building up strength fast?

I have a box that is pretty much all done. Its primed and wetsanded i just need about one more coat of primer. Its gonna hold an Eclipse 15 Aluminum running at 500 and i had second thoughts about the strength. Im sure its strong enough but I want to be TOTALLY sure to where i can just crank it to its peak and not have to worry about breaking a box i put hours and hours into and not to mention a ton of money. They hole is big enough to work inside and layer glass. Is there any secret to build extra strength besides just layering mat? thanks a tondream it, build it, fiberglass it

How thick did you make it?  I usually go about 4 layers of 1.5 oz mat and have never had a problem.  And this includes a sub in a .36 cubic foot sealed enclosure and powered by 1200 watts.

Making the enclosure about 3/8" thick with braces should be sufficient. I went to 5/8 " on my (3) Boston Acoustics 12.5 LF enclosure ( SEALED ) and it sounded solid.Jeff

Velocity Custom Home Theater

Mobile Audio/Video Specialist

Morden, Manitoba CANADA

Velocity I have never put braces, how do you suggest i do this because there are 2 part where it is molded to the floor then to the back of a seat that are flat and i think bracing would be a good idea there. They are thick but i just wanna make sure.dream it, build it, fiberglass it

The bracing has to be done in the building stage ( before combining the top to the enclosure ). This adds structural rigidity to the enclosure from the inside. The only other option is for you to use a resin expander for high build projects. This will add thickness and strength really fast.Jeff

Velocity Custom Home Theater

Mobile Audio/Video Specialist

Morden, Manitoba CANADA

Where would i find resin expander?dream it, build it, fiberglass it

UScomposites has it. Look for cabosil.

Do you mix this in with resin and just spread it on? or do you use the resin with expander in it on mat?dream it, build it, fiberglass it

You can use the resin/cabosil mix with matting or cloth. Don't use to much or it will negatively affect layup.

depending on how much extra glass and resin and time you have, you could build a test box.  To make the test box, make it exactly like what you want the real one to be like, but make it super thin.  This sounds kinda weird, but if you build it to break it, then you know where the weak spots are.  Just built it with maybe two layers of glass, put the sub in and crank it up 'till it breaks.  This will show you where you need to add more glass.  Engineers do this with race bikes and car hoods and other such things.  Just make it super thin, use it 'till it breaks, then reinforce the place where it broke on the real box.  This way you will know where it breaks on future boxes because you have tested it.if you dont know how to fix it right, just fake it