Question For The Pros: Tools Needed To Build MDF Enclosures

[Psycareyo 10+ year member]

I was wondering what materials/tools are needed when building an enclosure. My fiance and I are getting into wood refinishing and we both love car audio. I'd really like to learn what it is that I need to build sub enclosures from start to finish.

What kind of tools work best? What kind of router, table saw etc etc?

How do you draw up your plans for enclosures?

Thanks!

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[branden 10+ year member]

your fiance loves car audio? niceeeee

 

[kush-divinity 10+ year member]

You need an Avanti blade for your Skil saw, as it provides the smoothest cuts. Can be found at Lowes.

A 5/64 drill bit for predrilling holes, and a 1/4 countersink bit to recess screwholes.

Loctite wood glue or other superior bond for joints.

An accurate tape measure, speed square, and a 24/18 framing sqaure for long walls.

1 5/8 or longer drywall screws, sanding pads if you want to round port ends or outside corners, and plenty of pencils---measure and mark everything 2 times before you cut it.

And most of all, PATIENCE IS A VIRTUE.

 

[helotaxi 5,000+ posts]

Table saw with a large table. This is one of the most used tools that you'll have. Pretty much every woodworking project I've done in the last 5 1/2 years since I got mine has had a significant portion of the work done here. Only thing I wish I had was a larger table.

Good fence for the table saw. If the fence doesn't come back to square every time, you're going to get frustrated.

Carbide blade for the table saw. I use a combination blade that I picked up at Home Depot for like $30. I have the same model blade on my chop saw, too. Both blades are over 4 years old and stil make nice clean cuts in whatever I throw at them from MDF to acrylic to aluminum bar stock on the chop saw.

Router and table. I have two routers. One is a fixed base that I use with the table. My table is built into one wing of my saw table. The other is a plunge router that I use with my jasper jigs and for all my handheld work.

Jasper jigs. For use with the handheld router to cut circles. I have the small one and hte medium one. Haven't needed the large one yet so I haven't bought it.

Selection of bits for the routers. I have a couple of template/flush trim bits that I use with the router table, some with top and some with bottom bearings depending on what I need at the time. Spiral up-cut bit for use with the Jasper jigs. Selection of roundover bits sized from 3/16" to 3/4". 45 deg chamfer bit. A couple different mortising bits.

Jig saw with a variety of wood and metal bits.

Palm finish sander.

Drill. I have a pair of corded drill/drivers with adjustable clutches. They also find a lot of use outside the car audio realm.

Drill bits. I have several basic set of drill bits of different design, finish and quality depending on what I need them for.

Combo drill/countersink/driver set. deWalt makes this set. Saves a ton of time and effort on the occasions that I actually use screws.

Clamps. You'll need some large beam style clamps and some smaller ones as well. You can't have too many and they never wear out so don't be afraid to just start buying them.

Those are the essentials. The following are things that I've found use for and that make things easier/quicker but i could get by without them without a drop in quality.

Biscuit joiner. Much cleaner joints than trying to drill, countersink and screw the joints in the box. Especially nice if you plan on rounding the corners of the box with a large roundover bit. Screws and router bits don't get along.

Brad nailer. I have an electric model from Arrow, but if you have an air compressor, go with a pneumatic model. Great for tacking thing together until you can get the clamps in place. i've also gotten a lot of use tacking guides in place for use with router template bits. Once I'm done with the router I just pull the scraps I used for the guides off and I'm good to go with no damage to the final piece other than a few tiny pin holes.

 

[Psycareyo 10+ year member]

your fiance loves car audio? niceeeee

Yup, she has a way better system than I do/will.

 

[bw_audio 10+ year member]

..

 

[skittlesRgood 10+ year member]

i always start with the MDF on top of two 2x4s sitting on top of a couple saw horses. you can cut it down to size like that so itll be easier to get on the table saw.