Oak ultimax sub build

[freedomgli]

Final thoughts. I've been running the sub for a few months now. Over all, I've been very happy with it. I've never had a sealed sub before, and the musical aspect is so much better than the ported subs I've had in the past. But....I find it lacking for movie watching.

That SVS PB16 Ultra is no joke. I listen mostly to stereo music so am looking at sealed subs and am hoping it will be enough to satisfy me. The DIY Sound Group/ Denovo/ Parts-Express flat-pack cabinet is a compromise. If you need sub-sonic frequencies (F3 below 20Hz) then you really need ports, large internal volume, a tapped horn cabinet or some combination thereof.

[freedomgli]

1. The stain wasn’t as dark as I wanted. I applied another coat, rubbed it in and the color is where I want it now. The nail hole filler took the stain too good, I’ll get used to it.

Woodworking is a terrible hobby for people with OCD like me. I keep telling myself that handmade wood objects have imperfections and that gives them character. Interestingly, I see this same advice printed in many furniture manufacturers' owner's manuals, likely as a means to reduce the number of costly returns.

4. The grandkids came over and I told them the bottom of the cabinet was theirs. They went to town with the sharpies. When they were done I sealed their art with poly.

What a great idea! I love it!

[Scuba_fd]

Final thoughts. I've been running the sub for a few months now. Over all, I've been very happy with it. I've never had a sealed sub before, and the musical aspect is so much better than the ported subs I've had in the past. But....I find it lacking for movie watching. So, this sub is going in my home gym where we listen to music exclusively. Arrived today is a SVS PB16 Ultra. I've ran it through a few test tonight, and I can say I'm am blown away. The punch you in the chest feeling I've been looking for has arrived.

Mike T.

[Jake]

That thing is a beast sitting next to that klipsch! Nice work, don't sweat the small stuff. I have zero patience when it comes to finishing. Enjoy.

[Jeffry Ames]

Beautiful! You’ve really taken the build to the next level, the artwork on bottom has established memories that will last a lifetime! I wonder if the bottoms of the kitchen drawers in the house I grew up in are still there... Perhaps I’ll stop and see if the owners of the house would let Me take a few pictures if they weren’t replaced. I still remember drawing on them 40yrs ago. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[tomzarbo]

I see my boo-boo's too, but from the pics, it looks great overall. And I think the carbon wrap came out fine. I'd be happy with it, I know it's hard to work with if you're looking for perfection.
Pretty cool too letting the grandkids decorate the underside.
I have a sub called the Hi-Vi 105... because it weighs 105 lbs. when populated with the driver and amp. It's compact enough, but I can't lift it, last time I tried I dinged a corner when it slipped out of my hands near the floor putting it down. Dolly is a good idea.
TomZ

[andykriech]

Very cool build. I see what you mean about the nail holes...
I look forward to hearing your take on how it works/sounds in your setup.
Andy.

[Scuba_fd]

Finished up today. I'll get it hooked up to my system and see how it does.
Two things that I consider boo-boos
1. I meant to have 2 inch styles all the way around the inset panels, but forgot about the top that was added, therefore there is a 2-3/4 style on top
2. I should have used the minwax wax filler so the nail holes filled with regular filler wouldn't stick out so much and look like polkadots.

[Scuba_fd]

Got the third and fourth coats of poly on. Installed the amp. Bolted in the baffle and started stuffing and netting in four pounds of material. Tomorrow night I’ll finish the stuffing and finally install the driver. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Scuba_fd]

Work completed over the weekend:

1. The stain wasn’t as dark as I wanted. I applied another coat, rubbed it in and the color is where I want it now. The nail hole filler took the stain too good, I’ll get used to it.

2. First and second coats of poly applied followed by a scrubbing with 0000 steel wool. I’ll spray the third and final coat this week

3. Put gasket material on the removable baffle.

4. The grandkids came over and I told them the bottom of the cabinet was theirs. They went to town with the sharpies. When they were done I sealed their art with poly.

[danmarx]

Very nice! Interesting combination of oak and the carbon fiber look, where the 70's and the 21st century meet back around again! Put the driver in, gotta see what that carbon-on-carbon looks like.

[Scuba_fd]

Two things done this morning:
1. Applied red oak stain
2. I've discovered vinyl wrapping is not the life for me. I watch countless youtube videos saying all you need is patience. Obviously that trait eludes me. Maybe no one will look closely and say "Dude, your corners are wrinkled". I have enough material for a second try if it bothers me too much.

Tomorrow I'll start putting the shiny stuff on it.

[Scuba_fd]

Things done today
1. Filled and sanded the holes for the removable baffle
2. Installed nutserts
3. Finish sanding completed
The SVS sub feet came in today. I ordered some threaded inserts for the sub to mount the feet. I'm going to start staining tonight or tomorrow. I'm beginning to like the looks of it

[Scuba_fd]

Been thinking about the baffle. I want it to be removable, so if I get tired of the finish, I can take it off and rework it. With that in mind, I was worried about vibration problems on something that is not glued on. I'm not worried about the area where the driver is going to be bolted, but I am a little concerned about the corners. I drilled 1/4 inch holes near the corner. Then used a forsner bit to counter sink the hole so the bolt heads are under the surface. Then I drilled several holes inside the counter sink. I filled the countersinks with the bolts in place with epoxy. I'll finish filling the countersinks with bondo and sand the surface smooth. I'm pretty confident this will hold.

[ceiol]

you've really transformed the way the enclosure looks.

strong work -- can't wait to see the final product