is a plexi glass incloseure a good idea?
can you put ports in plexi glass and still make the bass sound good?
Replies (7)
swez on 05/30/2004 20:17:27
Plexiglass is usually too thin for most enclosure applications. Lexan (or acrylic) is better, but more expensive as well. It is a challenge to cut as it melts when the cutting blade gets hot and lots of clean up afterwards. Lubrication of the cutting tool and feed speed of the cutter are all keys to a great result
There are a few makers of sub enclosures that use lexan... but not cheap and good luck getting trade secrets out of them on how they do it.
Here's a link that explains working with Acrylics:
http://www.bcae1.com/plexi.htm
Swez
cplkittle on 05/30/2004 22:34:22
You can get thick plexi (up to 4" thick) but it will cost more than you want to spend, trust me! Almost any solid, close to non porus material will work for a sub enclosure. The main thing to avoid is flexing of the walls. If it is rigid enough not to flex, it will work. You may have to experiment with fillers to get the sound right due to the 'echo' (backwaves and standing waves) factor of plexi.
uochronos on 05/31/2004 02:10:46
a place here in town tap plastic well make boxes out of any opf there amterials plexiglass, lexan, acriylic, etc. i asked them how much to make one big enough for sub application and strong enough not to flex. the cheapest was like 200$ i think.
lessspike on 05/31/2004 23:30:51
ya i know how to handle plexiglass, my dad can get me all the material that i want. I have already experimented on it quite a bit. i have taken three layers heated each side and stuck them all together but i was just wondering if you can put ports into the sub box and still make it sound right. the cost is nothing for me that's why im taking the time to learn about acrylic/plexiglass. maybe with experience i could sell them online??
peace out.
0u1lowwd2 on 06/1/2004 00:49:24
Hello Lessspike
I know something about lexan good stuff we made a robot when i was studing industrial drafting and we made him out of lexan.
Moterised be two mikita drills. we had a guy 225lbs standing on the robot and it moved and the lexan did not break or crack or anything now in Canada 1 sheet 4' by 4' 1/4"thk, was over 400$.
At work we had to make a bullet proof tank made out of Lexan it has to be at least 3/4"thk. So there is an idea. and one strong enclosures but you need $$$$ One thing though if i am not mistaken Wood is able to absorb shock. like a sponge. But I don't think Lexan or Plexiglass can absorb it the same way wood does. And if not can that be more damaging to your Subs.
Best thing I think in this case is to port the plexiglass. so air can go out. I am almost sure that the characteristics of the Subs will not be the same. Look I am not an expert I could be wrong. You know Wood and Acrilic do not have the same Density.
Hoiw about this built a wooden enclosure. then put fiberglass on it in a color you desire. Unless you want the see through thing that bad. Personally When i am done with my system I am going to make a carpet like drap to hide my Subs so that no body knows I have them. unless they hear it.
see ya take care.
0u1lowwd2 on 06/1/2004 00:51:59
oh yeah forgot to tell you if you decide on lexan. cut it witth a saw
but always use coolant as you cut. do not do this alone have someone poor coolent as you cut. Well a CNC cut the Pieces That i had Designed. But Some peices we cut had to be cooled constently because like swez says it melts fast. and looks like crap after.
uochronos on 06/1/2004 02:03:43
there is no reason you could not put a port into a plexiglass box i dont see the confusion? is there a particular obsticale you where worrying about? infact i have seen alpine type r's in plexiglass tubes with ports sounded nice... also goto any Bose audio showcase store and they have demos of there home theater subs in acrylic boxes so you can see the port design and what not. like swez said though the hard part is getting all the tricks odf the trade down. once lexan or plexi glass is bonded it hold pretty well be from my limited usage of it if you dont get a good bond it well just break under preasure.
can you put ports in plexi glass and still make the bass sound good?
Replies (7)
swez on 05/30/2004 20:17:27
Plexiglass is usually too thin for most enclosure applications. Lexan (or acrylic) is better, but more expensive as well. It is a challenge to cut as it melts when the cutting blade gets hot and lots of clean up afterwards. Lubrication of the cutting tool and feed speed of the cutter are all keys to a great result
There are a few makers of sub enclosures that use lexan... but not cheap and good luck getting trade secrets out of them on how they do it.
Here's a link that explains working with Acrylics:
http://www.bcae1.com/plexi.htm
Swez
cplkittle on 05/30/2004 22:34:22
You can get thick plexi (up to 4" thick) but it will cost more than you want to spend, trust me! Almost any solid, close to non porus material will work for a sub enclosure. The main thing to avoid is flexing of the walls. If it is rigid enough not to flex, it will work. You may have to experiment with fillers to get the sound right due to the 'echo' (backwaves and standing waves) factor of plexi.
uochronos on 05/31/2004 02:10:46
a place here in town tap plastic well make boxes out of any opf there amterials plexiglass, lexan, acriylic, etc. i asked them how much to make one big enough for sub application and strong enough not to flex. the cheapest was like 200$ i think.
lessspike on 05/31/2004 23:30:51
ya i know how to handle plexiglass, my dad can get me all the material that i want. I have already experimented on it quite a bit. i have taken three layers heated each side and stuck them all together but i was just wondering if you can put ports into the sub box and still make it sound right. the cost is nothing for me that's why im taking the time to learn about acrylic/plexiglass. maybe with experience i could sell them online??
peace out.
0u1lowwd2 on 06/1/2004 00:49:24
Hello Lessspike
I know something about lexan good stuff we made a robot when i was studing industrial drafting and we made him out of lexan.
Moterised be two mikita drills. we had a guy 225lbs standing on the robot and it moved and the lexan did not break or crack or anything now in Canada 1 sheet 4' by 4' 1/4"thk, was over 400$.
At work we had to make a bullet proof tank made out of Lexan it has to be at least 3/4"thk. So there is an idea. and one strong enclosures but you need $$$$ One thing though if i am not mistaken Wood is able to absorb shock. like a sponge. But I don't think Lexan or Plexiglass can absorb it the same way wood does. And if not can that be more damaging to your Subs.
Best thing I think in this case is to port the plexiglass. so air can go out. I am almost sure that the characteristics of the Subs will not be the same. Look I am not an expert I could be wrong. You know Wood and Acrilic do not have the same Density.
Hoiw about this built a wooden enclosure. then put fiberglass on it in a color you desire. Unless you want the see through thing that bad. Personally When i am done with my system I am going to make a carpet like drap to hide my Subs so that no body knows I have them. unless they hear it.
see ya take care.
0u1lowwd2 on 06/1/2004 00:51:59
oh yeah forgot to tell you if you decide on lexan. cut it witth a saw
but always use coolant as you cut. do not do this alone have someone poor coolent as you cut. Well a CNC cut the Pieces That i had Designed. But Some peices we cut had to be cooled constently because like swez says it melts fast. and looks like crap after.
uochronos on 06/1/2004 02:03:43
there is no reason you could not put a port into a plexiglass box i dont see the confusion? is there a particular obsticale you where worrying about? infact i have seen alpine type r's in plexiglass tubes with ports sounded nice... also goto any Bose audio showcase store and they have demos of there home theater subs in acrylic boxes so you can see the port design and what not. like swez said though the hard part is getting all the tricks odf the trade down. once lexan or plexi glass is bonded it hold pretty well be from my limited usage of it if you dont get a good bond it well just break under preasure.
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