Glue Holds Bbox Together, Not Screws?

[ladybridgeport]

Another installer I work with says glue holds the box together screws don't. He said you only need 4 screws to hold a box together until the glue dries or clamps. what are your thoughts of not using screws on a high power subwoofer enclosure. For example two 18 inch soundstream X3-182 on the soundstream XXX1500D about 9,300 watts. Each sub in their own enclosure. So what do you think about no screws or staples, just glue?

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[Buck 5,000+ posts]

Glue is really the only bond that matters when building a box. Screw cans add a little extra strength under severe conditions but once the glue dries, you can back them out. It doesn't matter either way. The glue creates an enormously strong bond.

 

[esmokah 10+ year member]

yes, glue is what holds things together. my box is held together with glue. i think there's 4 screws holding the port pieces in place (while the glue was drying).

 

[nbellowe 10+ year member]

Yeah, I had emailed both of them immediately, but the memphis is sale pending, and the RE's I haven't heard back on. I'm still searching though! Thanks for the advice on the boss, and I will keep on looking!

 

[813thumper 10+ year member]

Yeah, I had emailed both of them immediately, but the memphis is sale pending, and the RE's I haven't heard back on. I'm still searching though! Thanks for the advice on the boss, and I will keep on looking!

lulz

 

[813thumper 10+ year member]

There was a video done by AMI Creations a while back and he tested this with just a glue bond, glue with brad nails, and glue with screws. The straight up glue bond failed first, the the brad nails, then the one with screws after a much more significant amount of weight was applied. I can't find the video.

 

[double 07 10+ year member]

I am old school when it comes to the box thing.........I have always for 22 years used glue, pre-drilled holes, screws, and caulk the inside as well.......Call me old fashioned but it has always worked........No air comes out of my box unless it has a PORT in it...........I have never had a box come apart either and I have some running some major juice to the subs installed.............Good luck

 

[tommyk90 5,000+ posts]

If I used JUST glue I know my boxes will break.

Glue makes a good bond, yes, but it doesn't give it much tensile strength. I've easily hammered off baffles of boxes after backing the screws out. This is using titebond II on MDF with screws every 4-5".

Screws hold it much more securely, IMO.

 

[Phoenix Risen 10+ year member]

i use loctite pl premium advanced.

ive had to change the baffle on one of my boxes and had to cut the **** thing off with a jig saw. tried to knock it off with a hammer and the mdf just split.

 

[tommyk90 5,000+ posts]

i use loctite pl premium advanced.
ive had to change the baffle on one of my boxes and had to cut the **** thing off with a jig saw. tried to knock it off with a hammer and the mdf just split.

This is also one reason why screws still benefit even after the glue is dried.

Just because the bonded surfaces stay together doesn't mean the wood can't separate in another spot. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

 

[Phoenix Risen 10+ year member]

This is also one reason why screws still benefit even after the glue is dried.
Just because the bonded surfaces stay together doesn't mean the wood can't separate in another spot. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

yep, i still use screws, as well as silicone on the inside or resin depending.

 

[hispls 5,000+ posts]

Under normal conditions assuming your glue and seems are done properly glue has enough strength. In reality, get it a little wet, bang it around a bit, etc. and you'll wish you left the screws in...

 

[keep_hope_alive Premium Member]

Glue together, brace panels, then fiberglass all seams, 6-8 layers or so. This will be stronger than anything listed so far. And a coat of resin will help maintain tuning. Don't forget MDF is porous.

want more strength? Multiple layers with overlapping seams and glass that.

 

[RAM_Designs 5,000+ posts]

Screws hold it much more securely, IMO.

This. On smaller installs it's not a big deal. But with high powered setups that layer of MDF that is glued at the joint will literally peel off and separate that pieces that way. The screws keep the joints from coming apart in that way. Fiberglass for extra strength.

 

[ciaonzo 5,000+ posts]

Screws and glues.

It's a no-brainer, like boats and hoes.