I'm thinking about building some speaker cabinets, but I'm trying to weigh up how practical it is for me to do it. The biggest issue is that I don't have anywhere suitable for spraying a finish (no garage, shed, etc.) so I'd have to apply the finish by brush.

Normally I'd just tack on vinyl covering or carpet or whatever, but since these cabs will be sitting around the house when I'm not gigging them I figured it'd be nice if they didn't look like a gig rig. So I'd like to finish them with some translucent... stuff. But it's got to be a hard and durable finish. And I've got to be able to apply it by hand.

Anyone know anything about that sort of thing?

Would gloss do the trick, or varnish or something?

I'll ask my Grandpa tomorrow, he does this sort of stuff.

Well I'm thinking of using a water-based polyurethane lacquer, but I'm not sure if there's a better solution. I don't mind if they pick up a few dings, I'm just trying to avoid having to cover them with vinyl or something nasty like that, so they don't look too conspicuous in my dining room.

Al Heeley would know what to do. He never comes here no mo'.

+1 for polyurethane varnish. We sell this stuff where i work (jewson) and it is hard wearing and gives a nice finish. There is only one thing i know of that could be better, and that is yaught varnish. It is similar to poly varnish but is a lot harder and can take more stick than other varnishes.

Quote from danthebangerboy :

There is only one thing i know of that could be better, and that is yaught varnish.

Good call, I might have to use that. It's spelt "Yacht" BTW.

Thanks.

Quote from thisnameistaken :

Good call, I might have to use that. It's spelt "Yacht" BTW.

Thanks.

i tried every spelling i could think of, but kept getting a red wiggly line under the word. is this in fact an outbreak of internet caterpillars or something?

I hate the spell-checker in Firefox. It seems to want me to use Americanised (it wants "Americanized", how very droll!) spellings, which of course are wrong.

Kev, I prefer to use lube while dealing with my wood... dunno how you handle yours...

:hide:

The yacht varnish sounds like a good idea, it'd be practically indestructible with a good few coats of that stuff.

Out of interest have you any idea of the type of wood you'd be using ? if it's oak or pine or something with a nice grain pattern, putting a clear yacht varnish on it would look pretty cool (although i'd suggest using a wood dye/wood stain if you're using pine)

Would the wood you would most likely use affect the sound quality ?, would it sound a bit...woody ? (i'm thinking of any resonance going through it, i'm guessing there maybe more flex in natural wood, as apposed to the very rigid chipboard that most cabinets use, but it may not have any difference on the sound quality at all, i dunno ? and i can't think up any more woody word play lines either, so i'll shut up now)

I think I'm using 12mm ply board for rigidity, hopefully it won't get too heavy. It'll be lined with acoustic foam to dampen wolf notes / keep resonant peaks in check.

TBH I've just priced up the build and I'm look at about £300 per cab. Still looking around boutique lightweight cabs to see if I can find anything with similar performance for similar money, because I'm... well... not that "handy". Luckily there's no metal involved because I don't even know what type of nails you use for metal.

I've been thinking about this for the last few mins and, it may not be as easy to build it as you may think.

For a start, you don't really wanna be solely using nails , not on something that's gonna have very low frequency vibrations constantly pumped through it (they'll pop out in no time). You'd really need some proper wood joints, like a dovetail or finger joint at the very least, as well as plenty of bracing struts (bit like a bulkhead in a ship) and some top quality wood glue

Then there's the problem of cutting the circular hole for the speaker (as well as cutting out the joints). How you gonna do that ?, got any proper tools, or are you hoping to do all this with a junior hacksaw and a couple of sheets of sandpaper

There is loads of personal satisfaction to be had when you do build stuff like this, but like many things it's never quite as easy as we all think. If i were you i'd definitely be hunting down Al Heeley and asking for his help. Either that or keep an eye out for the auction house's if there are any near you, see if there are any nice amp's going cheap, you'd be amazed at the bargains you can pick up in those places

