Mdf vs. Ply?

[Kangaroux 5,000+ posts]

they wanted over 90 bucks per sheet for these bad boys at my local lumber place

Was it 13 ply baltic birch? You can pick up some ply wood that isn't absolutely amazing but still doable for around $35 at your local HD/lowes. Birch is usually $45 a sheet at hd/lowes.

 

[DakotaSPL 10+ year member]

it was 7 ply i think but with 3 layers of the 1/2 osb glued and screwed to it, stronger then i thought it would be, glad it isnt mdf im so scared of breaking that stuff. and not having to pre drill all the holes is a plus, just screw it and move on, nothing split

 

[DakotaSPL 10+ year member]

Was it 13 ply baltic birch? You can pick up some ply wood that isn't absolutely amazing but still doable for around $35 at your local HD/lowes. Birch is usually $45 a sheet at hd/lowes.

my local place isnt the greatest, one of those 9 out of 10 2x4's twisted and bowed kinda places

 

[double 07 10+ year member]

If you do another PLY enclosure look for Arauco 23/32"....I have built a ton of enclosures out of it including my personal one without a problem.....just brace it properly like you would any other enclosure....

 

[Fi-brations 10+ year member]

Was it 13 ply baltic birch? You can pick up some ply wood that isn't absolutely amazing but still doable for around $35 at your local HD/lowes. Birch is usually $45 a sheet at hd/lowes.

you can only get that 13ply baltic stuff from Russia

 

[Kangaroux 5,000+ posts]

you can only get that 13ply baltic stuff from Russia

My local HD sells it but it's only in 2x2 project panels

 

[maylar 10+ year member]

Was it 13 ply baltic birch? You can pick up some ply wood that isn't absolutely amazing but still doable for around $35 at your local HD/lowes. Birch is usually $45 a sheet at hd/lowes.

Just picked up a half sheet (24x48") from Home Depot for $19. 13 ply Birch (not Baltic). They also had 3/4 "hardwood" ply for a few bucks more. White wood, looked like poplar.

 

[Kangaroux 5,000+ posts]

Just picked up a half sheet (24x48") from Home Depot for $19. 13 ply Birch (not Baltic). They also had 3/4 "hardwood" ply for a few bucks more. White wood, looked like poplar.

Yep it's poplar. They have poplar at my HD that's on clearance and I use that for my builds. Did it have the veneer on it?

 

[CHEMMINS 10+ year member]

you can only get that 13ply baltic stuff from Russia

Say wut? You can get Russian Baltic Birch anywhere. Any decent wood place sells it (aka not a box store). Usually in a 5x5' sheet. 4x8' can be had but very rare.

 

[Fi-brations 10+ year member]

Say wut? You can get Russian Baltic Birch anywhere. Any decent wood place sells it (aka not a box store). Usually in a 5x5' sheet. 4x8' can be had but very rare.

I read a thread on diyma that had a lot of ppl discussing it, something about the true 13 ply baltic was only available buying directly from Russia, but I would not be surprised if an actual wood store had it

 

[CHEMMINS 10+ year member]

I read a thread on diyma that had a lot of ppl discussing it, something about the true 13 ply baltic was only available buying directly from Russia, but I would not be surprised if an actual wood store had it

I should find that thread over there......cause them 2 sheets I have in my garage would probably make them crap a brick......especially since I got it local.

 

[Imtjnotu 5,000+ posts]

some ply is easy to bend....depends on the quality but most home depot is good....generally ive seen people who use ply resin the inside

 

[Fi-brations 10+ year member]

I should find that thread over there......cause them 2 sheets I have in my garage would probably make them crap a brick......especially since I got it local.

Can't find it :/ but found this thought it was interesting

Birch vs. MDF test (spl results inside) - Realm of Excursion

Birch vs. MDF test (spl results inside)

two identical box's were made. one out of mdf, and the other birch. the specs on them are 1.25 cubic feet net with .75'' wood thickness. each had a 12'' type R. both box's were sanded in the interior walls with the same grit sand paper. both speakers were brand new. voltage was held constant on battery.

mdf:

1100 watts: 139.8

2800 watts: 143.7

birch

1100 watts: 139.8

2800 watts: 143.7

both had the same output. this may change when larger box's are used, but when small box's are used one does not have the benefit over the other in terms of spl.

__________________

 

[Ignatowski 5,000+ posts]

i have plenty of ply laying around but mdf is over 30 bucks a sheet and ill need 9 sheets of that to make a box, 3 layer front 2 on each side with bracing inside all glued and screwed bout a 10 cube or so box same as one in my pictures, so that being said wont both be just as equally strong when its all said and done? honestly in the past i had noticed no difference from a mdf or ply box construction of same dimensions or I could be going deaf... thoughts?

crazy....plywood for a sub box......

 

[srb 10+ year member]

If you do another PLY enclosure look for Arauco 23/32"....I have built a ton of enclosures out of it including my personal one without a problem.....just brace it properly like you would any other enclosure....

That stuff is nice. And fairly cheap. But I work at HD and it's seasonal product and we sell out of it QUICK.