First Build : Plywood Sourcing Challenges

[Bill Fitzmaurice]

Get one or two of these: https://www.harborfreight.com/250-lb-ca ... 1901739435

[Bruce Weldy]

Get one or two of these: https://www.harborfreight.com/250-lb-ca ... 1901739435

Or just build you one of these....

Probably the best thing I've ever built. Same height as my table saw, so it serves as an out feed when I need it. But, mostly - it's where I've built hundreds of cables, read the mail, etc. It's my home away from home in the garage.

[Mr T]

Get one or two of these: https://www.harborfreight.com/250-lb-ca ... 1901739435

Or just build you one of these....

Workbench5 10-03.jpg

Probably the best thing I've ever built. Same height as my table saw, so it serves as an out feed when I need it. But, mostly - it's where I've built hundreds of cables, read the mail, etc. It's my home away from home in the garage.

Crazy how many uses they end up filling- but it is a another project before the sub build for him! Now, making one while listening to teeth rattling bass? well that's just fine....

[Bruce Weldy]

Crazy how many uses they end up filling- but it is a another project before the sub build for him! Now, making one while listening to teeth rattling bass? well that's just fine....

I built it years ago, but even then I wondered why I had taken so long to do it. I can break down big sheets with a circular saw on it or use it as an outfeed for the table saw. I put power at both ends and there's a cutout on one end so that the table saw will butt right up against it. It has a fiberboard removable top that can be flipped or replaced.....something I thought I would have to do at some point, but never have.

My recliner, my office, and my workbench is where you'll find me almost all of my waking moments.

[Mr T]

Was in New Braunfels over the weekend- man you guys are building EVERYWHERE.

[Bruce Weldy]

Was in New Braunfels over the weekend- man you guys are building EVERYWHERE.

Yeah....it's a bit of a problem. We have severe water issues here, but no one seems to want to address it. We've pretty much been in a drought for several years.

Population when I was growing up in the 60s was about 10-12,000. We're over 122k now and that's just in the city. The county has exploded too.

Still a good place to live. Grew up here and never left. Married a local and we and our kids all went to the same high school. Even had some of the same teachers.

[Mr T]

Was in New Braunfels over the weekend- man you guys are building EVERYWHERE.

Yeah....it's a bit of a problem. We have severe water issues here, but no one seems to want to address it. We've pretty much been in a drought for several years.

Population when I was growing up in the 60s was about 10-12,000. We're over 122k now and that's just in the city. The county has exploded too.

Still a good place to live. Grew up here and never left. Married a local and we and our kids all went to the same high school. Even had some of the same teachers.

Went to check out the Guad and scratch a fly fishing itch (mistake). We're Weatherford area, its blowing up here as well. no one discusses the water either and just saw a blurb about data centers here. urrrgh.

[Bruce Weldy]

Went to check out the Guad and scratch a fly fishing itch (mistake).

I've never understood fly fishing. No matter how many flies you catch, it just ain't enough for a meal.

[Joman116]

Was in New Braunfels over the weekend- man you guys are building EVERYWHERE.

Yeah....it's a bit of a problem. We have severe water issues here, but no one seems to want to address it. We've pretty much been in a drought for several years.

Population when I was growing up in the 60s was about 10-12,000. We're over 122k now and that's just in the city. The county has exploded too.

Still a good place to live. Grew up here and never left. Married a local and we and our kids all went to the same high school. Even had some of the same teachers.

Went to check out the Guad and scratch a fly fishing itch (mistake). We're Weatherford area, its blowing up here as well. no one discusses the water either and just saw a blurb about data centers here. urrrgh.

I'm about an hour East of you. Moved here a decade ago and even from there population exploded. Home prices skyrocketed.

Planning to execute my first BFM build in the coming months..likely will be a Tuba60. Any words of wisdown aside from read the plans 10x? Any tools that were very helpful in your experience?

[Mr T]

Yeah....it's a bit of a problem. We have severe water issues here, but no one seems to want to address it. We've pretty much been in a drought for several years.

Population when I was growing up in the 60s was about 10-12,000. We're over 122k now and that's just in the city. The county has exploded too.

Still a good place to live. Grew up here and never left. Married a local and we and our kids all went to the same high school. Even had some of the same teachers.

Went to check out the Guad and scratch a fly fishing itch (mistake). We're Weatherford area, its blowing up here as well. no one discusses the water either and just saw a blurb about data centers here. urrrgh.

I'm about an hour East of you. Moved here a decade ago and even from there population exploded. Home prices skyrocketed.

Planning to execute my first BFM build in the coming months..likely will be a Tuba60. Any words of wisdown aside from read the plans 10x? Any tools that were very helpful in your experience?

Honestly, the plans were pretty good, some notes.
1. Use fresh PL1. I had a couple tubes laying around cool, dry and out of sun for about 8-12 months. did not set up worth a hill of beans, dont know why but had to do a lot of cleaning and a restart!
2. Bill is right on the amount of glue to use- it doesn't take much and squeeze out is a pita to clean; not a big deal on interior work, but when you get to the exposed portions it will depending on what you plan to finish it with.
3. Make a lot of 90 Degree jigs with some scrap ply, use them to practice the glue game.
4. Blue tape on them works better than wax paper for removal.
5. If you plan to use screws to secure panels during the glue (I did) predrill the holes using a #6 countersink bit, and a #6x5/8 angle head wood screw fits great.
6. Take your time and enjoy it. once its built you're gonna say holy S%^$ that is big and heavy.
7. Mounting the driver, the plans call for backing blocks with wood screws. Its tough to get in there, so do what the plans say- predrill and get them started. I went overkill on mine, and used walnut blocks in place of the plywood, then drilled and tapped with machine threads. That let me use socket head hex bolts to secure it, and it is not coming out.

