Tempest X Sonotube Build Thread

[Maceo23]

Well Folks, the build has begun. I am building a pair of 300L sonotubes tuned to 17hz as per Kevin Haskins advise. I'm using 24" tubes with 8" flared ports. Today has basically been a whole day of cutting circles. Hopefully tomarrow I'll finish with the last of the circle and start gluing and painting. Pics are soon to come when I figure out how to load them on here.

[Maceo23]

Here are a few preliminary pics.

[Mike P.]

Good choice of sub. Looking forward to your build pictures.

[thxgoon]

Goodie goodie goodie, I love build threads

Nice design, I can't wait to hear what you think of it.

[Maceo23]

I HATE CUTTING CIRCLES!!! It feels like that all I've benn doind all weekend. I have all 4 caps glued and ready for finishing. I really managed to get a lot done. I also finished gluing the insulation to the inside of the tube and the carpet on the outside. Really, all I have left, before final assembly, is to make and attach the feet, and to paint. I just have one question. I was wondering if I need to wrap the outside of the port with insulation also. If you know, let me know. I'll post some pics tonight.

[Mike P.]

Wrapping the outside of the port with insulation is not necessary. Looking forward to your pics!

[Maceo23]

Here's a few more pics.

[thxgoon]

Looking good!

I wish I had planned into my design being able to tuck the carpet under the top cap like that. The carpet on my left sub fell off during one particularily bassy movie

[Maceo23]

Well, I am at the point of figuring out how I'm going to attach the dowel feet to the end cap and base plate. I was wondering if anyone has a trick to making the alignment and attachment a little easier, and what kind of hardware I should use. I have some 3" wood screws that I was planning on, but if anyone has a better and easier idea, I'm all ears.

[zeug]

Hi,

Great looking build. I am contimplating a very similar build with a Tempest-X for my first sub. For the money, I dont think there is a better choice.

I personally would use a Lag bolt instead of a long screw for the feet. 1/4" lag would be much stronger.

Keep the pictures coming. I need the motivation to get started with my project.

Kent

[Leonardo]

Maceo23 wrote:

Well, I am at the point of figuring out how I'm going to attach the dowel feet to the end cap and base plate. I was wondering if anyone has a trick to making the alignment and attachment a little easier, and what kind of hardware I should use. I have some 3" wood screws that I was planning on, but if anyone has a better and easier idea, I'm all ears.

Why don't you stack the floor plate on top of the end cap (or vice versa) and drill your pilot holes with a long bit? Don't forget to drill smaller pilot holes in the dowels.

I agree about the 1/4" lag bolts.

For my dowels, I clamped a stop to a chop saw. This ensures that they are all square and exactly the same length.

[Mike P.]

Leonardo wrote:

Why don't you stack the floor plate on top of the end cap (or vice versa) and drill your pilot holes with a long bit? Don't forget to drill smaller pilot holes in the dowels.

I agree about the 1/4" lag bolts.

For my dowels, I clamped a stop to a chop saw. This ensures that they are all square and exactly the same length.

I built mine by stacking the pieces and drilling pilot holes. Lag bolts are fine, screws work just as good if you also use wood glue, and the screws are easier to countersink. Never had a problem with mine.