Marine ply

[scoobysmiff]

Has anyone built an enclosure out of Marine Ply. A few years ago when I worked in the ICE industry it was said that Marine Ply was the best product to use for building an enclosure for subwoofers.

It is apparently a lot stronger for the same weight and size as MDF with less resonance as well.

I never got the chance to test this claim, but I am interested in the veiws of those on this forum.

Anyone with experience in this?

 

[Member 639844]

Interesting, how does it work out cost wise. If its expensive I bet its use is a little rare.

 

[eviljohn2]

Good quality PA equipment is also generally made of marine ply so there could certainly be something in this.

 

[scoobysmiff]

Interesting, how does it work out cost wise. If its expensive I bet its use is a little rare.

I'm not sure exactly how much it costs, a small search should sort this one out but I would imagine that it cost a bit more than you would expect, but if it's a case of you get what you pay for, it may make the difference to some of the more eccentric builds on this forum

Just a thought?

 

[leedude03]

There are a couple of advantages of using marine ply instead of mdf, but they only really apply to pa gear.
It is a lot more resistant to tempreature changes and damp/wet conditions,as mdf if subjected to damp or wetness swells and peels even if you use the green moisture resistant type.
also ply is a lot less hazardous to work with, and mostly easier to work with more forgiving and easier to fix.
Sound quality wise there are some who prefer mdf and others prefer ply.
Ply is the most expensive of the two.

 

[deansocial]

marine ply is 3x the price of mdf if you want 1 that is suitable for a paint finish etc

 

[eviljohn2]

Good point, most PA is just covered in a (very) hard wearing textured paint as sound quality and weight are the prime considerations. I doubt many people hang domestic subwoofers as part of an array that often.

 

[scoobysmiff]

marine ply is 3x the price of mdf if you want 1 that is suitable for a paint finish etc

Where's best to buy it from then Dean, can you get it?

 

[deansocial]

i would buy it from arnold lavers or harlows of derby

 

[deansocial]

and a quick look on google and you have robbins in bristol who claim to have the widest range of marine ply altho i would recommend birch ply whish is best for a paint finish but it is not a marine ply i dont think

 

[scoobysmiff]

and a quick look on google and you have robbins in bristol who claim to have the widest range of marine ply altho i would recommend birch ply whish is best for a paint finish but it is not a marine ply i dont think

Yeah I saw them, I think I will pop and see them for a chat and see how much it is for a decent size sheet?

 

[mike.hutch]

What you want is 13 laminate birch ply. Its used in the PA/pro audio world as its very stiff and hard wearing, it can be varnished for a nice finish as well if needed.

Its definitely not easier to work with than MDF though, MDF can be filled if you make a mistake with the router, also ply splinters if you use a router or saw against the grain.

They have a really good range at Avon Plywood in Bristol.

Also they can cut it to size for you accurate to 1mm, on a huge computer controlled bench, not like B&Q where you are relying on the skill of the man who happens to be on the saw. They do edge banding and CNC routing as well, great if you want to make a sub out of veneered MDF.

 

[scoobysmiff]

What you want is 13 laminate birch ply. Its used in the PA/pro audio world as its very stiff and hard wearing, it can be varnished for a nice finish as well if needed.

Its definitely not easier to work with than MDF though, MDF can be filled if you make a mistake with the router, also ply splinters if you use a router or saw against the grain.

They have a really good range at Avon Plywood in Bristol.

Also they can cut it to size for you accurate to 1mm, on a huge computer controlled bench, not like B&Q where you are relying on the skill of the man who happens to be on the saw. They do edge banding and CNC routing as well, great if you want to make a sub out of veneered MDF.

Quality link Mike, thanks, I will be sure to go see them when I am building my enclosure