[Joman116]

Went to check out the Guad and scratch a fly fishing itch (mistake). We're Weatherford area, its blowing up here as well. no one discusses the water either and just saw a blurb about data centers here. urrrgh.

I'm about an hour East of you. Moved here a decade ago and even from there population exploded. Home prices skyrocketed.

Planning to execute my first BFM build in the coming months..likely will be a Tuba60. Any words of wisdown aside from read the plans 10x? Any tools that were very helpful in your experience?

Honestly, the plans were pretty good, some notes.
1. Use fresh PL1. I had a couple tubes laying around cool, dry and out of sun for about 8-12 months. did not set up worth a hill of beans, dont know why but had to do a lot of cleaning and a restart!
2. Bill is right on the amount of glue to use- it doesn't take much and squeeze out is a pita to clean; not a big deal on interior work, but when you get to the exposed portions it will depending on what you plan to finish it with.
3. Make a lot of 90 Degree jigs with some scrap ply, use them to practice the glue game.
4. Blue tape on them works better than wax paper for removal.
5. If you plan to use screws to secure panels during the glue (I did) predrill the holes using a #6 countersink bit, and a #6x5/8 angle head wood screw fits great.
6. Take your time and enjoy it. once its built you're gonna say holy S%^$ that is big and heavy.
7. Mounting the driver, the plans call for backing blocks with wood screws. Its tough to get in there, so do what the plans say- predrill and get them started. I went overkill on mine, and used walnut blocks in place of the plywood, then drilled and tapped with machine threads. That let me use socket head hex bolts to secure it, and it is not coming out.

Thanks for the info !

1. Are you talking about a fresh unopened tube instead of a partially opened one that may be months old? I have 3 tubes unopened.
2. Yes I read about that in the plan.."don't overdo it". I plan on doing a duratex equivalent as the final finish,
3. Yes sir! I need to get some scrap wood..
4. Acknowledged!
5. I plan on using 18gauge 1.5" brads. From what I read, it saves alot of time.
6. For sure, Will slowly chip away so frustration doesnt get the best of me. I want it of solid quality and craftsmanship without cutting corners. I think a 20" Tuba 60 with a lab12 may weigh..90lb?
7. I purchased my hardware from Leland over at speakerhardware.com...he had reccomended RECEX screws as the best solution. Eliminates need for washers...yes plan on following the plans

[Mr T]

I'm about an hour East of you. Moved here a decade ago and even from there population exploded. Home prices skyrocketed.

Planning to execute my first BFM build in the coming months..likely will be a Tuba60. Any words of wisdown aside from read the plans 10x? Any tools that were very helpful in your experience?

Honestly, the plans were pretty good, some notes.
1. Use fresh PL1. I had a couple tubes laying around cool, dry and out of sun for about 8-12 months. did not set up worth a hill of beans, dont know why but had to do a lot of cleaning and a restart!
2. Bill is right on the amount of glue to use- it doesn't take much and squeeze out is a pita to clean; not a big deal on interior work, but when you get to the exposed portions it will depending on what you plan to finish it with.
3. Make a lot of 90 Degree jigs with some scrap ply, use them to practice the glue game.
4. Blue tape on them works better than wax paper for removal.
5. If you plan to use screws to secure panels during the glue (I did) predrill the holes using a #6 countersink bit, and a #6x5/8 angle head wood screw fits great.
6. Take your time and enjoy it. once its built you're gonna say holy S%^$ that is big and heavy.
7. Mounting the driver, the plans call for backing blocks with wood screws. Its tough to get in there, so do what the plans say- predrill and get them started. I went overkill on mine, and used walnut blocks in place of the plywood, then drilled and tapped with machine threads. That let me use socket head hex bolts to secure it, and it is not coming out.

Thanks for the info !

1. Are you talking about a fresh unopened tube instead of a partially opened one that may be months old? I have 3 tubes unopened.
2. Yes I read about that in the plan.."don't overdo it". I plan on doing a duratex equivalent as the final finish,
3. Yes sir! I need to get some scrap wood..
4. Acknowledged!
5. I plan on using 18gauge 1.5" brads. From what I read, it saves alot of time.
6. For sure, Will slowly chip away so frustration doesnt get the best of me. I want it of solid quality and craftsmanship without cutting corners. I think a 20" Tuba 60 with a lab12 may weigh..90lb?
7. I purchased my hardware from Leland over at speakerhardware.com...he had reccomended RECEX screws as the best solution. Eliminates need for washers...yes plan on following the plans

1. mine were unopened, perhaps a year old They "should" have been fine!
2. perfect- carry on.
3. You'll have plenty of it after cutting the panels, and its the stuff to use for the jigs with everything being the same dimension.
4.
5. if you go with brads using a nail gun, be careful how you orient the tool, 1.5 inches into a .5 wide is a chance for blowout on the sides. Screws for me worked well since I could remove after glue up and reuse for the next panel(s)
6. it's funny- the first few days you're thinking wow this is stupid, then you go wow its big, then you go Dang- that is cool.
7. Perfect.