Plywood choices for 1x12 speaker cabs

jtcnj

jtcnj

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I will be building another 1x12 cab, or possible abandoning the mdf cabs I have now that measure 16 1/2" x 16 1/2" x 8" - cut from a sub woofer project I built oh, around 1991.

I am not sure if I will cover these with fabric or stain or paint them.
Not sure how to finish the edges if stained.

Also, I am not sure if this, or the typical cabinet plywood can utilize box joints.

I plan on copying the size from other known cabs from Marshall, Orange, etc. or whatever.
Have not decided open or closed back yet.

Home Depot carries this 3/4" Birch cabinet plywood - but the birch is really the decorative exterior and the interior plys are poplar.
Is this a good choice, and why?

www.homedepot.com

Columbia Forest Products 3/4 in. x 4 ft. x 8 ft. PureBond Birch Plywood 165921 - The Home Depot

Employ this Project Panels Whole Piece Birch Domestic Plywood for cabinets, furniture and other woodworking projects. Easy to use.
www.homedepot.com
 
jtcnj said:
I will be building another 1x12 cab, or possible abandoning the mdf cabs I have now that measure 16 1/2" x 16 1/2" x 8" - cut from a sub woofer project I built oh, around 1991.

I am not sure if I will cover these with fabric or stain or paint them.
Not sure how to finish the edges if stained.

Also, I am not sure if this, or the typical cabinet plywood can utilize box joints.

I plan on copying the size from other known cabs from Marshall, Orange, etc. or whatever.
Have not decided open or closed back yet.

Home Depot carries this 3/4" Birch cabinet plywood - but the birch is really the decorative exterior and the interior plys are poplar.
Is this a good choice, and why?

www.homedepot.com

Columbia Forest Products 3/4 in. x 4 ft. x 8 ft. PureBond Birch Plywood 165921 - The Home Depot

Employ this Project Panels Whole Piece Birch Domestic Plywood for cabinets, furniture and other woodworking projects. Easy to use.
www.homedepot.com
Click to expand...
Read the questions on that link. Lots of problems with voids which would eventually cause rattles in a speaker cab. For cabs you want as many plys as possible and guaranteed void free.
 
I'd skip that. It's grade C. You want grade A to avoid repaired knots etc. Plus it's only 7 ply. I think most of the spendy cabs are around 13 ply.
 
jtcnj said:
I will be building another 1x12 cab, or possible abandoning the mdf cabs I have now that measure 16 1/2" x 16 1/2" x 8" - cut from a sub woofer project I built oh, around 1991.

I am not sure if I will cover these with fabric or stain or paint them.
Not sure how to finish the edges if stained.

Also, I am not sure if this, or the typical cabinet plywood can utilize box joints.

I plan on copying the size from other known cabs from Marshall, Orange, etc. or whatever.
Have not decided open or closed back yet.

Home Depot carries this 3/4" Birch cabinet plywood - but the birch is really the decorative exterior and the interior plys are poplar.
Is this a good choice, and why?

www.homedepot.com

Columbia Forest Products 3/4 in. x 4 ft. x 8 ft. PureBond Birch Plywood 165921 - The Home Depot

Employ this Project Panels Whole Piece Birch Domestic Plywood for cabinets, furniture and other woodworking projects. Easy to use.
www.homedepot.com
Click to expand...
The EV TL 806 cabinet is considered the world standard.
You can find plans in many places.
Closed back / ported means better bass response....
Gapless aircraft grade or marine grade birch plywood. Ideal, but more expensive.
Finish grade AA plywood will work fine...even AB is OK as long as you face the ugly side "in."
Screenshot_2021-02-08 Speaker construction plans for an EV TL806 cabinet - ElectroVoice_TL806 ...png
 
Check out Rockler Woodworking. They carry 13 ply 3/4 inch Baltic Birch in 12" x 30" and 24" x 30". There's a store near me. I'm going to check it out for building another 412 b cab.
 
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