Oh, and, i'm not sure ply would be the best thing to use tbh, i'm no expert, but ply is only very thin sheets of veneer glued together, and it tends to split really easily (could be wrong on it's suitability for a speaker cabinet, but i wouldn't personally use it). Chipboard or MDF is probably a safer bet, but then as you say this only adds to the weight of the thing

Quote from Mazz4200 :

Then there's the problem of cutting the circular hole for the speaker (as well as cutting out the joints). How you gonna do that ?, got any proper tools, or are you hoping to do all this with a junior hacksaw and a couple of sheets of sandpaper

I'm sure I can borrow a jig saw from somewhere. I think I can cope with sawing, drilling, gluing and screwing, etc. and there are no fancy joints required. I should point out this isn't my cabinet design, so all the bracing and everything else has already been considered by somebody who understands acoustics. All that is needed is a cretin to bodge it together.

I haven't decided whether to do it yet anyway. To be honest it's the wrong time of year to be thinking about it given that I'd have to do most of the work in my garden, but maybe I'll get ready to do it in the spring.

Quote from thisnameistaken :

I hate the spell-checker in Firefox.

https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/3366

Quote from wien :

https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/3366

I probably should've thought of that myself. Thank you.

Could you build a cabinet that they kind of slot into when they're in your living room? That way you could keep the cabinet looking nice and finished well, but still have the speakers well armoured with carpet/vinyl/whatever for when you're gigging.

It's been 20 years since I built mine, but here is what I know:

• Chip board and MDF have better acoustical properties than plywood. But if you are following someone else's design, just stick to the recipe.
  
• Let the store where you buy the wood also saw the main panels.
  
• For finishing you could use veneer. It comes in several types of wood, and can be ironed on. The only problem lies in getting hold of the right size.
  
• There are water-based paints for colouring the wood (black, chestnut, etc.). They are absorbed by the wood, and you can apply lacquer on top of it.
  
• Yacht varnish is tough, but also very shiny. It shows every dent in the wood and every flaw in your craftsmanship. I'd go for a semi-matte finish (eggshell).
  
• If you are going to lug them around, screw a handle on the back.
  
• Finally: there are specialised stores, magazines and websites for home-built speaker cabinets.
  

Quote from thisnameistaken :

I haven't decided whether to do it yet anyway. To be honest it's the wrong time of year to be thinking about it given that I'd have to do most of the work in my garden, but maybe I'll get ready to do it in the spring.

Well there's your answer. First thing to do is build yourself a garden shed, that'll teach you all the woodworking skills you'll ever need

I haven't really got room for a shed, the greenhouse is taking up all the room. It would have to be quite a big shed to allow for the sawing up of 8' x 4' board too.

I'm tempted to order the materials today and dedicate all of next week to it, just to show you!

Quote from thisnameistaken :

Luckily there's no metal involved because I don't even know what type of nails you use for metal.

I know that was intentional, but i proper rofl'd





I'd think about just using a stain, then if you're not completely satisfied, you could always pop a light coat of clear varnish over the top.

Kev, if it`s durability and dingproofness on some nondescript wood, then just grab some ronseal interior wood finish shit. It does exactly what it says on the tin, innit?

If it`s not going to be thrown at passing gypsies, and you choose a nice looking grain, then add a nice oil and wax finish to it. It`ll give you a nice soft glossy look to the wood and it won`t affect the sound.

Quote from thisnameistaken :

I'm tempted to order the materials today and dedicate all of next week to it, just to show you!

You should do it, seriously, have a go.

There's such a great sense of personal satisfaction when you 'get your hands dirty' and make something that you can actually see and touch, something that's real, something that you can keep and cherish, as opposed to all that website stuff you do which is all electronic 1's and 0's, and is all for someone else. It's especially satisfying when you really put your mind to it and do the best job you can, you'll treasure it far longer than anything you'd buy from a shop.

