I am in the process of building a new box in woodshop, and one of the things I want to do is put a plexyglass window in the top so you can see the basket of the sub. The only thing is I dont know how thick to go or how to put it on so that it is air tight and wont break or flex. I was thinking at least 1/2 inch...to big or to small? I thought about just cutting a hole in the top of the box, then getting a piece of plexyglass that was larger than the hole and screwing it down to the box and sealing around the outside of it. Any other ideas? And Howabout pics? anyone have a box like I'm building?

 

take a routher and rout ( I assumer your using 3/4 MDF) about 1/2" down and then get a 1/2" thich piece of glass to put there. use clear silicone and your done :-)

 

Damn, that was a fast reply, lol. That sounds better than what I was thinkin. Where would I put the silacone at? and ya, Im using 3/4 inch MDF.

*edit* sorry, the "where would I put the silacone at?" part was a brainfart, I know where it would go, lol. Sorry.

 

if I were you I'd also think about cutting a little box out of the side, make it outta plexi, and put ina 3in neon so you cant see the "light box" but you'll see the glow of your neon. just another thought

 

ya, I had played with that idea, but I was gonna do one of the 12" tubes behind the big window on top for a cool glow since you wont be able to see the sides of the box exept through the top window. Prolly blue. or I could paint the inside w/ some neon colors and do a blacklight that would be cool.

 

well what kinda subs you running and stuff? remember theres gonna be pressure insid eyour box. so that is why you have to keep the neon out of the box. sometimes you can get away w/ it others not. :-)

 

One Type-R 4-ohm model. It will be ran by either a JBL or Audiobahn amp, which you have seen in my other post. I didn't even think about the pressure in the box. I thought your idea was a 3" tube INSIDE the box so the glow would come out the sides, lol. Stupid me

 

I took apart a bandpass box with plexiglass in it, and the glass was screwed down. Router the inside edge so the thickness of the glass is flush with the box, and give yourself a good wide mounting table around all edges. When you're screwing in plexiglass, DRILL it first!! One screw about every 3 inches... there were seriously a lot of screws in it. As long as you drill each hole and don't overtorque the screws, you'll have a good strong window.

 

Do you recall how wide the mounting table on that bandpass you took apart?

 

I think about a 1/2 to 3/4 inch; enough to keep the drill holes away from the edge of the plexiglass and still have a firm hold on the MDF.

 

Coo, sounds like a plan, I'll post pics when I'm done. (could be a while, only have woodshop tuesdays and thursdays.) BUT it will be done! .

 

no I meant like a plexi-box INSIDE the sub box so the glow will transmit into the box.

 

oooooohhhhhh.......I get it!! (I think) Man, I am so bad at this stuff without a pic...So say this is a picture from the front of the box without the front on. The little box in the right is your plexyglass box with the 3"neon in it. Is this correct?

 

ya something to that effect, you may have to mess around with the location it is to get the right "glow" but yes that is what I was talking about.

 

Here's a close up of the plexi window on one of my old boxes. I used (2) 1/2" thick pieces of MDF and just cut the whole on the bottom piece bigger. Then cut the plexi (1/2" thick). to fit the larger bottom hole, and you'll have a nice finish.

 

Or add some neon for effect:

 

There's one thing I was gonna suggest, but you sorta beat me to it.

Use 2 smaller pieces instead of 1 large one. The smaller area of the 2 pieces will be more rigid than one large one which will mean less flex. Less flex = MO POWER!!!! Well actually sound, but you get the idea.

 

How did you do that w/ the blue lights rezn8r??

 

9" neon tubes under the top plate of the box, to the side of the plexi windows. To get it to really shine like that, there was mirror laid on the bottom of the box to reflect the neon, and the whole inside of the box was painted with speckle paint to reflect more light.

 

I think I will stick w/ the first Idea for the plexi window. I don't think it will flex much if I put a 1" rout all the way around and screw every 3" and have it siliconed down. Or will it? It's only one 12" Type-R on either a JBL 1200.1 or Audiobahn A1300HCQ, whichever I choose.

 

If you use 1/2" plexi, and rout it down to be flush with the top of the box, that leaves only 1/4" of MDF for the plexi to sit on. That's scary.

 

I'm kinda confused how you did yours. Sorry, I need pictures to explain stuff. I think I have the basic Idea though, I might have to try it. You took 2 pieces of 1/2 inch MDF, cut a hole, say 4x4 inch in the top one, then you cut a 5x5 inch hole in the bottom one and cut the plexy 5x5 inches. Screw the plexy to the top piece put silicone around the edges, and wala. Is this correct?

 

Congratulations! You win!

 

Also, the box I'm building will be the "ultimate sub box" so the top stretches clear across the top. Does that mean I will have to have (2) 1/2 thick tops. That's another sheet of MDF cuz the rest of the box is 3/4".

 

Thanx, I love winning :lala: :lala:

 

Yep. Unfortunately, it'll be a different sheet. It should only be around $15 though.

 

Well poopy. Oh well, school's payin for it.

 

doi you have any pics of that box(close up) of what that looks like on the inside daytime and at night? itpute out alot of light i like it

 

Heres mine, i bought it tho

 

The first picture I posted is the only close-up I have. You can see the broken mirror glued to the bottom, and one of the structural braces to the left. That big grey thing is a port.

 

Had a change in plans...and due to the new shape of my box a plexyglass window would be pointless, ssssooooo....none of our ideas will be put to use on this box, sorry guys, but thanx for all the help! I'll post pics when I'm done.

 

This is my box. I have two 12" RF HE2's and a RF 600a4 amp. Under the amp is a 1 farad RF cap and a dist block. I have a Pioneer 6000 headunit running it all. This winter I'm giving the box to my brother for his Firebird and I'm building a new one for my Z. I'm going to mount the amp and another amp for the dash and sailpanel speakers in the rear seat back. The plexy-glass is 1/4" and I used a dremel to cut the slots into it.

 

Does the plexy affect the sound at all being on top of the subs like that?

Brian

 

I wouldn't think it would make that much difference, those slots look pretty big.

 

It affects the sound a little but the plexy glass is mainly there to protect the subs when I use the t-top bag. And it adds a nice custom touch to the box.

 

Router is a good Idea. I just used L brackets for mine. Easy and cheap. + mine kinda comes out and faces an angle.

 

Hurray for sponge bob...

i liek the plexiglass on top of the subs idea, thats cool, and better then using the grilles, which i planned on. what did you use to raise the plexiglass, and how thick was it? awesome idea..

 

hamspiced
I used 1/4 inch plexyglass. It is held up by 8 pieces of 1/2 inch (I think) pvc pipe cut 2 inches long. I then put a 3 inch bolt through the plexy and pipe into a nut that is on the bottom side of the box lid. I also put a washer between the bolt and plexy to keep from scratching it when removing or installing the bolts. The glass is strong enough for me to use as a handle when installing or removing the whole box.