T18 Newbie first build

[But it Hertz]

Hello World!

Been lurking for a while. Love this forum.

Recently built my first speaker enclosure.

It has been a fascinating journey. Loving every minute of it.

Awaiting delivery of a miniDSP so I can dial it in. I have been using it in my office for a couple of days now and I'm super stoked on how it sounds.

You'll notice I figured out half way through the build not to mess with the glue before it dries!

Also I didn't use the recommended plywood. Long story short I got dicked by a local supplier and by the time I was done arguing I decided to just get to Home Depot (vomits) just so I could get on and build something as a proof of concept.

It isn't finished externally yet and I need to relieve the access panel to make it fit right. I totally derped on that. But it came out OK.

I am starting with BFM's smallest. Just to see what it can do. Learn as much as I can and move up from here.

So yeah. Hope you like the pictures. Looking forward to interacting and contributing more in the future.

[shawn_g]

Nice build. The T18 is my favorite home sub for music. Enjoy it!

[Tom Smit]

Nice build!

The T18 will put out a lot more bass, and sound better at the same time, than the boom-box cooler with the 6x9s.

[Bas Gooiker]

Great looking build, lots of pictures.

[But it Hertz]

The T18 will put out a lot more bass, and sound better at the same time, than the boom-box cooler with the 6x9s.

Ha ha. I promise you it sounds worse than it looks!

[But it Hertz]

Finally got it painted and finished.

[Gregory East]

Nice work.

That plywood appears to be veneered. But you knew. No dropping it then!

[But it Hertz]

Yeah - its from Home Depot (Uugh) like I said in the OP.

My local supplier really messed me around and I had taken a day off work to start the build. I just wanted to get on and build something.

This was my practice... learned to use my new tools (I'm no wood worker).

The next one will use the recommended materials.

[bassmonster]

Nice clean build, especially for a newbie as you mention in the title.

[But it Hertz]

Nice clean build, especially for a newbie as you mention in the title.

Thanks! I appreciate the compliment

I learned so much during this build and only bled once!!

[biggerrigger]

Very clean build and nice pictures to document the build. Good work man!

[Frederic Gelinas]

Nice! This build look like the builds I do now. Nothing close to what I was building 3 years ago, let alone my first one!

Now, go build a Table Tuba.

[67baja]

Nice build. I see you do the braces the same way I do by gluing/screwing to the new panel first, then installing said panel to the cab.

[But it Hertz]

Thanks all!

I see you do the braces the same way I do by gluing/screwing to the new panel first, then installing said panel to the cab.

Yes, I think this makes a good strong brace... it certainly stays put as the glue dries. I leave all my screws in as well.

You'll see in some pictures I tried covering the screw heads with glue (I counter sink all the screws), but as it expands it kind of goes funky on top of the screw so I stopped doing that after a few panels.

Seeing as we are talking about it... what does everyone else think about doing the braces this way? Is there a better way?

As an aside I was really surprised how much time the braces take to get right! They almost take longer than the main panels!!

[Grant Bunter]

Great result, looking good...

I can't say for a T18, but in general with braces, I have found it's simply a matter of taking your time.

I've done it both ways, slipping them in after new panel, and attaching to panel first. Neither was any easier than the other to me, but attaching to the panel gets better squeeze out and less mess. That's not an issue inside the cab. I haven't tried dado's