New diy sub

**gperkins_1973** · **10-25-09, 01:11 PM**

Just thought I would give you an update. Went up to the shop and forgot the batteries for the camera. I have filled and sanded the holes on the lid now. I temp fixed on the side and noticed that it was sticking out 1mm proud from the outer panels. A real pain. I spoke to my friend and he is coming over next weekend to plane it down for me. I think he may have to rebate out all the areas where the braces and inner panels are along with the thickness of the top and bottom. Gonna be a real pain. Once he has done that he just needs to plane off a couple of areas on the top and it will be perfect. I should still be able to veneer it next weekend aslong as he comes over on saturday.

I will get some pics up tomorrow.
cheers

Graham

**Mike P.** · **10-25-09, 02:48 PM**

Are you going to give the sub a test run before you veneer it?

**gperkins_1973** · **10-25-09, 03:06 PM**

Mike,

I will defo. I ordered the trs to rca connector today so that should be here in a couple of days along with my hex bolts and t nuts. Once I get them I plan to leave the side off. Veneer the inner circles where the drivers go in, then install the drivers, wiring them up, add the fiberfill and then temp screw the side on (without glueing), then test the subs to make sure they work. If all is fine, I will then glue and screw the side on and fill and sand the screws. Then veneer and varnish the box covering up the subs. This is the only way I can do it as the depth of the inner and outer circles totals 50mm and it be impossible to fit the subs.

Its just a shame with the set back of having to plane the inside of the side.

cheers

Graham

**gperkins_1973** · **10-27-09, 05:36 AM**

Hi guys,

Sorry its been a while, keep forgetting to get my batteries for the camera. Got them now. Here is a couple. I will take some more tonight. I decided to cut some squares to double up on the thickness so that I could put a longer thread in for the legs. I have also added a picture to show the outer panel screwed in place and the other is to show the outer panels filled and sanded. Its now starting to take shape now. Still a bit gutted I didn't take a bit more care with the bond and seal but it is really difficult to get the gun in between the braces.

cheers

Graham

**recruit** · **10-27-09, 06:41 AM**

Wow! It's really taking shape now and looks extremely solid Graham...good stuff mate

**gperkins_1973** · **10-27-09, 06:46 AM**

Recruit

It looks alot better now as I have filled and sanded all the holes except for the side. I got my hex bolts and t nuts yesterday and should get my trs connector in the next couple of days. Probably wont try it until the weekend as it gets dark too early and I dont have any power in the garage.

Once my mate does the daunting task of grooving out the side panel so that it fits dead flat to the outers and planes of any excess I should be ready to veneer the insides of the circles and then place in the drivers. They will be some exciting pics for sure.

Then it will just leave double making sure all surfaces are flat and then veneer. Not too sure what stages I will do this so I will need to take my time with that part as the veneer will cost over £100.

cheers

Graham

**gperkins_1973** · **10-27-09, 04:42 PM**

Right here we go....

Very difficult to take pictures in the dark but I think they look ok.

I took various pictures around the sub just to show where I am at with it. I still need to sand down the top but the other areas are done.

cheers

Graham

**gperkins_1973** · **10-27-09, 04:43 PM**

Here's a few more which also show how I have smoothed the inner and outer panel circles so that they are dead smooth. I have also filled in the gaps so that the veneer will stick evenly on to the mdf.

cheers

Graham

**gperkins_1973** · **10-27-09, 04:44 PM**

Heres some more different angles of the sub showing the areas I have filled and sanded. I am really pleased with the results so far.

cheers

Graham

**gperkins_1973** · **10-27-09, 04:46 PM**

Here are my t nuts and hex bolts. They are M5 30mm bolts and 5mm t nuts. Also arrived today are my speaker grill connectors and my trs connector. I hope I got the right TRS connector.

cheers

Graham

**sub_junkie** · **10-27-09, 07:11 PM**

Lookin good man! I don't think there is NEAR enough bracing for that box. I would double that up next time

**recruit** · **10-27-09, 07:19 PM**

It really does look impressive, I may not be that far away from you Graham and when you are finished I would love an invite to hear the finished product?

**gperkins_1973** · **10-27-09, 07:24 PM**

Recruit

It would be my please to have you down for a listen and chat.

