I'm trying to figure out what would be best. I want to do something tricked out, like thebigsadler did. I'm concerned about the price difference though. Thats why I'm thinking about wood. I have a friend at work that is very experienced in doing fiberglass and is willing to do it for me for free if I get him the parts. About how much would it cost in materials to do a phat enclosure and if anyone has a link to some pics, maxima or not, of a sweet enclosure I'd like to get some ideas.

Thanks - Chad

 

If you just want looks then build your box out of wood and do a really good job with the paint. No one will know what it is made out of. That's the real key to a good fiberglass look - the paint, prep, and finnish.

 

You can also use a little of both. I built a box for my truck that has wood sides, back, top and bottom, and a fiberglass front. In my opinion is looks pretty good.
Kevin.

 

To answer your main question. Wood box is cheaper than fiberglass, but since you have someone that will do it for free you may spend about $75 to $100 in parts if it will be a full fiberglass box. Best thing to do is what was mentioned before. Wood sides and fiber front, that way you may speand about $50.

 

Of course those prices consider using the cheapest resin and cheapest weave of glass available. As well as the minimum of safety equipment. So you end up with something that looks pretty but isn't much better than wood, if at all. And an installer who can't remember his or her middle name and gets a lot of headaches.

 

What about the difference between an MDF box and an all plexiglass box? Does the sound change or is that just for looks?

 

If the structural integrity is compromised the sound will change. How much it changes is relative to many things, including temperature and mounting location. A plexi wall that is not properly secured and sealed will have a negative affect. But you may not be able to hear the difference. Plexiglass is just for looks, not sound quality.

 

Each different enclosure building material has a different resonant frequency. Each box will sound different. They can be tuned the same but sound different.

 

Not to mention that a plexi box will be much more expensive than either. I use Bondo resin and fleece. It works like a charm and is pretty inexpensive, and strong.
Kevin.

 

While I agree that the different materials have differing resonant frequencies I disagree that the differences may be heard. Especially in an enclosure that plays frequencies our ears have so much trouble hearing. The way an enclosure is braced is what makes the difference in reducing unwanted resonance. I also discourage the use of bondo and fleece to obtain a rigid enclosure. As fleece has essentially no structural properties. The glass and it's fiber orientation are the strength of a fiberglass enclosure that is typically constructed with bondo resin. Many, unfortunately do not take time to read up on the process of fiberglass construction.