is this strong enough?
Printed From: the12volt.com
Forum Name: Fiberglass, Fabrication, and Interiors
Forum Discription: Fiberglass Kick Panels, Subwoofer Enclosures, Plexiglas, Fabrics, Materials, Finishes, etc.
URL: https://www.the12volt.com/installbay/forum_posts.asp?tid=62432
Printed Date: May 04, 2024 at 3:09 AM
Topic: is this strong enough?
Posted By: TI240
Subject: is this strong enough?
Date Posted: September 09, 2005 at 10:47 AM
a friend is building an enclosure for me and after seeing the finished product i am a little sceptical of its strength. basically the back, sides, top, and bottom are all 3/4 mdf but the face is all fiberglass with a mdf ring "floating" in the center of the glass to mount the sub. the sub is pretty heavy, an eclipse titanium 12", and i was wondering if this is a good way to build a box - just doesn't seem like fiberglass should be used where you would usually find mdf.
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2005 Nissan Frontier - stock
comming soon...
Eclipse CD8443 deck
Eclipse PA5422 4-channel
Infinity Kappa Perfect 6.1 front
MBquart DKE116 rear
Eclipse SW9122 the 12's
Eclipse DA7232 bass amp
Replies:
Posted By: Poormanq45
Date Posted: September 09, 2005 at 11:02 AM
Haha, don't be sceptical of fiberglass. If it passed the thumb test it should hold the driver just fine.
What I don't understand is why he used fiberglass on the front only? Usually I prefer an all or nothing approach. Meaning either all MDF, or all fiberglass
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Posted By: TI240
Date Posted: September 09, 2005 at 11:06 AM
well that's good to here, didn't realize that fiberglass could be so strong. thanks for the reply, i swear i learn something here on a daily basis
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2005 Nissan Frontier - stock
comming soon...
Eclipse CD8443 deck
Eclipse PA5422 4-channel
Infinity Kappa Perfect 6.1 front
MBquart DKE116 rear
Eclipse SW9122 the 12's
Eclipse DA7232 bass amp
Posted By: auex
Date Posted: September 09, 2005 at 5:32 PM
Poormanq45 wrote:
What I don't understand is why he used fiberglass on the front only? Usually I prefer an all or nothing approach. Meaning either all MDF, or all fiberglass
You would. Note the bold! You don't understand
Fiberglass is stronger then MDF, therefore 1/4" of fiberglass is stronger then 3/4" of mdf. The only difference in strength is when fiberglass is in long flat areas. Fiberglass is strongest in curves. ------------- Certified Security Specialist
Always check info with a digital multimeter.
I promise to be good.
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Posted By: haemphyst
Date Posted: September 09, 2005 at 5:48 PM
Yes, glass IS stronger than MDF... for FAR less volume occupied, but the strength is not what you should be worried about here... What you SHOULD be worried about is RIGIDITY, something that this thin a layer of glass is NOT going to have. ESPECIALLY if it is a flat surface (I am assuming - sounds that way, as you described it). The rigidity of fiberglass comes from, as auex said, curved surfaces. If that front panel is not curved, it's gonna breathe like a drumskin... VERY MUCH NOT a desired characteristic in a subwoofer enclosure... If it is flat, I can tell you without even looking at it, you need more mass in the panel!
BTW, I am using that SAME woofer, (with the same amplifier) and no matter HOW thick the front panel might be, I would NEVER trust it to hold that driver without some kind of support or MAJOR reinforcement...
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It all reminds me of something that Molière once said to Guy de Maupassant at a café in Vienna: "That's nice. You should write it down."
Posted By: TI240
Date Posted: September 10, 2005 at 11:17 AM
damn...i knew something didn't look right. the front of box is curved though, the mounting ring that the sub screws to sits about 1.5" farther out than the sides of the box. so the fiberglass kinda rolls up from the sides to meet the "ring".
what's the best/easiest way of reinforcing a box like that? one that's already built that is and the only access inside is through the opening where the sub goes. or is it time to start over...
-------------
2005 Nissan Frontier - stock
comming soon...
Eclipse CD8443 deck
Eclipse PA5422 4-channel
Infinity Kappa Perfect 6.1 front
MBquart DKE116 rear
Eclipse SW9122 the 12's
Eclipse DA7232 bass amp
Posted By: Poormanq45
Date Posted: September 10, 2005 at 11:45 AM
So what you're saying is the front face has a curve to it now. YOu can reinforce it one of two ways; 1: Form the inside, 2: from the outside. Add more 'glass to increase the strength
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Posted By: crzycreations
Date Posted: September 10, 2005 at 12:21 PM
Have you tried using the enclosure yet?
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-Don't buy it, Build it-
Posted By: TI240
Date Posted: September 10, 2005 at 1:14 PM
no, hasn't been used yet
-------------
2005 Nissan Frontier - stock
comming soon...
Eclipse CD8443 deck
Eclipse PA5422 4-channel
Infinity Kappa Perfect 6.1 front
MBquart DKE116 rear
Eclipse SW9122 the 12's
Eclipse DA7232 bass amp
Posted By: TI240
Date Posted: September 10, 2005 at 1:16 PM
still have to complete wiring and amp rack
-------------
2005 Nissan Frontier - stock
comming soon...
Eclipse CD8443 deck
Eclipse PA5422 4-channel
Infinity Kappa Perfect 6.1 front
MBquart DKE116 rear
Eclipse SW9122 the 12's
Eclipse DA7232 bass amp
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