almost finished... - Page 2

You can also buy a similar type stuffing from a fabric store or walmart and use that instead of the polyfil.  Probably get it for about $2 a bag.  It makes it seem like the box is bigger in airspace.  Also I'd like to commend you for attempting to build your own box and learning as you go.  It's about the only way to gain experience and learn.  Matt0 did use T-Nuts and machine screws to hold the sub in which isn't something that too many first timers do.  Pretty soon you'll be running over 5000 watts and taking out the backseats!

thanks man...   i knew i could count on you for support
 
 

i used the t-nuts/machine screws for the sub, amp and the funky grille. i used these small wood screws for the terminal cup though. and im still trying to find a good way to mount the amp.

I am really impressed with the box design. It has led me to think about more than just a generic box design. Will the custom box sound as good as a "traditional" box design? 

it sounds GREAT!  im not sure how much different it would sound with a generic cube-ish box. im sure a ported cube would sound different than a ported one like mine. but mines sealed, i think a sealed box will sound like a sealed box no matter what shape it is (as long as its the same volume)... it sounds INFINITELY better than my old dual 12" subs in the crappy bandpass box they came in, but anything will sound better than them...

i havent turned it up real loud yet, i've read a few places that you need to let the sub "break in" and not just blast away at first.

what about just a wood sealer to add strength to the particle board?  Is the coating just to keep moisture out and prolong life, or is the fiber resin more to hold it together through the bass hits?

i think the resin is to add strength and make it more rigid. im sure it also helps with sealing it though. im still not sure if i want do it or not.  to anyone with fiberglass experience, how hard is it for a first timer?

Adding resin to the box is about as straight forward as painting with a brush.  Your not technically doing any fiberglass mat or cloth application. 

The resin is just to seal the box air tight and keep moisture out...

tonight i got my box wrapped. i got a tiny bit of overspray on the outside and a tiny bit of glue leaked out of a few seams. its not perfect but its as perfect as i could possibly make it. the whole not-square thing made it sort of difficult but i eventually got the enitre box covered. ill try and get some pics tomorrow
 
so...   if anybody has any secrets on how to get super77 glue off of the outside of speakerbox carpet, SPEAK UP
 
also, i picked up 2 20oz bags of polyfil. can i use it all? i read somewhere about a half pound per ft^3 but rather than (somewhat) measure it out, can i just stuff it all in? is there any downside to having too much? its not the fiberglass stuff on crutchfield or partsexpress, its just polyester stuffing like in a couch cushion.  should still work right?

You're good with the polyfil, about 1/2lbs per cube is what I do...
 
As far as glue on the carpet, you are in luck. I will part with one of my secrets...Take a small scrap piece of carpet, fold it up a time or two. Pour some acetone on it, and work out the glue on the seams and overspray. Be careful not to soak the seams on the box as the carpet will lift up if you penetrate the glue below the carpet with acetone...

Do you have that hump from the back tires in your truck? It doesn't look like it. I have 2 humps that take up a lot of room in my truck so my box has to be able to fit in between them.

He built a custom box to fit around those humps. Take a look at his pictures on the first page.

quote:

ORIGINAL: dimmuborgir6nik6

Do you have that hump from the back tires in your truck? It doesn't look like it. I have 2 humps that take up a lot of room in my truck so my box has to be able to fit in between them.

 
exactly what lenny said. i have the humps and my old box was pretty snug in between them. i knew i wanted to build my own box this time around instead of a prefab one. i wanted to be able to still have cargo room and a decent woofer. i figured since you cant really lay much cargo on top of a curved hump, i would build the box around it.  
 
heres some recent pics of it carpeted and theres also a 3d sketch of one of my early idea/designs
 

 
 

 
 

 
^^^  this corner of the box took longer to cover than all 5 other sides combined. i watched the elemental designs box-carpeting movie probably 4 times while doing it
 

 
these seams were also pretty difficult because (if you follow the ED movie like i did) you end up with 5 strips of carpet that need to lay flat. fold 2 down and cut and then fold the next 2 down and cut...   it didnt work out as good as i hoped but it still looks okay. plus, there will be an amp on top of that whole side so it wont really be that noticeable.
 

 
this is pretty much exactly how the box ended up except the cutout in the corner is a 45-45-90 triangle instead of the oblong distorted trapezoid like the one above

That looks great for a first attempt, only gets easier from here on.  So what did you decide to do for the 5 chan?  Run all new wires to the speakers or speed wire?

speedwire... Pat gave me a link for a speedwire kit for $45 but i looked around on the website and found it for 99 cents per foot. i dont think ill really need more than 10ft..
 
http://www.autotoys.com/x/catalog/18_GAUGE_SPEEDS_YOUR_WIRE_INSTALL_TIME_SAVER_4_PAIRS__REMOTE_p_1814.html

I am very impressed. Congrats on your good looking box. I know you are going to enjoy it and the cargo room you saved!

quote:

ORIGINAL: Blazin_Jason

Adding resin to the box is about as straight forward as painting with a brush.  Your not technically doing any fiberglass mat or cloth application. 

 
if all you are adding is the resin itself, no additional strength will be added. Rsin by itself is extremely brittle. When it is applied to FG cloth or matting, the resin melts the glass fibers together with is where the strength comes from. The only thing adding resin by itself will do is seal the enclosure from liquid and escaping air.

looks really nice. I love how you made the indent for the wheel well!

If you ever dont feel like carpeting look into Fleckstone. It comes in a spray can and just looks awesome on a box!

thanks everybody for all the comments. heres some pics of it installed. guess i could change the title of the thread to "finished"... although the orion isnt hooked up yet.


click for bigger pics









lol, this is what i had before...  FAILURE!!!   

Is it mounted to anything or is it heavy enough to not slide around when going around corners?  Or does the carpet keep it in place?

its not mounted to anything...    im trying to figure out a way to bolt it down so people cant run off with it. i think the friction from the carpet along with the weight is enough to hold it for now. i read something about using velcro to secure it to the floor
although, i just put it back in this afternoon so i havent really driven around a whole lot with them

old school orion ftw!

lol...   after researching it, i discovered that it isnt a very recent amp. how old is it? Pat said it works fine and i trust him so it should still be good.

I cant see the model number on it.

What is it? The amp is pre DEI i believe. has the casing of the 2500D just smaller and blue

Cobalt series CS500.5