Threaded rod also offers little strength outside its immediate structural perimeter. If you want to use threaded rod, use two or three "stepped" layers of plywood to increase the perimeter strength. Either that, or use threaded rod say, every 8-10 inches or so.

Give me a minute to put my flame suit on...

 

[mrogowski 5,000+ posts]

birch unfortunately happens to be twice the price //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/frown.gif.a3531fa0534503350665a1e957861287.gif

Eh? I got 3/4" Birch ply (both sides rough) for $25 a sheet. Are you thinking about the solid stuff?

 

[mrogowski 5,000+ posts]

//content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/fyi.gif.9f1f679348da7204ce960cfc74bca8e0.gif awesome:fyi:

I knew you would like this Park. Think of your Caddie... //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/cool.gif.3bcaf8f141236c00f8044d07150e34f7.gif

 

[02parkave 5,000+ posts]

I knew you would like this Park. Think of your Caddie... //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/cool.gif.3bcaf8f141236c00f8044d07150e34f7.gif

i am //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/fyi.gif.9f1f679348da7204ce960cfc74bca8e0.gif i really only need a 2 seater:fyi:

 

[mrogowski 5,000+ posts]

The baffle is done up along with the port. I will only add the one window brace you see here. Just waiting for the glue to dry before adding it.

 

[Mitch86 5,000+ posts]

Eh? I got 3/4" Birch ply (both sides rough) for $25 a sheet. Are you thinking about the solid stuff?

cheap birch PLY is ~$40 a sheet around here. That's for the low ply stuff from Lowes... Hell MDF costs me more than $25 a sheet! //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/crap.gif.7f4dd41e3e9b23fbd170a1ee6f65cecc.gif

Back on topic. The build looks good so far. Cant wait to see it done. I also look forward to my own big M5A build...but cant afford it right now.

 

[DBDesignsElite]

Cool deal another caravan build other then mine. Ill be watching this one, as i havent walled the thing yet.

 

[NeedDirections 10+ year member]

Nice...looking forward to vids

 

[mrogowski 5,000+ posts]

cheap birch PLY is ~$40 a sheet around here. That's for the low ply stuff from Lowes... Hell MDF costs me more than $25 a sheet! //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/crap.gif.7f4dd41e3e9b23fbd170a1ee6f65cecc.gif

Back on topic. The build looks good so far. Cant wait to see it done. I also look forward to my own big M5A build...but cant afford it right now.

Sorry to hear about the high prices man. Consider using 3/4" Fir - expensive, but one layer is all you would need.

 

[mrogowski 5,000+ posts]

One down, one to go

 

[2000LaDe 10+ year member]

looks cool but why didnt u center the port??

 

[mrogowski 5,000+ posts]

I thought of that, but I wanted to take advantage of the side and back panels to save on wood, complexity and time. Frankly, it looks like shit, but will be totally transformed once it is finished and in Dennis' van.

 

[DBDesignsElite]

I can tell you this. Your going to kill that van, trust me. I also suggest you run the hu outside of the dash. I have done all i could to keep the dash from moving but it just doesn't work. lol.

I guess the way you plan on running the source units it shouldn't be a problem.

Looks good so far.

 

[mrogowski 5,000+ posts]

That's a good point actually. We planned to have a back area to place the batteries and other stuff. Do you think having the head unit back there would minimize the issues? There will be a back panel sealing this area off.