mklett33

It;s coming to life! I think its cool how similar to my 3D rendering that it is looking so far! This is just a quick progress update! But I am loving the shape and would love to know what you think!

Well I decided to go a different route on the templates over the amps. I busted out my Engineering skills and modeled this up on the computer. Check out my "3d amp rack" and let me know what you think.

UGH I misspelled "Torture" in the topic, wish I could fix it! Hello everyone. Over the weekend I did a review of techflex. For those of you who don't know techflex is an expandable sleeving that can be used to protect and group wiring. It comes in a variety of colors and sizes and can really help to clean up an install and make things look nice and clean. But does it protect the wire as well? Have a look at the video for the tests!

Thanks! Let me know what you think when you have more time to watch! Thank you glad you think so!

If you enjoyed this thread please let me know your thoughts!

Exactly! The rivets only work on thin material, the tool actually comes with a little chart that shows what thickness you can use for each particular size.

Reserved

Cont from above. ¼” MDF or Hardboard (Left) and 1/2" MDF (Right): Where to find: Big Box Hardware Stores, Lumber yards Starting Cost: Depends on Size and date, material price changes If you have a particular curve in your material that you cannot merely copy from an object you found you can use the 1/4" thin hardboard or mdf to smoothly cut the shape with your jigsaw, make sure you take the time to sand the surface you cut smooth so that the transition is perfect and has no rises. A favorite among car audio enthusiasts the 1/2" MDF is a MUST for template production, MDF is void free and will allow for perfect surfaces when using various router steps. Body Filler: Where to find: Online, Big Box Hardware Stores, Auto Supply, Auto Body Stores Starting Cost: 15 Also known as “bondo” body filler is a must for making negative plugs throughout the process. I personally recommend “Rage Gold” by Evercoat due to its awesome working period and amazing sanding qualities. Painters tape: Where to find: Online, Big Box Hardware Stores, Art Supply Starting Cost: 3 An easily found item, we will be using the painters tape to protect our panels on steps that require the use of body filler. Misc: Other things you need that don’t need explaining: Scissors, marker, ruler. The Videos! You are going to want to crack open a cold one and start to free your mind! Get those creative juices flowing! Follow the steps outlined in these videos to construct the templates! Episode 1 Episode 2 Episode 3 Episode 4 With the templates made you can utilize them within your builds. Stay tuned for future steps outlining using mold fabric to mount them within a fiberglass surface, wrapping techniques for covering with material, as well as other techniques.

Pardon the dust, under construction Hey guys! Have you ever seen panels in installs like this and wondered how in the world did they get those shapes? Well with a series of router tips and tricks, you can start with literally any shape drawn on paper (shown on left), and transform it into a perfectly fabricated wooden template that you can then copy several times into future installs. (Shown on right). Take your installs to the next level with these shaped panels that you can use for hiding amps and crossovers, trimming around speakers, making amazing port shapes, the possibilities are endless! Let's get down to the nitty gritty: What you Need: Safety First! Make sure that you have eye protection, hearing protection, and a dust mask for that harmful MDF dust! Tools: Router and Router Table: Where to find: Online, Big Box Hardware Stores Starting Cost: $100 (Don’t let the cost deter you, you can easily make this back doing installs for friends and family) The workhorse of the operation the router and router table combo will allow you to use various “bits” to create different features that lead to the finalized template. Important features to look for: Variable Speed Compatible with .5" and .25" shanks Bit Height adjust from top of table Router Bits (List shows in picture left to right) Flush Trim Router Bit: Where to find: Online, Big Box Hardware Stores Starting Cost: 15 The flush trim bit will allow you to make copies of shapes and transfer them from one panel to another with the upper bearing riding against the edge of the “master” template you are copying. Spiral trim bits are better but are more expensive. Rabbeting Router Bit: Where to find: Online, Big Box Hardware Stores Starting Cost: 25 The rabbeting router bit allows you to make a 90 degree notch out of the template. This can be used in conjunction with the flush trim bit to enlarge or reduce the size of an insert. Watch the videos to understand this technique. It is in your best interest to purchase one of these with a set of bearings, allowing adjust-ability of the distance that the but will cut into your work piece. Roundover / Chamfer Router Bits: Where to find: Online, Big Box Hardware Stores Starting Cost: 15 each Though these bits are not required for template production they are very appealing when creating a finalized template as they can create a smooth rounded edge or an interesting bevel. When used correctly both can add an extra touch of appeal to a template. Jig Saw: Where to find: Online, Big Box Hardware Stores Starting Cost: 30 A more basic tool, there is probably not much info needed here. This will be used to rough cut your template shapes in order to minimize the work that your router must do to cut into the wood. Drill and Drill Bits: Where to find: Online, Big Box Hardware Stores Starting Cost: 30 Again, likely that you have an understanding of these tools. We will be using them to add a hole to start our jig saw when making “holes” on the inside of templates. Materials “Template Tape”: Where to find: Online, Big Box Hardware Stores, Art supply stores Starting Cost: 3 Also known as double sided foam tape this tape will allow you to hold work pieces together while performing steps with the router table. It can also be used to allow for material “gap” when wrapping various pieces with suede, vinyl, carpet, etc. Round and Straight Shaped Objects: Where to find: Everywhere! Starting Cost: FREE! In order to get parts of your shape to be perfectly smooth you are going to need existing surfaces to create them from. Start collecting large metal washers, speaker ring cut outs, straight edges from MDF etc!

Thanks! Haha thanks man, glad you like it so far.

Alright so I got the amp rack supports complete. This little assembly is strong. And I must say adding the threaded rivets is amazing for mounting the base. To see what I am talking about watch this: Here's some pics:

Some more updates, started making my frame work for my amp rack. Mounting pads: Mocked up Painted with flexstone. Heres my templates I will be using. See the video for how to make them... Base board: In the trunk: With the inserts so you get the idea...

This thing is nice!

Nice find! Do you find them to be durable?

Great write up man, just a suggestion, at the top you may want to add a little paragraph about the advantages of staining the wood. By showing people the positives of staining they will be more likely to follow this how to and utilize your advice.

Working on modeling up my amp rack in SolidWorks. Trying to decide if the amps should be angled to one another, or if they should just be parallel to one another.

Finished making my amp cover template! Here are some pics: If you would like to see how I did it watch here:

Week 3: Ryobi Router Table

Here is the next video.

Ahh, I see what you are saying, that is a good point. I haven't really noticed any considerable problems with movement from piece to piece while using the router. I want a spiral bit anyhow, should cut through a lot faster and more smoothly. I will have to pick up some of that double sided duct tape, thanks for the help! Thats cool that you got to learn from those guys, you had a great opportunity that few have.

Got my template transfered to a smaller piece! Now to do some more routering to get the smaller piece converted to a female shape so I can cut out the inside of the larger panel.

I get foam tape because I also use it to do gapping between my pieces for accounting for the space that vinyl and carpet takes up... you'll see...

Picking up some more foam tape tonight so I can continue making my templates.

Hey guys, I am officially starting another build. Rather than post only pictures I am going to take you guys along for the ride with video updates! Enjoy! Phase 1 is making my amplifier rack. Starting with making some insert pieces to hide the amps.

When I bought my BL it took forever. Worth it though.