Members Jeff Leites Posted July 17, 2006 Members Share Posted July 17, 2006 I want to make a couple of speaker cabs. What's the best way for a DIYer to do a good job of cutting the holes for 12" speakers in the baffle board? I'd like to not have to buy any additional tools, but I have been looing for an excuss to buy a Rotozip type tool. I already have a router. Is there some sort of router accessory that would do the job? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members shniggens Posted July 17, 2006 Members Share Posted July 17, 2006 I own a Rotozip, and I would say that would be the best way! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Billster Posted July 18, 2006 Members Share Posted July 18, 2006 There's an attachment you can get for a jigsaw that uses a screw to anchor the guide to the center of your circle, and you ride the saw around at the end of the guide arm. For speaker cabs, you could really just rough it with a jigsaw by hand (slow hand), because as long as you are close, the lip of the speaker frame will give you a finished outside look. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Jeff Leites Posted July 18, 2006 Author Members Share Posted July 18, 2006 TNX for the replies, they both sound like good ideas. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members modul8 Posted July 18, 2006 Members Share Posted July 18, 2006 You can find a circle cutting jig for your router: http://www.soundlabsgroup.com.au/c/Jasper/Jasper+Circle+Jigs.html I am sure there are other options. A router with a good jig will give the best results. If you don't have to be precise, a rotozip, jigsaw, or your router will work just fine of course. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members where02190 Posted July 18, 2006 Members Share Posted July 18, 2006 You can make a jig for the router, and it will cut a nice, clean hole the same size every time. that same jig can have slots for the holes as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Jeff Leites Posted July 18, 2006 Author Members Share Posted July 18, 2006 What do you use for a bit? One of those saw types like the Rotozip use? I think one came in my Costco giant bit set. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members modul8 Posted July 19, 2006 Members Share Posted July 19, 2006 They make bits for cutting wood. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members where02190 Posted July 19, 2006 Members Share Posted July 19, 2006 Originally posted by Jeff Leites What do you use for a bit? One of those saw types like the Rotozip use? I think one came in my Costco giant bit set. Straight cut router bits, or, if you want to recess the speaker into the mounting surface use an inlay bit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members deanmass Posted July 19, 2006 Members Share Posted July 19, 2006 Take it up to your local high school...I'd be willing to bet they would do it for free for you.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members where02190 Posted July 19, 2006 Members Share Posted July 19, 2006 Originally posted by deanmass Take it up to your local high school...I'd be willing to bed they would do it for free for you.. School's out for summer!!!!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Jon Doe Posted July 20, 2006 Members Share Posted July 20, 2006 shameless bump for dramatic effect... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members d. gauss Posted July 21, 2006 Members Share Posted July 21, 2006 How do you cut big round holes? um, with a big round hole cutter? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members deanmass Posted July 22, 2006 Members Share Posted July 22, 2006 err...yeah I know....but, there are always people around (i.e. 52 week employees) and they have the tools and are usually happy to help.. But generally, point taken. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members techristian Posted July 24, 2006 Members Share Posted July 24, 2006 I usually start by drilling a 1/2" (large enough for the blade to fit in) hole just INSIDE the diameter of the layout circle. Then any cheap sabre saw or jigsaw will work with a 12" diameter. Dan http://teachmedrums.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Jeff Leites Posted July 25, 2006 Author Members Share Posted July 25, 2006 Originally posted by where02190 School's out for summer!!!!!!! School's out forever!!!!! I'll probalby, carefully use the saber saw method. I'm trying to decide on how to do the front. I'm thinking about expanded metal all the way across, or a couple of expanded metal speaker grills. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members ibanezax Posted July 25, 2006 Members Share Posted July 25, 2006 Make sure you use a plywood not particle board especially if you want it to last, also there is a science to building a speaker cabinet. Goggle " building speaker cabinet" and I'll bet you come up with a hundred DYI type sites! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Jeff Leites Posted July 26, 2006 Author Members Share Posted July 26, 2006 Originally posted by ibanezax Make sure you use a plywood not particle board especially if you want it to last, also there is a science to building a speaker cabinet. Goggle " building speaker cabinet" and I'll bet you come up with a hundred DYI type sites! I recently checked out some Googled finds. One said to use 3/4" plywood or 1" MDF (not exactly the same thing as particle board). I was talking to one of my mentors today, and he says pine boards are the way to go because it is lighter and is easier to work work with using hand power tools. As far as science goes, I read that there really isn't much science in open back guitar speaker cabs, the science is in the sealed and ported cabs. I'm waiting for it to cool down before I get started, It's just been way to hot here in the San Fernando valley to work on a project like this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members ibanezax Posted July 27, 2006 Members Share Posted July 27, 2006 ... is "Medium Density Fiber" Board. Again spend a little more money and get a mdf with an veneer overlay. I don't know if you plan on painting them or covering them with stickers?? But don't use pine, you could get a good ply 5/8" to 3/4" it'll be just as light and twice as strong! If you really want to get into it check out a custom cabinet shop, I'm sure they could show you a variety of woods and give you some tips on construction. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members ibanezax Posted July 27, 2006 Members Share Posted July 27, 2006 I play all that stuff!!! Sleepwalk and Walk Don't Run were the first song my Mentor taught Me!! Small World! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Jeff Leites Posted July 28, 2006 Author Members Share Posted July 28, 2006 Originally posted by ibanezax ... is "Medium Density Fiber" Board. Again spend a little more money and get a mdf with an veneer overlay. I don't know if you plan on painting them or covering them with stickers?? But don't use pine, you could get a good ply 5/8" to 3/4" it'll be just as light and twice as strong! If you really want to get into it check out a custom cabinet shop, I'm sure they could show you a variety of woods and give you some tips on construction. I know plywood is lighter than MDF, but I don't know why it would be stronger than pine. On second thought, I've never seen a karate guy break plywood boards I was going to start getting the wood tomorrow. The cabs aren't going to be very big, just something in the area of 28x14x10 inches each. So I don't think I'll have a problem making them stong enough. After considering several options, I think I'm going to go with a classic black vinyl covering and a Fender type cloth speaker grill. I like the look. QUOTE]Originally posted by ibanezax I play all that stuff!!! Sleepwalk and Walk Don't Run were the first song my Mentor taught Me!! Small World! Those are the first songs all us old timers learned. I've just sort of got back to my roots because I think that music is fun to play and fun to listen to. I've even recently got into a surf band. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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