Few tool questions?

[Oak244]

Ok I am working on my install and have run into a few "I don't know's?" I did some searching and answered a few I think, but here goes.

I was wondering what to use so sand my fiberglass projects. I think I answered it with a palm sander. Just not sure which one.

Nextwhat tool can I get or use to cust some of the metal out of my door? Fitting a 8" driver is a spot where a speaker never existed in the first place is taking some work.

Next, I have a router, but have no idea how to make perfect circles with it? Also haw can I make the offset in the baffle so that the speaker sits flush with the baffle and not on top of it?

I thinks thats all I can think of this far in the install.

OH yeah, I was wondering what exactly am I looking for in bondo when I go to buy it? This is for a fiberglass project of course. And where locally might I get it? I have all the resin, catilyst, fleece, and fiberglass I will need.

Thanks all!

[02bluesuperroo]

This will help with some of your questions.

http://www.diymobileaudio.com/forum/showthread.php?t=7312

[khail19]

Nextwhat tool can I get or use to cust some of the metal out of my door? Fitting a 8" driver is a spot where a speaker never existed in the first place is taking some work.

Next, I have a router, but have no idea how to make perfect circles with it? Also haw can I make the offset in the baffle so that the speaker sits flush with the baffle and not on top of it?


For cutting door panels, I used a jigsaw with a metal cutting blade (fine teeth). Worked great for me. If you have a compressor you can get an air powered body saw, those work nice as well.

To cut circles with a router you'll need to make a jig or buy one. Many like the Jasper jigs available from Parts Express, I just made my own though, it 's not as nice as the Jasper but it works. To flush a driver, you'll need a rabbeting bit for the router. Or you can just cut a larger circle out of some 1/2" MDF, a bit larger than the outside diameter of the speaker. Then make that into a piece the same size of your baffle and glue it to the front of the box.

[chad]

Pneumatic tools ROCK! A compress or is good money spent. For cuttng metal I use Pneumatic Nibbers or a body saw. A D/A sander works well for sanding but for the finish sanding i either use my hand or a Black & Decker Power Mouse. It has an odd shape head like an Iron and allows you to get into the crannies. It's too light duty to do the heavy stuff though. I love the Mouse for drywall work too, it's shape and the fact that it's not an ass kicker lends nicely for sanding mud. The big mothers take off too much too fast.

I cut concentric circles by lining up the 2 peices of wood, driling the center guide thru both, then seperating the wood and cutting 2 circles of different diameter, one for the driver mounting the other to go around the outside. I always double baffle so this makes it easier for me.

Standard issue bondo works fine, it can be found at home improvement centers or places like Autozone, etc.

Chad

[Vestax]

Air tools would be a nice investment if you plan to do this on multiple projects.

An alternative is to use power tools, they work just as fine. Your local HD will have them. http://www.homedepot.com/prel80/HDUS/EN_US/diy_main/pg_diy.jsp?BV_SessionID=@@@@0973090547.1166116818@ @@@&BV_EngineID=ccgiaddjjdmddimcgelceffdfgidgin.0&CNTTYPE=PROD_META&CNTKEY=misc/searchResults.jsp&MID=9876&N=2984+3966&pos=n24

For cutting sheet metal and fiberglass, like said above, pneumatic tools would be great but you can always get tin snips for hand tools. Tin snips come in 3, left, right, and straight cuts. http://www.homedepot.com/prel80/HDUS/EN_US/diy_main/pg_diy.jsp?CNTTYPE=PROD_META&CNTKEY=misc%2fsearchResults.jsp&BV_SessionID=@@@@1257872860.1166117007@@@@&BV_EngineID=ccgladdjjdmddmecgelceffdfgidgln.0&MID=9876

For circles for a router, definitely a jig, but you always fabricate one. Ask Mr Marv on here, he's got a few great ideas. www.partsexpress.com will have circle jigs as well as sears.

For fillers, most will work fine but I tend to avoid Bondo the brand, since it's really hard to work with. You can get your hands on Rage Gold at www.selectproducts.com which is one of the nicest filler to work with. I also suggest getting spot putty if you plan to paint or vinyl. It's a little softer than bondo and definitely easier to sand.

[Oak244]

For fillers, most will work fine but I tend to avoid Bondo the brand, since it's really hard to work with. You can get your hands on Rage Gold at www.selectproducts.com which is one of the nicest filler to work with. I also suggest getting spot putty if you plan to paint or vinyl. It's a little softer than bondo and definitely easier to sand.[/QUOTE]

Ok cool. Yes I plan to vinyl them when finished. So do I get Rage Gold and Spot Putty or just Spot Putty?

As for tools, I think I have the basic tools to do this job. This car of mine is cheap and I am considering this my practice vehicle. I do have access to a compressor, as my Dad and I remodel homes and got one for the nail and staple guns.

I am interviewing tomorrow moring for a CAD position at a local Lumber Company. If I get the job, I am sure I can get some deals on tools. My brother is starting a job at Lowes in a week, so he could get stuff there too at a discount I am sure. Needless to say, I understand when doing DIY projects of any kind, its so much easier if you have the right tools. While my brother and I are working with Lumber Companies, I think I will slowly work on getting all the must have and nice to have power tools.

Once the car is done, I would really like to build my own high end home theater speakers. I have a full Axiom and VMPS set now, so I could practice with different stuff, and still maintain a basic system.

[Vestax]

Ok cool. Yes I plan to vinyl them when finished. So do I get Rage Gold and Spot Putty or just Spot Putty?


Both. Filler alone is for large areas, to fill, shape, and smooth uneven surfaces. They are tougher and harder to sand. I always try to make sure my mold is perfect as possible, then only fill once.

One important advice, you want to avoid high low spots when vinyling. Unless you have a steamer and have patience with a heat gun, vinyl will not work with high low spots since it'll just crumple up and cutting seams is just plain ugly.

With the filler, it'll help you get that even plane. Since not everyone will mix their filler's perfectly, you'll find that you'll get pinholes or craters when you start sanding them. This is where the putty comes in. The putty will cover your pinholes and craters pretty well, and will become easy to sand without the use of a power or pneumatic tool. ;)