plexiglass? a little help

[irishbass]

i am building a bandpass box for my jetta and i was wanting to include a front plexiglass window to show off the subs but i would like to know how thick should it be and what to seal it with screwes or silicone? and where to buy a small sheet of it about 15" by 20" any help would be greatly appreciated.

Click to read more...

 

[brandonloserkid 10+ year member]

lemme ask ya... whyd you pick bandpass?

just wondering...

 

[brandonloserkid 10+ year member]

if you want plexi.... 3/4" should be enough, and you can get it at home depot or even lowes

 

[irishbass]

my friend had the same subs and amp hooked up in a banpass box in his accord and it slammed and looked tight so i was wanting to recreate it

 

[LoudCrownVic 5,000+ posts]

It mostly depends on how bada$$ your system is. 1/2 inch should work for most low to midrange pound, but 3/4 is essential for larger, high spl systems. To make the seal between the 'glass and the box, just use your imagination. Screws and silicone with a "frame" that covers up the screws and silicone, or nice long nickel plated screws or nuts n'bolts sandwiching it all together. Whatever you do, it is a good idea to have a bead of silicone despite how ugly it is, as the plexiglass can if improperly fastened rattle. You can also paint or laser etch the 'glass before you put it on. I personally hate bandpass boxes because if you have to tear them apart it sucks.

 

[brandonloserkid 10+ year member]

i would recommend a ported box..

 

[irishbass]

its a 1000 watt kicker amp w/ 2 15 kicker solo's so probably the thicker plexi

 

[LoneRanger 10+ year member]

Have any of you guys that replied actually worked with plexiglass? It's not like the crap is gonna break or bend on ya!

1/2" is fine for ANY application, and to the best of my knowledge you can't get it at home depot or lowes. your best bet will be to check a place that replaces automotive glass. PLEXI IS NOT CHEAP! I have to pay nearly $10/sq foot for the 1/4" stuff.

 

[LoudCrownVic 5,000+ posts]

Owch! You'll probably be best off to go ported then. That sh!t will hit well enough without the bandpass, and it'll be easier, cheaper, and alot more detailed. Bandpass works the best in enourmous open places, like Suburbans, loose girlfriends, Explorers and open trunk back alley slamfests. I'm not saying that thats bad, hey, do what you wanna do! Plus, to really show off the woofers you would need at least 15" by 30" sheet, not 15x20. Brandon is probably right with his ported estimate...

 

[irishbass]

thanx for the info

 

[brandonloserkid 10+ year member]

ya ranger i work with plexi all the time, i just suggest 3/4 plexi cause hes most likely using 3/4 mdf, makes for a more... better looking box, when you line it up

 

[brandonloserkid 10+ year member]

i get plexi at my local home depot, thats why i figured lowes would have it...

 

[nweibley 10+ year member]

Have any of you guys that replied actually worked with plexiglass? It's not like the crap is gonna break or bend on ya!
1/2" is fine for ANY application, and to the best of my knowledge you can't get it at home depot or lowes. your best bet will be to check a place that replaces automotive glass. PLEXI IS NOT CHEAP! I have to pay nearly $10/sq foot for the 1/4" stuff.

Very true, I got some 3/4" plexi and its G-**** strong... but plexi is expensive and hard to find... but I got a sweeeet deal on some 3/4" thick for $10 a sqft... so I took it. Other places wanted $50+ for a 2sqft 1/2" thick sheet though.

I don't think it will ever hurt to go too big, and 1/2" should be ample for most window type applications...

I found my plexi by going to "Glass" in the yellow pages and calling them down the list. One place (Ashe Glass Co in Tampa) was selling plexi dirt cheap since they are moving (Tampa people, if you want plexi call them, they are moving SOON) so it pays to call around.

Good luck with it though, plexi looks awsome.

 

[irishbass]

thanks for that my dads in bradenton i'll get him to get me some of that cheap plexi

 

[PopcornPlaya 10+ year member]

both my home depot and lowes both carry plexi and acrylic. up to 3/4 inch thick. and its a whole lot cheaper than the tag you are paying for it. i can get a full sheet for around $100 (4'X8') there. just depends on where you are i guess.