Construction Stapler on Arauco Plywood?

[DJPhatman]

The only corner that I 'Cut" is the wood because I am building 8 total cabs. Right now.. Arauco is going to cost me $528 for all 8 cabs.. BB is running $55 for a 5X5 in my area... so BB would cost me about $1540. Thats a $1000 difference in just wood.
I don't drink & my job is mobile so If I miss a few meals it would take me well over a year before I saved up enough for the baltic. I'll stick with the wood that Bill has recommended as an alternative... unless I find cheaper BB around here. But so far no such luck.

And you missed the rest of my answer. I'm not trying to be a jerk to you. What I said is:

Do whatever it takes to obtain the best of everything and you will never regret it.

This means the best plywood (Baltic Birch), the premium drivers (in the plans) and the very best expanding polyurethane adhesive available. In my book, if you need 8 cabs, the extra $1000 is money well spent, for a show large enough that needs 8 subs, will be paying for 8 subs. In other words "BUY ONCE, CRY ONCE!" I will say that Bill's designs are very sturdy, but the day to day usage of a mobile system will strike a heavy toll on soft wood. Arauco dents and chips a lot easier than BB, and hauling 8 cabs means you will more than likely not be handling everything by yourself. I know you are looking for the most inexpensive way to build, but I strongly urge you to consider your options more throughly. You are making a long term investment into your business. Treat it as such. Stop thinking as a DJ trying to get by on the cheap, and start thinking of yourself as the business owner who is re-investing into the business for a long term payback.

[bzb]

Also, you'll want to use screws when you install that final panel. It's far more trouble to try to clamp that huge cab up properly and get brads into it.

Much easier to pre-drill the holes as the plans describe.

What I did was trace the lines and pre-drill all the interior panels. Used screws on one edge and clamps to get everything sqaure. Then I screwed all the interior panels, and worked my way out from the screwed edge with the finish nailer.

If you're using cheap roundover bits that you don't care much about, they'll cut through 16ga just fine. But Bill's suggestion on the 18ga is a better solution.

As far as the screws go, chances are, you won't even need to countersink them, as screws tend to sink into pine. The pre-drilling just helps you locate those interior panels.


While I agree with Phatty on most of his post, I'd say using Arauco internally and BB externally is a great solution that will get your costs down somewhat, but afford you all the benefits of BB.

I'm a cheapskate, so I'll try out the cheap solution first... and usually end up crying twice

[WB]

Just looked it up... i'm using a Ridgid Finish Staple gun R150FSA. similar and probably identical to this one http://www.newwoodworker.com/reviews/r150fsarvu.html

That looks a lot like what I'm using.

Don't most people use screws there? What do they do when they want to round over the edges?

I stopped using screws on outside panels. Makes things so much easier.

[xplizt]

And you missed the rest of my answer. I'm not trying to be a jerk to you.

I know that you are not trying to be a jerk but you come off a bit harsh. I understand your method and I totally agree... although an extra $1000 is simply not feasible at the moment for me. Its not that I don't want to spend the cash because trust me.. if I had it I would go with the baltic.. but I am actually finally starting on this project when I have the least amount of money. So an extra grand just isn't happening. I've already been sitting on this project for about 2 years! I don't trash my equipment and I use the upmost care when transporting. Also, these cab's aren't going to be going through punishment or daily or even weekly tours. Honestly I am probably only going to be using them a handful of times each year.

I think I am going to do what BZB has told me several times already.. use BB on the outer panels and use the cheaper stuff for the inner. The only problem with this is... unless I can find a bigger sheet than 5X5, I am going to waste one sheet per side.

The first two cabs are completely Arauco.. the next ones will either be a hybrid or if I do end up finding cheaper BB and 4X8 specifically... I will build them out of pure BB.

For now, the duratex will have to reinforce my first two boxes. And really the wood isn't that soft.

Just looked it up... i'm using a Ridgid Finish Staple gun R150FSA. similar and probably identical to this one http://www.newwoodworker.com/reviews/r150fsarvu.html

That looks a lot like what I'm using.

Soo??... and what's the ruling??? That indeed looks to be the same gun. What have you built and how do you like the staple gun?

Don't most people use screws there? What do they do when they want to round over the edges?

I stopped using screws on outside panels. Makes things so much easier.

And now what do you use? Staples? Do you still round over your edges?

[WB]

Just looked it up... i'm using a Ridgid Finish Staple gun R150FSA. similar and probably identical to this one http://www.newwoodworker.com/reviews/r150fsarvu.html

That looks a lot like what I'm using.

Soo??... and what's the ruling??? That indeed looks to be the same gun. What have you built and how do you like the staple gun?

I use both, but mostly the stapler. I'll use the brads for finicky stuff, to align parts for handling purposes. I like the stapler for its better clamping power. Here's some of the stuff I've built:
http://web.mac.com/wb12/iWeb/WB%20/DR25 ... 20One.html

Don't most people use screws there? What do they do when they want to round over the edges?

I stopped using screws on outside panels. Makes things so much easier.

And now what do you use? Staples? Do you still round over your edges?

I've put outside panels on with only biscuits and clamps, but will use staples if needed. The last build was 1/2" Baltic Birch but only a 1/4 roundover, so no danger of hitting staples. Also, like Bill says, avoid hitting staples with the router.