Wolf's PC, Sprite, and Voxel Subwoofer 2.1's in Walnut

[Cajun Jeff]

Re: Wolf's PC, Sprite, and Voxel Subwoofer 2.1's in Walnut

I was able to work on these again in the last couple days. Yesterday I cut all the box joints and the curves at the bottom of the enclosures.

I decided to use MDF for the bottom panel since it will be hidden except for the rear of the cabinet. I laminated walnut to the MDF where it will show.


Here are the bottom panels cut and ready for glue up.


The bottom panel clamped into the dados that I cut into the side panels.


Squeeze out on the box joints.


Another look at the dado joint.


Three of the Sprite cabinets after removing clamps.


All six of them...


And a look at the bottom panel in the dado again. You can see on the left the rear of that cabinet where I laminated the walnut for aesthetics. The cabinet on the right show the front where the baffle will hide the MDF.

[Cajun Jeff]

Re: Wolf's PC, Sprite, and Voxel Subwoofer 2.1's in Walnut

Couldn't, if done very carefully, ply be used to make finger joints? May yeild some very interesting results, that might actually look pretty cool.

And for the record, I look forward to updates on this thread. Your work is great.

Yes. Absolutely.

I had a particular look etched in my brain as I approached this project though, and it relied heavily on solid walnut.

I could have done this in solid genuine mahogany for a out 30% less dough on lumber. Sapelle would have been cheaper also, but is harder on tools.

My second trip to buy walnut I was able to buy it considerably cheeper than my first trip. Prices on this stuff fluctuate. Im lucky my supplier passes savings on.

[dustinbagby]

Re: Wolf's PC, Sprite, and Voxel Subwoofer 2.1's in Walnut

I buy rough cut hardwood lumber from a local supplier. This is solid walnut. Its a huge operation selling truckloads of hardwood to cabinet shops. The bundled stacks of hardwood are random width. Generally 4" to 8" in width. Rough cut lumber has not been "dimensioned". It is sold by quarters from 4/4 at its thinnest on up to 6/4 or 8/4. 4/4 is cut at one inch thick there abouts before kiln drying. From there it has to be milled on a planer to desired thickness. Rough cut lumber also has no straight trued edge. I have a jig for this but...... Straight edging and milling 4/4 rough cut walnut to 3/4 or 1/2 inch lumber can be time consuming and hard on tools. For larger projects, I pay an additional $.11 per board foot to get one straight edge cut and have it surface planed to 13/16". I plane to 3/4" on my own equipment.

He sells plywoods and veneered mdf to match most all of the hardwood he sells.

So far, on this project I have spent $310 on walnut lumber. Thats $62 per 2.1 system. Not too bad considering how nice they will look. I considered walnut plywood, but the desire to use finger joints required solid wood.

Couldn't, if done very carefully, ply be used to make finger joints? May yeild some very interesting results, that might actually look pretty cool.

And for the record, I look forward to updates on this thread. Your work is great.

[dels]

Re: Wolf's PC, Sprite, and Voxel Subwoofer 2.1's in Walnut

Absolutely awesome work.

[Cajun Jeff]

Re: Wolf's PC, Sprite, and Voxel Subwoofer 2.1's in Walnut

What a great thread - really enjoying it

Do you have a moisture meter or does your lumber distributor markup the boards with their moisture content when selling them?

I'm sooooooo tempted to buy a sawmill. I'm obsessed with the milling process. I don't really have the time or money to start that sort of hobby though :(

I don't own a moisture meter. All of the lumber from this source is kiln dried. It goes out to cabinet shops.

I have used air dried locally sawn sinker cypress on less critical projects.

[lowpolyjoe]

Re: Wolf's PC, Sprite, and Voxel Subwoofer 2.1's in Walnut

What a great thread - really enjoying it

Do you have a moisture meter or does your lumber distributor markup the boards with their moisture content when selling them?

I'm sooooooo tempted to buy a sawmill. I'm obsessed with the milling process. I don't really have the time or money to start that sort of hobby though :(

[Cajun Jeff]

Re: Wolf's PC, Sprite, and Voxel Subwoofer 2.1's in Walnut

Just wondering what you are using for your walnut Jeff? Is it just strips and how thick? I saw a 3/4" 4x8 sheet here for $160!

PS - my wife says your speakers are beautiful!

I buy rough cut hardwood lumber from a local supplier. This is solid walnut. Its a huge operation selling truckloads of hardwood to cabinet shops. The bundled stacks of hardwood are random width. Generally 4" to 8" in width. Rough cut lumber has not been "dimensioned". It is sold by quarters from 4/4 at its thinnest on up to 6/4 or 8/4. 4/4 is cut at one inch thick there abouts before kiln drying. From there it has to be milled on a planer to desired thickness. Rough cut lumber also has no straight trued edge. I have a jig for this but...... Straight edging and milling 4/4 rough cut walnut to 3/4 or 1/2 inch lumber can be time consuming and hard on tools. For larger projects, I pay an additional $.11 per board foot to get one straight edge cut and have it surface planed to 13/16". I plane to 3/4" on my own equipment.

He sells plywoods and veneered mdf to match most all of the hardwood he sells.

So far, on this project I have spent $310 on walnut lumber. Thats $62 per 2.1 system. Not too bad considering how nice they will look. I considered walnut plywood, but the desire to use finger joints required solid wood.

