MDF VS Sheet metal
05-07-2006, 09:47 PM
#1
50 Watt CAFz'r
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Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 221
MDF VS Sheet metal
Well, here is the deal. In my car, the back of my box this year is going to be sheet metal (car's firewall)... It's a fiero, don't ask why 
How does sheet metal compare to MDF in a sub enclosure.. The metal is .05" thick, so I think that's 16 gauge... It's a flat section about 18" X 24".. Should I beef it up with fiberglass, add some ribs ect?
How does sheet metal compare to MDF in a sub enclosure.. The metal is .05" thick, so I think that's 16 gauge... It's a flat section about 18" X 24".. Should I beef it up with fiberglass, add some ribs ect?
05-10-2006, 09:57 PM
#3
50 Watt CAFz'r
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Join Date: Aug 2003
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The sides and front of the box are going to be MDF.. The firewall that is basically flat makes up the rear of the box. It is 16ga sheet metal.. There is also a cutout in the firewall for the magnet clearance that will be fiberglassed..
I'm wondering if I should reinforce the rest of the sheet metal on the back of the box to prevent it from flexing, or would it be ok?
I'm wondering if I should reinforce the rest of the sheet metal on the back of the box to prevent it from flexing, or would it be ok?
05-11-2006, 07:47 PM
#4
Begs the question.....if you're going to use the metal for the back of the enclosure, how are you planning to attach the rest of it to the metal? At the very least, some deadening on it would help. Personally I would be doing that and laying down a few layers of glass across it to form the back of the enclosure as well. If you do something like that, is there somewhere in that area you could put a small bolt to hold the enclosure to the firewall??
My $.02 worth....
My $.02 worth....
05-19-2006, 09:25 AM
#5
50 Watt CAFz'r
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Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 221
The sides of the box will be wood and will be fiberglassed to the back of the box. .. I plan on adding a bit of glass to the back of the box too, and maybe some bracing.
If I have enough room, the firewall is getting cut out and rewelded out about 2-3" to gain depth..
If I have enough room, the firewall is getting cut out and rewelded out about 2-3" to gain depth..
05-31-2006, 12:54 AM
#7
0 Watt CAFz'r
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 24
dynamat makes a product called tacmat that you should have a look at, it like a lightweight foam rubber about 1/4 thick. they use it in fighter jets to keep them quiet, and we have used it to build boxes very similiar to what you are doing.you just use spray adhesive to attach it to the metal and then you put resin over top of it.
