Rustic Speaker Cabinets.. Thoughts?

I would like to build some rustic looking speaker cabinets to match some cabin furniture.

From what I have read, building cabinets from solid wood is a no-no because of vibrations and changes in humidity.

If I build the cabinets out of MDF and then put 1x2 planks of knotty pine or some plywood with a knotty pine veneer over the MDF, will I still get the undesired effects of the wood?

Are these solid wood cabinet issues as bad as they say? It seems like there are a lot of instruments made from wood... How bad can it be?

Any thoughts or suggestions? :confused:

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Originally Posted by Nipper

I would like to build some rustic looking speaker cabinets to match some cabin furniture.

From what I have read, building cabinets from solid wood is a no-no because of vibrations and changes in humidity.

If I build the cabinets out of MDF and then put 1x2 planks of knotty pine or some plywood with a knotty pine veneer over the MDF, will I still get the undesired effects of the wood?

Are these solid wood cabinet issues as bad as they say? It seems like there are a lot of instruments made from wood... How bad can it be?

Any thoughts or suggestions? :confused:

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You WANT the wood in an instrument to add harmonics but Not a speaker cabinet.

An outside layer of wood is fine. Since the MDF won't resonate, it won't transmit to the outside layer. As log as glued securely so no rattles etc.

Is plywood suitable or does it react like wood?
I found some really nice 3/4" 9 ply plywood with a knotty pine veneer... Would this work alone or should I stick with the covered MDF plan?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Nipper

Is plywood suitable or does it react like wood?
I found some really nice 3/4" 9 ply plywood with a knotty pine veneer... Would this work alone or should I stick with the covered MDF plan?

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I have built many a plywood box with good results. If in doubt add a diagonal brace (corner to corner) across large panels on the inside.

Or even if not in doubt, it never hurts even with MDF.:D

OK then! :thankU:

One more question please....
That plywood is about $120 a sheet. :eek: Can I just use that for the top and sides and do the rest with MDF? Am I asking for trouble? :D

$120 a sheet! For pine? Dats Nutz.

Many a Lowes-Depot has the pine panels if those are rustic enough for you. I've used them with good results.

I know... But this is some really nice looking stuff!

I could be losing my sanity but I have another idea. :Hihee:

Thinking of installing 2 sets of speakers in one box but wire them separately.
One set hooked to the A speakers output of the amp and the other set hooked to the B output. My amp can do A, B or A and B.

Im thinking when I really want it strong I can run A and B.

Will inactive speakers in the box cause a problem? If so I could put them in a separate chamber... Hmmmmmmmm.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Nipper

From what I have read, building cabinets from solid wood is a no-no because of vibrations and changes in humidity.

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It depends on the type of wood and the year round moisture 'swing' where they will be located, but laminating planks over a void free plywood cab is fine for even the wide 'swing' a cabin is likely to encounter. Pre-laminated planking (strips or scrap such as butcher block) sold to make benches, table tops is fine all by itself and is thick enough it normally doesn't need any bracing.

I got so sick of building matching butcher block speakers, coffee, end table and counter tops back in the '70s that I finally refused to make any more. Did some 1x4 White Pine glued to plywood MLTL cabs that the owner treated with a bleaching agent which turned out real nice once sealed with a water clear satin varnish.

Then of course there's the knotty wood Pine or similar solid wood paneling for that rustic look over a plywood cab and a lot less effort than applying a bunch of single boards..........

GM

Quote:

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Originally Posted by GM

Then of course there's the knotty wood Pine or similar solid wood paneling for that rustic look over a plywood cab and a lot less effort than applying a bunch of single boards..........

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Yeah, that's a nice idea. Easy rustic!

What NOT to do.:D

*** LOOK *** 4 large stereo speakers and sub woofer