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Posted by Dave Rat on May 24, 2004 at 15:27:40:

In Reply to: Re: 15/2 vs 15/10/2 smaller venues posted by Gregg on May 24, 2004 at 08:46:12:

: Dave-thanks for the info...I have decided on four of the 15/10/1 ...ie. your circa-1984 design. one more question: i'm sure you probably use 13-ply baltic birch for your cabinets...being a car audio guy i've always been partial to mdf, because of uniform density...could you please comment on your cabinet construction tecniques...materials..bracing....partitioning...
: joinery...etc.? thanks

Well, the issue with MDF is that it is more dense, heavier and does not deal with being bounced around in a truck well.

It may 'sound better' in the short term theoretically, but the added weight and reduced durability mean that it will most likely have a shorter life span if you are moving it around.

I highly recommend plywood like baltic birch or similar or if you want to save some $, shop birch is a good alternative. It is light, strong and easy to work with. Just be sure to have adequate protection for the corners.

If you drop an MDF cab you are nearly sure to get broken joints, a well built shop birch cab will bounce!

As far as buildin, its all about screws and glue. Do the best joint that you have the tools/knowledge/skill to do. One easy technique is to use 2" drywall screws. On 13 ply 3/4" you will need to counter sink them. On shop birch you can run them in without coutersinking if you are accurate. When try and do a screw every 2 to 3 inches! All the way around, everywhere!

Also, be sure to router the edges before you screw the cabs together. Those screws eat router bits!

Dave Rat

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: : : Dave-thanks for the info...I have decided on four of the 15/10/1 ...ie. your circa-1984 design. one more question: i'm sure you probably use 13-ply baltic birch for your cabinets...being a car audio guy i've always been partial to mdf, because of uniform density...could you please comment on your cabinet construction tecniques...materials..bracing....partitioning... : : joinery...etc.? thanks : Well, the issue with MDF is that it is more dense, heavier and does not deal with being bounced around in a truck well. : It may 'sound better' in the short term theoretically, but the added weight and reduced durability mean that it will most likely have a shorter life span if you are moving it around. : I highly recommend plywood like baltic birch or similar or if you want to save some $, shop birch is a good alternative. It is light, strong and easy to work with. Just be sure to have adequate protection for the corners. : If you drop an MDF cab you are nearly sure to get broken joints, a well built shop birch cab will bounce! : As far as buildin, its all about screws and glue. Do the best joint that you have the tools/knowledge/skill to do. One easy technique is to use 2" drywall screws. On 13 ply 3/4" you will need to counter sink them. On shop birch you can run them in without coutersinking if you are accurate. When try and do a screw every 2 to 3 inches! All the way around, everywhere! : Also, be sure to router the edges before you screw the cabs together. Those screws eat router bits! : Dave Rat

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