Hello there HTS'ers, It's been a while since I've built anything aside from a quick and easy DIYsoundgroup Volt-10 surround build using flat packs. Those have been in place as my temporary front speakers since I sold my entire Polk Audio setup earlier this year. I want my entire system to be DIY so this build marks the next step in achieving that goal.
Since I set the precedent with my curvy subs, I cannot just simply throw together some boring rectangular boxes, so here we go. I am focusing on the center channel build first because that is the position that is completely pathetic in my temporary setup. The center position is currently being held with a 15 year old el cheapo JBL center channel. Let's remedy that first!
Finding a nice radius for the curved top of the center channel build:
This one works:
A few notes about my setup....
Last year when I was building my Stereo Integrity 18" sealed curvy subs, I was still slowly collecting tools and was very limited with what I could do. I made all of the cuts using a 20 year old terrible Craftsman circular saw and a DIY saw guide. It was very challenging. Even when I could get a mostly straight cut, the edges of the boards would have a slightly beveled edge one way or the other. Additionally, I made all the cuts with the sheet of MDF sitting on 2x4's on the floor of my garage. It was quite painful and I think that I spent 2 full weekends just trying to get the basic boards but to my satisfaction.
Fast forward a while and now I have built a solid saw horse table that holds full sheets and uses 2x4's as sacrificial boards. The table is at a great height for me to work comfortably at and there is no more shifting heavy panels around on the floor. For tools, I am now the very proud owner of a Makita track saw with (2) 55" track rails. This allows me to make a perfect 110" cut through a sheet of whatever. In conjunction with being able to hook up my shopvac to the saw, this was the first time I have ever been able to cut MDF without using a mask! My garage is thanking me for it. Enough rambling....
The table:
Beginning to take shape:
Since I set the precedent with my curvy subs, I cannot just simply throw together some boring rectangular boxes, so here we go. I am focusing on the center channel build first because that is the position that is completely pathetic in my temporary setup. The center position is currently being held with a 15 year old el cheapo JBL center channel. Let's remedy that first!
Finding a nice radius for the curved top of the center channel build:
This one works:
A few notes about my setup....
Last year when I was building my Stereo Integrity 18" sealed curvy subs, I was still slowly collecting tools and was very limited with what I could do. I made all of the cuts using a 20 year old terrible Craftsman circular saw and a DIY saw guide. It was very challenging. Even when I could get a mostly straight cut, the edges of the boards would have a slightly beveled edge one way or the other. Additionally, I made all the cuts with the sheet of MDF sitting on 2x4's on the floor of my garage. It was quite painful and I think that I spent 2 full weekends just trying to get the basic boards but to my satisfaction.
Fast forward a while and now I have built a solid saw horse table that holds full sheets and uses 2x4's as sacrificial boards. The table is at a great height for me to work comfortably at and there is no more shifting heavy panels around on the floor. For tools, I am now the very proud owner of a Makita track saw with (2) 55" track rails. This allows me to make a perfect 110" cut through a sheet of whatever. In conjunction with being able to hook up my shopvac to the saw, this was the first time I have ever been able to cut MDF without using a mask! My garage is thanking me for it. Enough rambling....
The table:
Beginning to take shape: