When it comes to building speakers, the sky’s the limit. You can use a variety of different materials, find creative shapes and come up with innovative designs that put your personality on display. But when you’re looking on how to Veneer MDF Speakers still sounds great, MDF speakers are a good option. Though a little more difficult to work with than some other types of wood, MDF is one of the cheapest building materials out there and can be made into just about any shape imaginable. Here are some tools, techniques and tips for veneering MDF speakers!
Related Article: How to Apply Wood Veneer to MDF Speakers
What is veneering?
The word veneer refers to a thin sheet of wood that is cut and ground flat. You can use veneers in all sorts of projects, like furniture, cabinets and even speakers. Veneering is the process of gluing a thin layer of wood onto the surface of another larger piece.
What are Speaker Enclosures?
Speaker enclosures are a surface where sound waves are allowed to escape. This is the surface your speaker will be mounted on. It can be made out of just about anything so long as there are holes for the sound waves to escape from.
The Different Types of Veneers
So, you’ve decided to veneer your speakers with a solid wood veneer, but what are the different types?
There are many different types of wood veneers to choose from. If you want a more natural look, then you could go with African Mahogany. But if you want the brightest sounding speakers possible, then White Oak is the way to go.
When selecting your veneer type, think about how it will affect the sound quality and durability of your project.
How to select the best veneer MDF speakers enclosure
Now that you know how to make your own speaker enclosure, it’s time to select the best type of veneer. After you decide on the type of veneer for your speakers, it’s time to start building!
What are MDF speakers?
MDF, or Medium Density Fiberboard, is a type of building material that is used to make speakers. This type of speaker is made from a sheet of particle board with one side coated in a thin layer of wood veneer. In order to get a smooth surface on the MDF (which will be the front) you need to apply veneering.
benefit of veneering speakers
There are many benefits to veneering speakers. For one, it can be done without any major investments in new equipment or special skills. You just need some patience and the right tools and you’ll be on your way to customizing your speakers.
But there are also many other benefits too. It’s easy and inexpensive, so you can make mistakes without breaking the bank. If you don’t like the way it turns out, just sand off the veneer and try again!
Plus, building speakers can be a great DIY project for kids of all ages–it’s something they can do with their family and friends that doesn’t require any special knowledge or experience. It’s also a good opportunity for them to learn about different types of materials while having fun!
Drying the panels
The first step to building your speakers is to dry your panels. You will need:
– A table saw with a crosscut blade
– A miter saw or circular saw with a crosscut blade
You want to cut the MDF so that it is as flat as possible, preferably without any gaps on the edges. Depending on how accurate you want to be, you might want to use a jointer and/or a planer. Then, clamp two pieces of MDF together at 90 degrees and start cutting them into .5″ strips using a crosscut blade. With these strips, you can veneer each side of the speakers. Once complete, let them air dry for about three days before proceeding!
How to make a base for a speaker
One of the first things you will need to do is cut the MDF into the base shape. For most speakers, this is a rectangle with a slight curve on the front and back. You can use a speed square to get it as close to accurate as possible. Next, drill holes for screws so that you can attach it to your workbench or other surface.
Finishing the speakers
Once you’ve built your MDF speakers, the next step is finishing them. The best way to do this is to put a thin layer of veneer on all sides of the front and back panels. You’ll want to use a generous amount of glue (either PVA or Titebond III) and then smooth it out with a brush. Then, you can attach your veneer sheet to the MDF using contact cement.
You can choose from a variety of different kinds of veneers, but remember that we recommend having at least two layers of wood for an extra thickness and more durability. For example, if you are using walnut wood for one layer and cherry wood for another, the walnut will be on top and the cherry will be on the bottom.
We recommend having at least two layers of wood so that they don’t peel off as easily. The first layer should always be lighter than the second layer because it will have to cover up any discolorations after running through sandpaper.
If you want to add even more protection, consider applying some paste wax after drying your pieces so they don’t dry out and get scratched up!
How to keep your speakers safe
If you’re going to be using your speakers in a space where they are likely to be bumped, it is important to protect them. A good way to do this is by adding corner guards, so that the speaker doesn’t get scratched or dented in a fall. You can also use felt or foam pads on the bottoms of legs to prevent scratching or marring from contact with a hard surface.
How to protect your speaker from damage
MDF speakers are durable, but they’re not invincible. That’s why it’s important to take precautions before you begin building your speakers to ensure that your speaker will survive the construction process and last for a long time. This is especially important if you plan on painting or varnishing your speakers after the veneer has been applied.
*Sand all of the unfinished surfaces of the MDF with a 120 grit sandpaper to remove any sharp edges or splinters that could snag and tear your veneing paper.
*Apply 3-4 coats of water-based paint or varnish to seal the MDF and make it less likely to stain or warp over time.
*Stack your MDF pieces so that they are as close together as possible without scraping against each other. Use a clamp to hold them in place while they dry so that you don’t have any warped edges when you’re done.
FAQs
MDF, or medium-density fiberboard, is a strong, light and inexpensive wood that’s easy to work with. It’s often used as an alternative to plywood because it can be shaped more easily and has less warping tendencies than plywood, making it perfect for building speakers.
First, sand the board until it’s nice and smooth by using 100 grit sandpaper and a drywall sander. Then cut your veneing paper into pieces large enough to cover one side of your speaker panel (about 30 inches) then start applying glue in a thin layer using a paint brush or roller. After each piece of veneing paper is glued down, use 80 grit sandpaper to go over the surface of the board to make sure all bubbles are removed from the glue. Once all pieces are glued down, go over the surface again with 100 grit sandpaper just to make sure everything is nice and smooth. Let the glue dry overnight before moving on to painting and assembling your speaker!
No, you don’t have to. You can just use a veneer that matches the surface of your MDF.
Solid wood veneers are less expensive and provide a warmer tone, while layered veneers are more expensive but have more depth in the sound.
Conclusion
You’ve come this far and you’ve already done an amazing job. Now it’s time to put the finishing touches on your veneered speakers.
First, you’ll want to give your speakers a nice, durable coating. If it’s a high gloss that you want, use automotive paint or lacquer. For low gloss, use a polyurethane finish.
Next, you should use felt or cork to cover the top and bottom of your speakers. This will keep them from scratching and will also help keep them on the stand.
Finally, you should use a few strips of felt or cork to cover the edges of the face of your speaker. This will help protect it from nicks and scratches.
Your speakers are now complete! And because you took the time to care for them, they’ll last for a lifetime.
