I just need to know where to buy some MDF to build my sub box. Does home depot and lowes carry it or do I need to order it?

 

either will have it, and go with baltic birch. cheaper, and lighter, just as dense. and did i mention lighter? hella lighter. get some clamps while your at it and titebondII (I use gorilla), you can go without screwing, but i recommend screws regardless. Good luck.

 

The do have the MDF at the big orange box. Check the aisle with the lumber. There was a big sign explaining what MDF stood for, etc...

 

go birch if you wanna spend some more money. it's MUCH lighter than MDF. but MDF is fine if you're not concerned about weight. i get my MDF/Birch at lowes or home depot.

 

Medium Density Fiberboard.

Also you can purchase HDF = High Density Fiberboard. Why? I don't know what you would need that for, but it is available.

cheers.

 

HD/Lowes has MDF in various sizes. Birch as well but most if not all have the Birch veneer and not true through and through Birch. For that you would have to visit a local lumber yard or a custom cabinet center.

 

I presume the birch veneered material material you are referring to is a particle core and not a plywood core.

If it is lighter (for the same thickness) than MDF then it only has a regular particle board (coarse grained) core. This is the same stuff that cheap cabinets are made from. If you are going to cover it with carpet, you really don't need a fiinish grade veneer on it. Why not just use regular particle board? It is the same stuff minus the veneer and is cheaper. Although the veneer does help to hold the particle board together because the edges tend to crumble pretty easily.

I prefer working with MDF as it will take a profile bit (router) and maintain a clean edge which regular particle board (veneered or not) will not.

 

oh no, it's plywood core.

 

As Gordon mentioned it is at least plywood core. I prefer the 'good' cabinet grade 9+ layer actual Birch.

 

 

Are internal voids ever a concern for the box itself generating noise?

It has been a while since I have priced plywoods, but isn't the G1S fir plywood cheaper than the birch?

 

I do plan on carpeting. Which I also need to know where to buy. Don what kind of board is that pic? Looks great. That the birch? how thick?

 

Yes it is full Birch. 1" front panel 3/4" around. I was almost ashamed to cover it with carpet/laminate though.

 

a nice stain would set that off and make it look really unique. hmmmm further thoughts for my box when it's time....

 

Blah blah blah got it, and yeah baltic birch, thats the ticket 16.86 for a half a sheet and not particle board. Dont touch particle board...Ever... not marine grade that would be the only other discriminator i know of

 

Thank you. I know what MDF stood for..I was explaining that there was a SIGN in the aisle to help others who DIDN'T know what MDF stood for.

 

thanks Don. Think I'm going to try that idea. 1" up front and 3/4 all around. Not sure if I'm going to carpet or not. Not sure where to find good stuff.

 

Must have misunderstood. my bad. I'm sure there are some here that don't know what it is

 

Like mentioned above....the birch found at HD/Lowes is not real birch...

DO NOT USE IT FOR SUB BOXES! Most of it is not void free and therefore inconsistent...

Gotta pay to play, real 13ply birch in 5 x 5 panels runs from 40-100 bucks a sheet depending on your location...

 

cool good to know thx

 

pretty sure the birch they sell at the HD/Lowes in town are real birch.

last sheet i bought was 9 ply iirc, and was 45 bucks. it was void free as well. so i guess it really depends on your location.

 

Consider yourself lucky then

Cheapest I have seen true 13 ply baltic birch was at lumber yards for 70+ a sheet...