What tools for box building?

[JL Audio 5,000+ posts]

What all do you normall use?

I watched EXO building one the other day for someone and he used a brad nailer ( not sure what size ) and an air compressor and that's pretty much it besides woodglue and a countersink bit with some drill.

I've seen people use claps and L clamp things etc though.. just wondered what everyone else uses.

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[slammedincouch 10+ year member]

Clamps, 90 degree/right angle/L clamps, 1/8 drill bit, drills, titebond. Wouldn't mind having a nice pneumatic nail gun though...and a nice table saw

 

---------- Post added at 06:54 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:53 PM ----------

 

Also T-Square for drawing out where everything is going

 

[JL Audio 5,000+ posts]

Clamps, 90 degree/right angle/L clamps, 1/8 drill bit, drills, titebond. Wouldn't mind having a nice pneumatic nail gun though...and a nice table saw 

---------- Post added at 06:54 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:53 PM ----------

 

Also T-Square for drawing out where everything is going

appreciate the info, how you like the horse? would like to get one to try on some subbies.

 

[slammedincouch 10+ year member]

appreciate the info, how you like the horse? would like to get one to try on some subbies.

It's a pretty cool amp after you understand the wiring and so on. Only pet peeve about it is that I put it in the wrong vehicle and built the whole setup around it, so I can't really change things up a whole lot without tearing the whole thing apart. Guess that's why I have the explorer though...

 

[bbeljefe]

On most boxes I use a circular saw, table saw, table mounted router, circle jig router, roundover router, hole saw, brad nailer, speed square, various straight edges, rip fence, 90° clamps, Titebond II & cordless drills/screw guns.

For some boxes I also use a jig saw, hot glue gun, staple gun, angle finder & contour gauge, trunk carpet/fleece, chop mat, resin & body filler. And for finishing I use a belt sander, palm sander, da, air file, hand blocks spray gun & undercoat gun.

For low to moderately powered boxes I use 5 way binding post terminal cups and for high powered boxes I use heavy duty binding posts or sometimes, bolts and nuts for wiring connections. Also for moderate to high powered boxes I use 8-32 to ¼-20 nutserts or t-nuts & stainless steel socket head bolts for driver mounting.

One thing that I see used all too often and that is NOT allowed in my shop is silicone caulk. Silicone caulk is designed for non-porous surfaces such as glass and stone but so many box builders use it inside their boxes as a sealant. However, it does not stick to wood/MDF, it sticks to itself and that's about it. It's also messy as h3ll to clean up, it stinks and, nothing (especially primer/paint) will stick to it. Matter of fact, it's vapor alone will cause nearby paint not to stick. In the end... if your cuts are true all that's needed to seal joints is a liberal amount of good wood glue. And if they aren't true (which is understandable for some builds or for those without a host of tools to use) the best thing to use is either standard painter's caulk, Polyseamseal or hot glue. When used correctly hot glue not only acts as a sealant but it also acts as a very reliable adhesive so, it adds strength that silicone and even painter's caulk can't.

 

[soundstreamer 10+ year member]

Table saw

Carpenters T

Router with Jasper Jig and a handfull of bits

Nice Cordless Drill

Clamps

Saw Horses

Wood, glues, screws....

I have a compressor and a staple/nail gun too but have only used it on 2-3 of the 50-100 boxes I've built.

 

[JL Audio 5,000+ posts]

appreciate all your guys info on this...

anyone want to recommend me a nice budget brad nailer/staple gun and what size nails to use? I am lucky I have just a router right now..

 

[akadj 10+ year member]

I don't use nails, i go with wood glue and pre drill holes plus screws. I find screws hold the wood tighter then nails and clamps, but it does add more time and cost.. Both work none the less.

I prefer to use resign instead of any type of silicone, again its more time consuming and both end with a similar result.

I try and use the table saw and router as much as possible but do break out the skill saw and jig saw. When using the skill saw I will clamp down a straight edge along my cut line and ride the saw down it so I can speed up the cut times while maintaining accuracy.

 

[bbeljefe]

appreciate all your guys info on this...
anyone want to recommend me a nice budget brad nailer/staple gun and what size nails to use? I am lucky I have just a router right now..

Probably your best value would be to go to Sears and get a 16g Craftsman brad nailer. The cheapest would be from Harbor Freight and suffice it to say, if you don't use them heavily, their pneumatic tools aren't bad. I don't recommend any of their hand held electric tools though.

Once in a while HF runs their 18 brad nailers on sale for 15.99 or 19.99 and those aren't bad either. Again... for light to moderate use.

But whatever you buy, make sure you buy a bottle of air tool oil and make sure you use it. If you do that, your tools will last a lot longer regardless of who made them.