Defo mate.

cheers
graham

**gperkins_1973** · **10-27-09, 07:28 PM**

Sub junkie,

Having never design or created a sub before it was always a grey area for me with regards to bracing. Yes you can look at other peoples designs etc.. but I don't have the proper knowledge or diy skills to create fancy bracing. I am glad I chose to use 25mm mdf as it has made the box that much stronger. I will have used about 250 screws in total too and the bond and seal stuff if really good and asorbs vibrations.

I do hope it sounds as big as it looks.

cheers

Graham

**sub_junkie** · **10-27-09, 07:43 PM**

There is no such thing as too much bracing, within reason of course for those nit pickers out there.
I was just kidding Graham

The bracing looks great anyways. That's a lot of screws used too...

**sub_crazy** · **10-27-09, 09:28 PM**

Very impressive build GP.

Your monster may just send ripples across the pond so we can enjoy it too

Keep up the excellent work.

**gperkins_1973** · **10-28-09, 02:28 AM**

Thanks guys for your comments. I need to sort out my veneer but am torn between the iron on stuff or peel and stick. I have ordered a sheet of peel and stick and did many varnishing tests. It did stick really well I have to say. I want to match the colour of the monitor audio RS6's in cheery but am struggling to get a good match. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

cheers

Graham

**recruit** · **10-28-09, 03:18 AM**

Quote:

gperkins_1973 wrote:

Recruit

It would be my please to have you down for a listen and chat.

Defo mate.

cheers
graham

Thanks Graham

**steven2583** · **10-29-09, 04:15 PM**

I created a 10CF box with 3/4 MDF. It vibrates a little when I feel the outside. I have some bracing but not nearly as much as you have. Does having that much bracing make that much of a difference.

**gperkins_1973** · **10-29-09, 05:37 PM**

Steve,

I really don't know to be honest as this is my first diy sub and I am still learning. Ive come across a bit of a hurdle in the fact that I have piloted 5mm holes for the bolts without taking in consideration that the t nuts are wider than 5mm. I now don't have enough room on the inside to drill a bigger hole.

Any ideas....

I would just screw the bolts into the t nuts so it pulls it in but the bolts are only 30mm long and the mdf is 25mm thick. God why didn't I think about this first.

cheers

Graham

**Mike P.** · **10-29-09, 05:47 PM**

Either a Dremel tool or a right angle drill comes to mind. Check with a rental store to see what they have.

**gperkins_1973** · **10-29-09, 05:52 PM**

Hi Mike,

I hope you are well mate. I have just checked that I can feed the bolt with a washer through the hole (I drilled all the way through one of the holes and can do the rest by putting the drivers back in) and connect to the t nut. Will it be ok to just put a little glue on the t nut and just screw the t nut in tight and then un screw.

cheers

Graham

**Mike P.** · **10-29-09, 06:00 PM**

Make sure the T-Nut is seated and glue around the perimeter of it. As you're seating the T-Nut you may have to hit it with a hammer to get it to seat properly.

**gperkins_1973** · **10-29-09, 06:09 PM**

Mike,

Thanks for that Mike. I will screw in the bolts and then bang in the t nuts.

I should be finishing most of the sub this weekend. I am getting some of the veneer on Saturday and will veneer the two fronts and the top and bottom. Will upload some more pics on Saturday.

I will try and upload a short movie of my trying it out if I can work out how to upload it.

cheers

Graham

**evilskillit** · **10-29-09, 07:43 PM**

I made this same mistake on my first build. The bolts barely reached through the MDF and by the time I put on the driver they no longer reached. My fancy schmancy $1.00 black machine screws didn't work and I had to go to the hardware store and buy plain old silver ones that were longer.

Get a longer bolt, and a couple of washers, put the washers on the bolt, then put the t-nut in the bottom, run the bolt through and thread it into the t-nut then crank for all you're worth with a ratchet and you'll pull it right into the wood. See the following link for an example. And yeah if you put some gorilla glue around the outside of the nut before you do this it'll never come loose in a million years. Just make sure you don't let any get into the threads.

http://www.threeballclimbing.com/install4prongtnuts.htm

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