T18 Build

[bcdaffin]

I've been going back and forth all summer about whether or not I should build a sub. Didn't decide YES right away due to budget and the fact that I already have a 10 inch ported sub. Found this site while browsing the Parts Express techtalk forum. After reading around a bit and adding up the estimated cost, I decided I had to make one.

Due to size restraints (a.k.a. tiny ass dorm room), I decided to go with a Tuba 18. I guess I could have went with a different design long style and kept it under my bed.. but I already bought plans and ordered some parts. Plus that would have been a PITA to get up 4 flights of stairs.

I read through the plans as soon as I got them last night, and again today. Tomorrow I get to hunt around for suitable plywood, but won't actually get to make some sawdust until friday. O well. I was just too excited and had to start my build thread now haha.

[shawn_g]

The T18 is a fun build and goes pretty quick once you get past the initial steps.

I'll bet I know what you're going to power it with.

Good luck!

[Tom Smit]

The T18 will give you a lot of clean bass.

[bcdaffin]

Just curious, anyone know how heavy a T18 would be if made of mdf? I only have to move it up 4 flights of stairs twice a year.. wouldn't be too bad

[SirNickity]

Ugh. Not too bad if you're used to car audio subs I guess. After building some plywood subs, my first tapped horn I built with MDF is a lead weight. It's a good thing it rarely moves.

You can certainly do it if you want, but no one that uses Baltic Birch goes back to MDF.

[bcdaffin]

So when I woke up this morning, I checked the weather and saw there was rain from noon til about 4 or 5. Since I have to do all my cutting in our driveway, my dad definitely won't let me do it in the garage, I decided I would just draw the lines. 1 o'clock rolls around, a bit cloudy, but no rain. I check the weather again, it's now a 10% chance for the rest of the day I start to bust out the power tools and make some sawdust, less than an hour later... it starts sprinkling and I have to rush everything back inside that pretty accurately describes how I feel about weather.com right now

[bigjohn1]

I would have to agree with above MDF is heavy and other bad things hate that stuff not sure what its good for. Baltic birch is really nice to work with I must say

I have been working on a dual tub18 will need some handles for sure and it is a little heavy but from what I have heard from it so far with only a 20watt amp hooked to it not bad at all will see how it sounds with a bigger power supplied to it soon.
Need a way to make my pic smaller in size.

[dheafey]

Just curious, anyone know how heavy a T18 would be if made of mdf? I only have to move it up 4 flights of stairs twice a year.. wouldn't be too bad

It might not be that bad weight wise, but cutting the stuff is nasty; the dust is bad news. Even outdoors I'd suggest a decent mask, not one of those cheap paper ones. Google "breathing mdf dust" for some eye opening info.

[bcdaffin]

As I was putting the last side on my tuba today, I realized I hadn't taken a single picture yet... ooops So I took a few then, enjoy.

p.s. is 180lbs of plate weights enough??

[Tom Smit]

Yah, I think 180 lbs is enough! Good build so far. Let us know in the reviews how it sounds.

[shawn_g]

Looks good. How does it sound?

[bcdaffin]

Not sure yet, The glue has only been curing for 12 or so hours. I'm going to wait a bit longer before I test it out. And then its go time But the real test run is this weekend when my parents are out of town

[bcdaffin]

I LOVE IT I'd just like to take a minute to thank Bill, seriously, you rock man.

EDIT: shoulda trimmed the gasket tape around the access panel before posting a pic... o well, its trimmed now
another edit: theres a couple leaks around the access panel that I need to fix, damn

[SirNickity]

Awww! It's so cuuuttee! *squuueeaall*

Ahem. Right then. Good job bro.

[shawn_g]

Nice!

Get the mouth pointed into a corner or at least a wall and it will really come to life.