A few years ago me and the missus built an electric guitar. I did all the wood and metal work stuff, and she did all the colouring, painting and varnishing stuff. And whilst it'll never be a top quality Gibson or Fender, and doesn't really have the best quality pickups. I'd never get rid of it. Other guitars have come and gone, but this one's a keeper. It's like it's got a place in me heart. Guess i'm a bit of a sentimental old fool, but, it was great fun making it, and it's totally unique. Still looks great even to this day

Quote from GFresh :

I know that was intentional, but i proper rofl'd

Lol, i never noticed he'd said "using nails in metal" until you quoted him. Feel a bit of a sucker for telling him not to use nails in his coffin, er his cabinet...

Quote from Mazz4200 :

A few years ago me and the missus built an electric guitar. I did all the wood and metal work stuff, and she did all the colouring, painting and varnishing stuff. And whilst it'll never be a top quality Gibson or Fender, and doesn't really have the best quality pickups. I'd never get rid of it. Other guitars have come and gone, but this one's a keeper. It's like it's got a place in me heart. Guess i'm a bit of a sentimental old fool, but, it was great fun making it, and it's totally unique. Still looks great even to this day

You made a guitar? Wow. A friend of mine made a couple of guitars years ago, a Stingray bass clone and an electric guitar with a fancy carved top. The 'ray is a bit of a dog to be honest but the guitar is nice, if a bit on the heavy side. There's a lot of tricky stuff involved in making a good neck though, or even a bad one! Kudos to you.

Hahaha: I've just told my girlfriend I'm going to build some speaker cabinets and she looked at me like I had two heads, neither of which knew how to make speaker cabinets.

Quote from wsinda :

It's been 20 years since I built mine, but here is what I know: ...

Forgot to thank you for all your great advice. Thanks!

As for handles: Each cab will weigh about 22kg, so I'm going to put recessed handles on the sides and hope I can get them in the right place, weight distribution-wise.

Fibreboard would probably be easier to work with, it's just a bit ugly, I'd have to cover it with something. I don't really like the idea of fake veneer but I also don't want to resort to anything too dark in terms of cloth covering or staining. I was hoping for a sort-of Birch colour, which I wouldn't mind a bit of yellowing on as the laquer ages.

Anyway, still in the thinking stages. Thanks again.

Quote from thisnameistaken :

You made a guitar? Wow. A friend of mine made a couple of guitars years ago, a Stingray bass clone and an electric guitar with a fancy carved top. The 'ray is a bit of a dog to be honest but the guitar is nice, if a bit on the heavy side. There's a lot of tricky stuff involved in making a good neck though, or even a bad one! Kudos to you.

Well, yeah, but no. Maybe i made it sound like i'd built the thing from just a blank bit of wood. But no, there's a shop up here that used to sell 'semi' ready made necks and bodies. Basically just rough bits of wood in the shape of a the neck and body (mines the typical Strat shape). But they needed lots of finishing, and various holes, (especially in the body) needed cutting, routing and drilling for the electrics, machine heads, and that spring loaded thing that you put the strings into underneath (it's name escapes me) etc. So in one senses it was more of a rough and ready DIY kit. And it was more of a case of buying all the extra bits and glueing and screwing them in place. Oh bollocks, ok, i'll admit it, it was essentially an airfix kit that any half blind 8yr old could have done, but funnily enough i did actually have to use a junior hacksaw and several sheets of sandpaper to finish it

But the wife did a cracking job on the paint work. On the neck and fingerboard she used this lovely honey coloured wood stain which came up a treat when varnished. And the body was done in some sort of crackled antique 'off-white' colour with a shiney mottled silvery effect scratch plate. She was an art graduate so has a really good eye for that sort of stuff. If it was left to me i'd have dunked it in a bucket or hammerite and be done with it.

Quote from thisnameistaken :

Hahaha: I've just told my girlfriend I'm going to build some speaker cabinets and she looked at me like I had two heads, neither of which knew how to make speaker cabinets.

Stereo, it's been out for 40 years or more.

Dunno about you, but the wife used to get me with that one all the time. Whenever she wanted me to do something she'd always laugh and say, "Nah, you'll never be able to do that, you don't know the first thing about it" knowing full well i'd do whatever it was just to prove a point. Come to think of it, that's how i ended up marrying her....