[Derekj]

Re: Wolf's PC, Sprite, and Voxel Subwoofer 2.1's in Walnut

Progress to date:

I have had to edge glue walnut boards together to create panels wide enough for the Voxel and Sprite side panels. I was able to run the laminated boards for the Sprites through my 13 inch planer to smooth them. The ones for the Voxels are much wider and I have been waiting over a week for a chance to run those pieces through a 20 inch planer that a cabinet maker friend owns. That chance will come tomorrow morning.

The side and top panels for the Sprites have been cut to size....

Where I was able, I paid special attention to match the grain. This should be a really nice look as the grain wraps through the box joints at the top of the enclosures. This was impossible for a few of the enclosures, but will look great on the ones where I was able to do it.

Just wondering what you are using for your walnut Jeff? Is it just strips and how thick? I saw a 3/4" 4x8 sheet here for $160!

PS - my wife says your speakers are beautiful!

[Wolf]

Re: Wolf's PC, Sprite, and Voxel Subwoofer 2.1's in Walnut

The wolfs pc are a great sounding little speaker through the lepai 2.1 amp. last night I connected a pair to an older Pioneer audio/video receiver and they REALLY livened up. My bedroom isn't extremely large, and the lepai pushes a pair as loud as I'd care to listen in my bedroom. If you can spread them far enough apart so that they can be aimed toward the listening position you would be pleased. They are a poor off axis performer, however they were designed as a desktop speaker.....and would absolutely impress if used as such. I cannot wait to hear them with the subwoofer.

It is unfair to compare to the Overnight Sensation as there is really no comparison. The OS is a VERY good sounding speaker in many regards that the PC just cannot compete with. It would be like comparing the OS TM to a OS MTM.

Agreed; apples to oranges, and you definitely stated the faults they do have.

Now- an OS vs. a Sophomore- that's a better comparison.
Later,
Wolf

[Cajun Jeff]

Re: Wolf's PC, Sprite, and Voxel Subwoofer 2.1's in Walnut

Really beautifull enclosures , love the joints !

How do these sound compared to the O.S ??

The wolfs pc are a great sounding little speaker through the lepai 2.1 amp. last night I connected a pair to an older Pioneer audio/video receiver and they REALLY livened up. My bedroom isn't extremely large, and the lepai pushes a pair as loud as I'd care to listen in my bedroom. If you can spread them far enough apart so that they can be aimed toward the listening position you would be pleased. They are a poor off axis performer, however they were designed as a desktop speaker.....and would absolutely impress if used as such. I cannot wait to hear them with the subwoofer.

It is unfair to compare to the Overnight Sensation as there is really no comparison. The OS is a VERY good sounding speaker in many regards that the PC just cannot compete with. It would be like comparing the OS TM to a OS MTM.

[Cajun Jeff]

Re: Wolf's PC, Sprite, and Voxel Subwoofer 2.1's in Walnut

Progress to date:

I have had to edge glue walnut boards together to create panels wide enough for the Voxel and Sprite side panels. I was able to run the laminated boards for the Sprites through my 13 inch planer to smooth them. The ones for the Voxels are much wider and I have been waiting over a week for a chance to run those pieces through a 20 inch planer that a cabinet maker friend owns. That chance will come tomorrow morning.

The side and top panels for the Sprites have been cut to size....

Where I was able, I paid special attention to match the grain. This should be a really nice look as the grain wraps through the box joints at the top of the enclosures. This was impossible for a few of the enclosures, but will look great on the ones where I was able to do it.




The bottom panel of the enclosures will mate to the side via a dado in the side panels.


I used a strip of scrap to chase my panels through the cut to act as a zero clearance backer. This prevents tear-out when exiting the cut.


The next step on the Sprites will be to cut the box joints. Here are the panels thus far....

[Derekj]

Re: Wolf's PC, Sprite, and Voxel Subwoofer 2.1's in Walnut

Any progress lately Jeff?

[randyc1]

Re: Wolf's PC, Sprite, and Voxel Subwoofer 2.1's in Walnut

Really beautifull enclosures , love the joints !

How do these sound compared to the O.S ??

[Wolf]

Re: Wolf's PC, Sprite, and Voxel Subwoofer 2.1's in Walnut

Thumbs up to Wolf!!!!

Thank you!
Wolf

[Cajun Jeff]

Re: Wolf's PC, Sprite, and Voxel Subwoofer 2.1's in Walnut

When my woman uses the word "sexy" to describe a pair of speakers, you know you've done something right. Her typical response is "I don't care about your speaker crap."

Awesome job man, I envy your woodworking/finishing skills. I'm getting there...

Well now I am flattered. One of the sets is for my bedroom. The remainder will all be gifts to female recipients......so......if they strike a chord with your girl I am on track!

Thanks to all of you for the positive responses.

I have started on the Voxel subwoofers. The lack of wide walnut boards necessitated some glue ups. I' m currently on hold until I can find a cabinet shop that will agree to run them through their drum sander. Stay tuned!

FWIW, I have been listening to a pair in my bedroom through the Lepai 2.1 amp. For their size the PC is a very impressive speaker pair. I believe the sub will fill in anything that's lacking in them and give them an overall larger sound. Very clean sound with surprising bass. They really hit some low notes well. In my opinion the biggest weakness is off axis highs. Of course for the intended desktop use this would be no issue. For other use it requires a little thought in placement. As I tap this note! I am listening to. Sara Bareilles new album "Brave Enough- live at the variety playhouse" for the first time through. Piano, accoustic and electric guitar, and of course her amazing vocals all reproduced very clean and clear.

Thumbs up to Wolf!!!!