Should I Build: Onken Box For Altec 604E?s ?

**Altec Best** · October 4th, 2014, 06:24 PM

Do NOT (Rabbet or Dado) the braces into the panels as this will weaken the panels.This will cause them to resonate IMHO..

**Tralalalala** · October 4th, 2014, 06:38 PM

Thanks!

Understand.

Good - Will then use butt joints with headless staples for these braces. and glue of course...

**Tralalalala** · October 5th, 2014, 10:41 AM

Hi,

Attaching full cutout plan for the build of the 360L Onken box.

uhm.. parts that are not included in this drawing ; the frames that will hold the front baffle in place. I will probably use 2" 3" pine for this frame.

One question:

I did draw this cabinet with a 27mm plywood. ( thats somewhere in between 5/4" and 4/4" )

Is it a big difference building the cabinets out of 27mm and 24mm plywood in this design?
Difference is in inches : 3mm = 0.12 inches.

**Audio_by_Goodwill** · October 5th, 2014, 06:04 PM

Originally Posted by Tralalalala

I did draw this cabinet with a 27mm plywood. ( thats somewhere in between 5/4" and 4/4" )

Is that something that you can source locally? Plywood greater than 3/4" is not common in the US.

I could see going with a thicker material front and back, but the sides should be pretty strong considering the two panels are so close together, connected with the braces.

**Altec Best** · October 5th, 2014, 11:18 PM

Originally Posted by Audio_by_Goodwill

Is that something that you can source locally? Plywood greater than 3/4" is not common in the US.

I think he may be using Baltic Birch which is available here in 1" 4'x8' sheets.. The 3/4" stuff comes in 5'x5' sheets. This is what's available here in my area.

**Tralalalala** · October 6th, 2014, 01:07 PM

Hi guys,

Just to be sure I?m correct:

3/4 inches = 19mm
4/4 inches = 25mm
5/4 incehs = 31mm

I can source 18mm, 24mm, 27mm and 30mm birch plywood where I live.

They come in the dimensions: 1220mm x 2440mm = 4 feet wide x 8 feet long. This is usually the "standard" size you get on plates where I live.

Thanks for the input ! will try to build my Onken boxes with back and front panels in 27mm, the rest in 24mm.

**Audio_by_Goodwill** · October 6th, 2014, 08:19 PM

Originally Posted by Tralalalala

Hi guys,

Just to be sure I?m correct:

3/4 inches = 19mm
4/4 inches = 25mm
5/4 incehs = 31mm

I can source 18mm, 24mm, 27mm and 30mm birch plywood where I live.

They come in the dimensions: 1220mm x 2440mm = 4 feet wide x 8 feet long. This is usually the "standard" size you get on plates where I live.

Thanks for the input ! will try to build my Onken boxes with back and front panels in 27mm, the rest in 24mm.

5/4 inches would be closer to 32mm mathematically, but I have no idea what kind of tolerances are allowed in making plywood.

1 inch is equal to 2.54 cm exactly.

**Tralalalala** · October 7th, 2014, 01:28 AM

Yes. You`re right. 5/4 inches = more 32mm than 31mm.

Uhm... it?s difficult to build stuff with a precision more than 1mm. Except if you got really precise tools like a CNC machine or similar.

I build stuff with handheld tools, so 1mm is the most precise measurement I can work with from technical drawings.

Attaching one last cutout plan for 4feet x 8feet long plywood plates. All measurements are in mm. I think everything is in place now...

I?ve now also taken into account the grain direction of the plywood plates.

The height of the side panels + the top/bottom panels are drawn for miter/rabbet joints. This is because I want to probably use a grey wood stainer on the cabinets.

PS: I can source locally Titebond II wood glue. Will use this glue for the build, I?m unsure of using the PL400 glue since it sounded difficult to work with; this time I?m not taking into concern the thought of using hot glue that was my initial though - oh man, what a mess that would have been ....

Thanks for sharing your thoughts with me in this process. Will keep you updated on the build !

Attaching the cabinet plan I?ve used for source. Just for reference. + a really cool picture of the cabinet....

**cradeldorf** · October 8th, 2014, 02:52 AM

I've never heard one but have heard plenty of good things about them. Wishing you luck on your build and the outcome.

**Tralalalala** · October 8th, 2014, 03:01 AM

Cool. Thank you for giving thumbs up !

PS: I?ve also taken into concern a saw blade that cuts 3mm on the drawings.

I?ve also made a 10mm distance from edges of the 4feet x 8feet plates.... ( maybe not on the 27mm plywood plate ... this plywood plate has parts very close to each other... )

Thanks !