building a 1x15 cab

[mellowgerman]

I was just wondering, anyone know how big the hole for the speaker has to be? Since the speaker is 15" total, the hole has to be a little smaller. Would 14" be a safe bet or is there a universal size?

 

[heath_r_91]

It really depends on the speaker, I always just play it safe and have everything else assembled and cut out except the baffle for that exact reason.

Also, be sure to cut on the inside if your line, you can always cut out more! I learned that lesson the hard way...

 

[mellowgerman]

yeah you're probably right. thanks for responding

 

[doctec]

It really depends on the speaker, I always just play it safe and have everything else assembled and cut out except the baffle for that exact reason.

Also, be sure to cut on the inside if your line, you can always cut out more! I learned that lesson the hard way...

+1

What I do is make sort of a compass by drilling two small holes in a piece of thin metal. The spacing between the two holes will be the radius of the cutout. Then I put a small nail through one hole into the center of where the speaker goes on the baffle, and and a pencil in the other hole to draw the circle as I rotate the "compass".

After I "think" I have the spacing on the two holes right, I use the compass to mark up a piece of heavy cardboard, cut out the hole and make sure it fits the speaker correctly. If it doesn't fit correctly, I drill another hole in the compass and keep trying until I get things right. Be sure to mark which hole it the correct one

Doing it this way avoids any measurement problems that might occur between the time you measure the speaker and actually cut the hole (been there-done that It's quicker than trying to rework the baffle after you've made the cut.

 

[mellowgerman]

thanks doctec. good idea

 

[mfgl]

most car audio speakers come with a stencil you can cut out of the box, I assume cab speakers do not?

 

[heath_r_91]

correct, it would be nice if they did though!

 

[fdeck]

Note that the data sheets for Eminence speakers include mounting dimensions.

 

[mfgl]

Thats kinda lame, it would cost them about ...nothing to put the pattern on the box.

 

[IanStephenson]

I just put the speaker face down on the board, and traced round it, then cut 1/4" (or whatever appears appropriate) inside the line. Cutting a bit conservative, and enlarge if necessary.

 

[MuzikMan]

Note that the data sheets for Eminence speakers include mounting dimensions.

+1

 

[Basslice]

+1

What I do is make sort of a compass by drilling two small holes in a piece of thin metal. The spacing between the two holes will be the radius of the cutout. Then I put a small nail through one hole into the center of where the speaker goes on the baffle, and and a pencil in the other hole to draw the circle as I rotate the "compass".

I read a similar neat trick about actually cutting the hole using a rotary router. Cut a metal strip and pin one end to the center and the other end around the router bit.

I am planning on making a 1X15 also and will probably try that method.