New cab build thread

Jacew

Jacew

New member
I started building this today. It's going to be a "Fender-style" vertical 2x12 plank cab with speakers set asymmetrically.

Starting out:
IMG_20180616_163424.jpg

Baffle glued up:
IMG_20180616_175018.jpg

I only have four clamps so need to glue parts together one at a time... Well at least I have time to evaluate the plans thorough while working on it.

Current plan for cab size are roughly 60 cm outside width (~24 inch), 80 cm height (~32 inch) and 40 cm depht (~16).
 
Re: New cab build thread

Sides are glued up and baffle planed. I run out of pegs and glue so top and bottom are still waiting.

20180619_212733.jpg

Some measurements. Baffle got a bit of warp when gluing, but strenghtening beams should take care of that. Next to make a cardboard model for the speaker so I can set the screwholes right and make sure everything is in place.

Then to add the beams. Planned to put one 2x1 plank on it's side the middle and 2x2 for the sides, that would bind it together.

EDIt: 2x1, not 3x1...
 
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Re: New cab build thread

The cab build has moved slowly but steadily: All the sides are planed, baffle built (still needs some finishing touches...) and sides glued up:

IMG_20180703_224630.jpg

Plan is to put baffle + one side together using box model inside to get it set square. Then put top and bottom beams for the back + other side together at once. And finish by putting on top and bottom planes.
 
Re: New cab build thread

There is a little problem with the front cloth. I have 50x100 cm Fender style cloth I picked up couple of years back, which is not enough through the baffle.

Since I would still like to use it, I thought about cutting it half, and adding parallel bar between speakers + ones on the sides. Just possibly need to make it a bit asymmetrical as well...
 
Re: New cab build thread

Holidays we're busy and couldn't get much done at the workshop. I did got the baffle finished though. Last week I got the structure finished as well. After the picture I already got top and bottom on as well.

20180725_194255.jpg

I got a bit logical error at the front. Sides we're supposed to have half an inch edge around it, but I apparently forgot to count the thickness of the baffle plane itself and it came up on level.

I was thinking to add half an inch bar to run around it, so I can get proper countersunk for the cloth structure...
 
Re: New cab build thread

Cab starts to look rather neat. I leveled all the sides today and added bars for the grill cloth countersunk.

20180806_203106.jpg

Since Celestions have the screwholes stupid close to the edge of speaker, I made those metal plates to reduce burden and add durability for the pine edge.

Next to hone everything up and paint it black, then need to figure out how to make tolex corners. I have open front metal pieces for corners, but need to find a way to get the tolex neat on the bevel as well.... Any ideas are welcome...
 
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Re: New cab build thread

This does not look that hard or expensive. I know a guy who does this, I need to seriously look into getting a custom cab made.
 
Re: New cab build thread

Aceman said:
This does not look that hard or expensive. I know a guy who does this, I need to seriously look into getting a custom cab made.
Click to expand...

Well, it's not. Though it does take time...

I've been building this onwards whenever I've got some time. I spraypainted the baffle black, so it doesn't show up behind grill cloth. And lightly threw it on sides as well, so no wood showing up in case of scars or between tolex edges :)

Grill is finished, and today got the plywood back panel ready as well. Just needs finishing touches. Forgot to take pictures but I'll post next week.
 
Re: New cab build thread

Here is the wiring I designed for this:

2x12_speaker_wiring.PNG

Accidentally bought two SPDT switches instead of DPDT, but after a while of thinking it turned out perfect. Easy control for every combination by simply two switches.
 
Re: New cab build thread

Aceman said:
This does not look that hard or expensive. I know a guy who does this, I need to seriously look into getting a custom cab made.
Click to expand...

It's extremely cheap and easy, IF you have the woodworking tools on hand

The single difficulty is cutting a halfdecent speaker hole, and there are a few ways about it....cleanest one being a router jig
 
Re: New cab build thread

Adieu said:
It's extremely cheap and easy, IF you have the woodworking tools on hand

The single difficulty is cutting a halfdecent speaker hole, and there are a few ways about it....cleanest one being a router jig
Click to expand...

Yea. You do want few basic tools for it.

I used a free hand keyhole saw and belt sander to make the holes. No problem with a little care.

Wouldn't say it's "extremely" cheap or easy though.

Grill cloth, tolex, little pieces like jacks, corner plates etc.. , glues, screws, sanding papers all together have cost about 100$. I had all the wood I needed at hand, procured and produced from own forest, so it was really cheap (maybe 20$ expense at max), but you quickly get 50-70$ more expense from those otherwise.
 
Re: New cab build thread

Jacew said:
Yea. You do want few basic tools for it.

I used a free hand keyhole saw and belt sander to make the holes. No problem with a little care.

Wouldn't say it's "extremely" cheap or easy though.

Grill cloth, tolex, little pieces like jacks, corner plates etc.. , glues, screws, sanding papers all together have cost about 100$. I had all the wood I needed at hand, procured and produced from own forest, so it was really cheap (maybe 20$ expense at max), but you quickly get 50-70$ more expense from those otherwise.
Click to expand...

Grill cloth, tolex, corner plates = nonessential design choices

You can get about two 2x12 cabs out of a full sheet of plywood. Screws cost next to nothing when you buy them by the pound. Glue? Pennies.

The real expense is the first time youre loading up on power tools, clamps, miter saws, etc etc
 
Re: New cab build thread

Adieu said:
Grill cloth, tolex, corner plates = nonessential design choices

You can get about two 2x12 cabs out of a full sheet of plywood. Screws cost next to nothing when you buy them by the pound. Glue? Pennies.

The real expense is the first time youre loading up on power tools, clamps, miter saws, etc etc
Click to expand...

Wel I don't know where you'd source it, but I've spent over liter of glue in that: 0,5x3 = 12€ = 15$

Two lenghts of screws, lets say kilo and 0,25: 1,25x6 = 8€ = 10$

Feet we're around 5 $ etc, etc...

It's surprising how quickly things add up.

About "unessential design choices": If you want to do it as cheaply as possible, why not. Since I'm anyway spending quite a time with it I wanted to get it as fine in the end as I'd could.
 
Re: New cab build thread

Jacew said:
Wel I don't know where you'd source it, but I've spent over liter of glue in that: 0,5x3 = 12€ = 15$

Two lenghts of screws, lets say kilo and 0,25: 1,25x6 = 8€ = 10$

Feet we're around 5 $ etc, etc...

It's surprising how quickly things add up.

About "unessential design choices": If you want to do it as cheaply as possible, why not. Since I'm anyway spending quite a time with it I wanted to get it as fine in the end as I'd could.
Click to expand...

What on Earth dd you do with nearly THREE POUNDS OF SCREWS?????
 
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