THT-LP plans question

[whipdancer]

I've started cutting my auraco and I'm not sure I understand the plans correctly.

I've cut 1 piece that is 71.5" x 18". When I look at the sketchup file, 2 sides (left & right) are 18", and the other 2 sides (top & bottom) are 24". Am I measuring that correctly - or should all sides be 18" (creating a square cross-section).

Just to be even more specific - if I were building this as a box, I could use 4 rectangular pieces of wood that are 72x18 (and that would just leave the ends open). Is that correct?

[Bill Fitzmaurice]

I've started cutting my auraco and I'm not sure I understand the plans correctly.

I've cut 1 piece that is 71.5" x 18". When I look at the sketchup file, 2 sides (left & right) are 18", and the other 2 sides (top & bottom) are 24". Am I measuring that correctly - or should all sides be 18" (creating a square cross-section).

please read these instructions completely through at least twice before you make with the sawdust...The cab may be built in various widths. A fifteen loaded cab may be built from 18 to 36 inches wide, using 17 to 35 inch wide panels

THTLP plans, page 1.

[whipdancer]

I have read the plans at least 4 times. There is an inference of what width to use but it is contradicted at least once. Basically, I'm looking for words to the effect of "pick a width, all panels will now be that width - the sketchup model is not to scale".

That is why I am asking for a clarification.

On page 2, 4th paragraph - "Your Sketchup model is an invaluable tool... The construction figures shown in these plans came from the exact same model you received."

Which is the source of my confusion - when viewing the sketchup model, I see 2 different width panels.

It is not until page 6 where the statement is made, "Width dimension X is the same for all panels".

However, because of statements earlier in the plans, I was questioning my understanding. That is why I am looking for a clarification. If it will help, I can quote everywhere else in the plans where the width is mentioned.

So, now can I get an answer to my question?

[Ken Lustgarten]

My plans predate the THT-LP option and just include the regular THT. However all of the subs have the same construction method. First you cut the 2 sides according to the plans which is what you have done already. Second is to pick a cabinet width, wider is better. Third subtract an inch (2 X 1/2" sides) and cut the remaining panels to that width. All of the panels that make up the horn path go in between the 2 sides that you already cut. They are all the same width within the range specified so that you can build the cab to a size that will fit in the available space.

[Bill Fitzmaurice]

when viewing the sketchup model, I see 2 different width panels.

You do not. The panels in the model are all 23 inches wide. The sides are 18 inches high. They're not panels, and are never referred to as panels in the plans.

[whipdancer]

You do not. The panels in the model are all 23 inches wide. The sides are 18 inches high. They're not panels, and are never referred to as panels in the plans.

There is no FAQ or definitions included with this, so until the difference between "panel" and "side" is explained, how am I supposed to know that a side is not made up of a panel - and that your choice of words is supposed to convey more than orientation? I mean, how do I know (when looking at the pictures on your website or the sketchup model) which is a side and which is a panel. When I look at the diagrams - I don't see any labeling indicating which width is a side and which is a panel.

As I stated earlier - and is the source of my desire for clarification - it is inferred, but not explicitly stated. I can deduce that information by piecing together all of the information in the plans. But why leave it to chance? So that you can say "I told you so"? Or so that you can continue the brusque "It's in the plans" response?

I think a parts diagram would have cleared it up for me. That may be a bit tedious, so perhaps some labels in the sketchup model? Something that points out - your THT-LP will be 18" high, 72" long and X" wide. The width is what you get to plan to best suit your needs.

Personally, I don't like to infer, assume, glean, or deduce from a set of instructions. I want to understand the information with no question in my head about that understanding. I don't appreciate the brusqueness when I'm quite simply asking a question about something I paid for. Maybe a simple addition to the plans or the sketchup for the pedantic types like myself could prevent the wasting of your time in the future.

[subharmonic]

I understand it is a bit confusing until you get the project going but in the versions of the THTLP plans I have there is a direct reference to the panels on page 1, including how to determine width. And on page 4 it refers to exactly what the side it. If you are looking at sketchup the orientation upon launch is the front is facing you, the top is up, the bottom is down, the back is away from you, and the sides are on the side.

Not sure how much clearer it can get since all these questions are fairly easily cross referenced between the sketchup and the plans. Beside Bill putting a sketchup for each possible width, which is not the point of the models, assembly is.

[whipdancer]

I understand it is a bit confusing until you get the project going...

Which is an issue. I'm not supposed to be cutting anything until I understand everything.

I'm obviously dense, as I look at this thing as a big box, with 4 long sides and 2 short sides, and a bunch of panels inside. I didn't see anything to contradict that picture in my head. I've read the plans a bunch. I see where panels are mentioned on page 1 along with possible widths. Page 4 specifically says "Cut out two sides. On one draw two joint sets per layout diagram 1".

