grafx

??????

Justins86bird

Fiberglass. Its lighter and can me molded to all kinds of odd shapes.

CAMp3RO

both will work for you. bonus of fiberglass is it is lightweight and can be molded to anything. however, it is far more expensive than mdf. i'm building a ported box right now and i'm under $40 for materials. in comparison, my fiberglass kickpanels cost $50+ and much smaller in size.

Captain C

Where can I check out some fiberglass kick panels? I have a pair of RM-6 Boston accoustic 6 1/2" speakers that I need to mount up front somewhere. Those 4 X 6 Alpine plates in the dash aren't going to cut it!!!! I also need a 10" subwoofer box for the trunk area. Where can I find something that looks good?????

Jim85IROC

iTrader: (2)

there are advantages/disadvantages to each.

Fiberglass isn't nearly as easy to work with. It's a bit more expensive. It also winds up being almost as heavy in order to make it as resonant-resistant as MDF. But, it uses space more efficiently, and is a great media to work with for custom shapes.

miked

MDF is easier to work with and cheaper. You can pound out an MDF box in very little time. With glass you need to wait for it to cure, you have to mask everything off, use a mold release, etc......So if all you need is something simple go MDF. If you can't get the space you need with an MDF box then a fiberglass one could maybe squeak out a little more.

When you are ready to make things more complicated then look into fiberglass. I really doubt you would notice a sound quality or quantity difference between a properly constructed enclosure using either.

One thing to consider is a combination of the two. Build the bottom and sides out of MDF and then use fiberglass to do the top. You could get a nice curved surface that could be painted or covered with something else.

grafx

Where can I get some Mold release agent

Gambit69

Personally, I would use both. Use the MDF for the base of the enclosure, then mold the top with fiberglass. At least that is what I am going to do and it is what most expert installers do. They make the frame out of MDF and then use fiberglass mat and resin to cover it up. Fiberglass can be sanded down and painted to high gloss that looks awesome.

2.73's Suck

curious, what is MDF?, I thought you guys were talking about particleboard but someone said "pound it out" its something you can make custom boxes with? sorry about my ignorance but I havent read up on my stereo stuff in a few years. I want to make something for my 2 tens but I was going to use wood.

irocbarry

it Medium Density Fiberboard, a highley compacted board made out of it hink wood fiber (shredded wood basically) its extremey dense so it has a lot better sound quality then particle board. you buy it in 4x8 sheets and make the box just like you would with particle board

grafx

pound it out was just a figure of speech

2.73's Suck

oh ok, thanks for the info, can you get it at home depot or something or do you have to get it from a stereo store like tweeter? the box is next after dynamat and a carpet.

89blackGTA

Ya you can get it at Home Depot or lowes and most hardware stores that sell wood.

Brian

CAMp3RO

remember to wear a respirator if you're cutting mdf. some of the ingredients used to cure it are very dangerous to your health (and there is a lot of dust kicked up when you use a table saw)

2.73's Suck

thanks and btw I live in south windsor, right over the river, check out this thread and Ill be at the pike tonite, keep an eye on this thread if you want to meet up sometime
https://www.thirdgen.org/techbb2/sho...s+lets+meet+up

mschwitz78

glass will be lighter than mdf if you build it right. Mold release wax can be found at home depot or menards, but I prefer to use tin foil and duct tape. Easier to use, takes a little longer, but pulls right out and keeps your car clean while glassing.

aaron7

iTrader: (7)

On the topic of respirators... if you are 'glassing... do it in a well ventillated area! That stuff really messes you up (don't get any ideas lol )

Barry85Iroc

MDF will be much cheaper and easier to build. Just seal all the seams with silicone, and you'll be OK.

shookumz11

#1 are you buliding it 2 how much time do you have 3 money 4 time.

bolth are easy i'm an audoo installer and also do custom boxes
glass takes more time and the better you want the looks the more money (pro paint job) mdf is cheeper but verry bulky.
but bolth the same weight when done (aprox) if you need help with either post or e-mail

shookumz11@aol.com

Brian

redbird_400

<font color=red> YES! I havnt even said anything about that... should have.. definate MUST! And if your sanding fiberglass, definally get a very good respirator from home depot. Definally need some kinda dust mask because that fiberglass in your lungs.. man it can screw you up, not a high, maybe a cough, choke, gag, die.

Zerstörer

Good advice!