Tools For Box Building

[ctmaudi 10+ year member]

What are the esentials you would recomend? Id like to keep it cheap, but not get junk though. Hoping I can get everything I need wood included under $150. I figured I could get Lowes to cut the major pieces, probably a little bigger since I hear their cuts arent perfect. Then sand them down to size. I know a jigsaw is needed for the circle cutouts. I was looking at this one since it has an option for rounded cuts,

Shop BLACK & DECKER 5.0-Amp Variable Speed Orbital Jigsaw at Lowes.com

What would I need to cut 45s? What size drill bits would be needed to pre drill for the screws and sink them? Would it be worth getting a sander, or just stick to doing it by hand or with a dremel?

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[ctmaudi 10+ year member]

Anyone have any tips or suggestions before I go buy stuff today?

 

[AJM511 10+ year member]

I'd make sure the guy at Lowes knows what hes doing before you let him cut the wood. See if he knows that the blade itself takes 1/8 inch off the entire cut.

As for drill bits, just get one that will drill a decent pilot hole, and one thats as big as the head of the screw you're using, to countersink the hole.

Also, Id stickto sanding it by hand, unless you can find a really cheap sander that would be worth your while.

Good luck with your build!

 

[ctmaudi 10+ year member]

For a low power 12, are screws needed or would staples or nails be ok? I dont have a clamp though.

 

[Kangaroux 5,000+ posts]

clamps are about the most important things you need lol.

1 5/8" coarse thread screws, liquid nails, couple 5' clamps (or 4'? dunno), 3/32" drill bit, jigsaw

edit: you would be better off just using screws.

 

[ctmaudi 10+ year member]

Two of these work? Only doing a 31x15x15 box.

Shop BESSEY 36" Double-headed Bar Clamp at Lowes.com

If I use clamps, would nails be alright instead of screws? Im not the steadiest at drilling, and am afraid I wont go in straight and split the wood.

And how far apart should they be spaced?

This the right glue and liquid nails?

http://www.lowes.com/pd_1444-970-1414_4294806333+4294964949_4294937087_?productId=1017425&Ns=p_product_prd_lis_ord_nbr|0||p_product_quantity_sold|1&pl=1&currentURL=%2Fpl_Titebond_4294806333%2B4294964949_4294937087_%3FNs%3Dp_product_prd_lis_ord_nbr%7C0%7C%7Cp_product_quantity_sold%7C1&facetInfo=Titebond

http://www.lowes.com/pd_220849-12-LN-903_0__?productId=3025116&Ntt=liquid+nails&pl=1&currentURL=%2Fpl__0__s%3FNtt%3Dliquid%2Bnails

or

http://www.lowes.com/pd_6306-12-LN-740_0__?productId=1095073&Ntt=liquid+nails&pl=1&currentURL=%2Fpl__0__s%3FNtt%3Dliquid%2Bnails

 

[Kangaroux 5,000+ posts]

Two of these work? Only doing a 31x15x15 box. Shop BESSEY 36" Double-headed Bar Clamp at Lowes.com

If I use clamps, would nails be alright instead of screws? Im not the steadiest at drilling, and am afraid I wont go in straight and split the wood.

And how far apart should they be spaced?

This the right glue and liquid nails?

Shop Titebond 16 Oz. III Ultimate Wood Glue at Lowes.com

Shop LIQUID NAILS 10 Oz. Interior/Exterior Heavy-Duty Construction Adhesive at Lowes.com

or

Shop LIQUID NAILS 10 Oz. Interior/Exterior Wood Project Adhesive at Lowes.com

you're going to want to use screws. you could use nails but there's no point seeing as how you will need to predrill the holes regardless. just hold the drill straight when you predrill.

 

---------- Post added at 05:41 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:40 PM ----------

 

you want the heavy duty liquid nails, look for the titebond in the blue bottle. it says something about heavy duty exterior use or something

 

[Heeltoeclutch 10+ year member]

If I use clamps, would nails be alright instead of screws? Im not the steadiest at drilling, and am afraid I wont go in straight and split the wood.

And how far apart should they be spaced?

I built my first box (with screws) and had no splitting issues, and I used 1/2". The nail gun was splitting the 1/2" like crazy when we tested it. just my $0.02

 

[elancohen92 10+ year member]

You are fine without clamps, just make sure your pieces of wood are perfectly aligned before you pre drill. You could use nails if you dont want to drill.

 

[Kangaroux 5,000+ posts]

when you drill like the sides and the top on just make sure you give yourself like 1 1/2" amount of space from the corners. if you don't, i find the wood splits very easily, or maybe i should be trying a slightly larger predrill bit.

 

[elancohen92 10+ year member]

Yeah man, all of us have had experience with this before and theres a bunch of ways to do it. As for the 45s, i have no clue. You could use a circular saw but that might get sketchy. Maybe look for a cheap table saw on craigslist or something.

 

[thevic24 5,000+ posts]

As far as tools, this is what I have/use

1. Circle saw with a finishing blade.(makes very smooth, clean cuts)

2. Roto zip with wood bits. (Cuts perfect holes)

3. Router with round over bits.(can also use for cutting the holes out with a circle jig)

4. Small electric sander.

5. Drill with 3/32 bit and a Phillips bit.

I do not use clamps, I just use glue and screws. Liquid nails or Tite Bond II are very good.

and most important, you will need this for every build...

a 12 pck of your favorite beverage!!

 

[ctmaudi 10+ year member]

Anyone try walmart carpet? Only place I can find around here that sells it.

Walmart.com: Remington Industries Carpet Replacement, Gray: Automotive

Here's my lowes cart so far, I already have a box of screws. Should I get like a circle saw blade for my drill to try to cut the 45s (or just the corners off then sand it down)?

I need to make up a cut sheet. Do the tops go on the front and back, or the other way around? I know the ends go inside right?

 

[thevic24 5,000+ posts]

I have used the walmart carpet and it works fine.

For your list, you only need one bottle of glue. Either one will work fine.

 

[ctmaudi 10+ year member]

I have used the walmart carpet and it works fine.
For your list, you only need one bottle of glue. Either one will work fine.

I thought one was to glue the sides together, and the liquid nails was like silicone in the corners?

For a 31L x 15H x 16.25D box with 2.5 wide port 36.25in long, I came up with,

31x15.5 for top and bottom

14.75x13.5 for left side

14x13.5 for right side

31x13.5 for the back

31x15 for a second piece over the back (going to mount the amp to it)

27.75x13.5 for the front

27x13.5 for the inner double baffle

11.5x13.5 for first port piece

19.5x13.5 for the second port piece