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Speaker cab build...Wood glue?

M

MikeyN

Active Member
Well, attempting my first DIY speaker build,
Here are the details.... rearloaded fostex FE206e design
About 36 cuts per speaker. I am almost done with the saw and have the pieces laid out. Why do I have the feeling that wood glue alone will not be enough to hold this in place?
I was thinking about screwing the internal pieces in place from the sides (counter sinking the screws and using wood filler to hide the holes). I want to avoid any blemishes and am trying to convince myself that glue alone will hold the assembly.
For others that have built speaker cabinents, is wood glue alone enogh to hold the pieces in place? How long could one expect the glue to hold up before it gives?
I know this is a pretty rudumentary question, but it is my first attempt.
Glue it and clamp it, or screw it ? (still talking about the speaker cabinets)
 
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It depends on the joints you are using. The more surface area the better for the glue to hold on to.

I personally use lap joints glued with bond tite III wood glue and then a 1" brad nail from an air gun every few inches. I've never had any issues this way.

I would not recommend just glue if using butt joints
 
I glue and screw..(just feel better knowing something is holding it together tight)
 
Even boring old white PVA wood glue will happily hold together butt joins with no screws/nails assuming the cuts are precise enough. I make subwoofer/speaker enclosures for a living, and allthough I use screws most of the time, it's for time/speed of assembly reasons and not really for strength, I've removed all the screws from plenty of enclosures in the past with no failures other than my very early enclosures that used liquidnails, it doesn't play nice long term with MDF.

Glue-clamp-enjoy
 
Sure you can just use glue. You don't state what material you're using but MDF and plywood panels can glued and clamped. What is really handy is a small pin nailer to hold all the pieces in place before you get a clamp on them, it avoids movement of the work and allows for repositioning without too much trouble.

Here's a picture of a back loaded horn assembled with glue and clamps. It uses MDF internals, front and back baffles, and Birch plywood sides.

IMG_0144.jpg


BTW, choice of adhesive is pretty important. I haven't found a glue for woodworking that has a better bond than Titebond III. In the case of the Fostex 206e, you shouldn't be developing too much internal cabinet pressure so that is about all you're going to need. If it was a sealed enclosure for a subwoofer or a larger woofer, sealing the cabinet joints, internally, would be a good idea.
 
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My understanding it that in general, where you glue, those joint are stronger than the wood itself. Try it on some scrap wood. Glue 2 pieces together, let them dry for a day or two, then pull them apart. I would bet the wood will give way before the glue (assuming he's using mdf)
 
Smwilli said:
My understanding it that in general, where you glue, those joint are stronger than the wood itself. Try it on some scrap wood. Glue 2 pieces together, let them dry for a day or two, then pull them apart. I would bet the wood will give way before the glue (assuming he's using mdf)
Click to expand...

Yep a good clamped, glue joint in well fitted wood IS stronger than the wood itself.
 
Thanks for all of the replies.
I am using birch plywood - inside and out.

I'm thinking for the internal parts I'll glue and screw.
If the fit is tight, I'll only glue to the sides. It will save me the trouble of having to use the wood filler to fill the screw holes on the exposed part of the speakers.

I bought an extra sheet of the ply just in case anything goes awry (I assume that it will).
By the way, this is a fun build for those who are looking for something. Lots of cuts and planning involved. All right angle cuts and assembly so not too difficult for the newbie.
Any suggestions on how to finish / stain the wood once completed? I've read that the birch plywood doesn't always evenly except some stain.
also, any comments as to the sound of the FE206e? Hope it will be worth all of the effort.....
Mike
 
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