I just didn't know what 2 sides I was cutting out. I could see that one of them was 71.5" x 18". I didn't know what the other one was. So I looked at the sketchup model. I got more confused. On the model I saw 2 sides, one 18", the other 23". The fact that Sides and Panels are not related was not clear when I first read the plans.

Hence my original question.

I'm not asking for a sketchup of each possible width. That would be stupid. What I was asking for was a clarification on which part was which. There are NO labels (other than measurements and order indicators). There are diagrams and paragraphs next to each other. There are paragraphs that refer to panels and sides. Then on page 7 there is a diagram of 2 boards attached to each other. They look almost identical to me. One has lines on it, the other one doesn't. More importantly though, is what words are used. Page 6 says "The ten panels are the same width..." - what ten panels? I thought this thing had 6, not 10. Oh, I get it, that includes the panels on the inside and the panels on the outside.

I thought I understood the plans, but since there was a couple of points regarding width that I was unsure about, I wanted to be sure. I realize now that all I was missing the definition of the terms being used. In my previous experience building something, panels was word used to describe a broad flat surface and side was used to describe a boundary. I'm sorry I carried those definitions over to this project, because obviously that was wrong.

[jcmbowman]

Alright - let me try to simplify things a bit...


In all of bill's Folded horn subs, the plans follow a similar style:

There are two sides, which are identical in size and are placed opposite each other in the finished product. One side is the first piece, that virtually all other pieces are attached to. The other side is the last piece to go on.

The remaining pieces (called panels) each have pre-determined lengths, but as a whole are all cut to the same width. Each design has a specified range of acceptable widths depending on your choice of driver(s). This is one of the reasons that a table saw is a great aid in the build, because you can rip all your panels to the exact same width at the beginning and then just trim them to length as you install them.

You will also need some braces, which are custom cut pieces of wood that are glued between the panels as you construct the subwoofer that increase the structural integrity of the design as well as keeping the panels from flexing in use.


The plans detail the process of marking up the first side with the position of all the panels so that you have a positioning guide as you go along. If you can get that far it should be fairly obvious where you're going from there.



Sorry for any confusion - it gets to be old hat once you built a handful of folded horn subs that this is how they go together, but we sometimes forget how confusing it can be for someone who has little to no experience with these kinds of designs.

[Jon Barnhardt]

I found the easiest way was to start with the plans and understand fully and then introduce the sketchup model.

In fact most builds I don't even consult the sketch up, which I know is frowned upon, but I haven't needed it yet. (But my head wraps around 3 dimensional objects pretty easily. Probably due to being a programmer in a past life and dealing with multi dimensional arrays daily...)

[whipdancer]

Alright - let me try to simplify things a bit...


In all of bill's Folded horn subs, the plans follow a similar style:

There are two sides, which are identical in size and are placed opposite each other in the finished product. One side is the first piece, that virtually all other pieces are attached to. The other side is the last piece to go on.

The remaining pieces (called panels) each have pre-determined lengths, but as a whole are all cut to the same width. Each design has a specified range of acceptable widths depending on your choice of driver(s). This is one of the reasons that a table saw is a great aid in the build, because you can rip all your panels to the exact same width at the beginning and then just trim them to length as you install them.

You will also need some braces, which are custom cut pieces of wood that are glued between the panels as you construct the subwoofer that increase the structural integrity of the design as well as keeping the panels from flexing in use.


The plans detail the process of marking up the first side with the position of all the panels so that you have a positioning guide as you go along. If you can get that far it should be fairly obvious where you're going from there.



Sorry for any confusion - it gets to be old hat once you built a handful of folded horn subs that this is how they go together, but we sometimes forget how confusing it can be for someone who has little to no experience with these kinds of designs.

Confirmed and clear. Thank you!

[Gauss]

Wow, JCBowman, nice explanation.

[Tom Smit]

I don't have the plans for the THTLP so I don't know if this applies, or just to other subs.

I just thought I would add something more. Hopefully it will make thing a little more clear.

All of the internal panels are to be cut to the same width. However, the length of some panels are shorter than the width. Don't let that part fool you.

It may help to mark the dimensions of each onto each panel as you cut them.

Print out a copy of the plan, put it in a binder for in the shop. Make notes in the binder to help as you understand.

[DJPhatman]

I don't have the plans for the THTLP

But, you are an authorized builder! You should have all the plans, and all of them should be completely up-to-date!

[Harley]

But, you are an authorized builder! You should have all the plans, and all of them should be completely up-to-date!

We tend to check for the latest only when we have a confirmed build or at least a serious quote to do, otherwise that would mean we'd have to pester Bill every couple of days for any updates, little tweaks and corrections.

So we don't necessarily need to have them all instantly on hand really. We do get notified of major product model changes and introductions of course.