CnC workshop in Wellington (For MDF)

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kiwijunglist

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#173481 25-May-2015 11:30

Hi

Building DIY subwoofer enclosures. I don't have home workshop, have limited tools and I live in an apartment.

I want to pay some in wellington to CnC cut 3x 1220x2440 MDF 18mm panels.
Probable have 2x panels CnC cut, and then 1x panel cut with table saw.
I can probably supply digital cut sheet for this, but I wouldn't be able to program the cnc routers path etc.

Can anyone recommend a workshop for this?

Also: Can anyone recommend a paint shop, was thinking of getting the boxes painted. They will be 100x50x50 cm and there will be two of them.

Thanks
Mike

HTPC / Home automation (home assistant) enthusiast.

Disrespective

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#1311340 25-May-2015 14:34

Talk to the Wellington Maker Space http://wellingtonmakerspace.com/contact/

kiwijunglist

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#1319215 8-Jun-2015 10:48

Thanks. I'll get in touch with them.

Who do you think i should get in touch with four finishing the cabinets?

I'm wondering if getting a wood laminate might be better than painting?

Was wondering if i should get a kitchen joiner to either finish them or assemble them. The other idea i had is a vinyl wrap.

It's hard to know what to do because i have limited experience and want it done right and done once.

HTPC / Home automation (home assistant) enthusiast.

linw

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#1319291 8-Jun-2015 11:47

Way back in the 'olden days' I used to make speaker cabinets and used mahogany veneered chipboard (can you still get it??). Looked pretty good polyurethaned up. It's probably an option, anyway.

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#1319331 8-Jun-2015 12:37

So you made it in mdf then put veener chipboard ontop of the mdf?

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#1319345 8-Jun-2015 12:56

You can get chipboard (lower quality MDF) with a pre-applied melamine or vinyl covering. It's hard to work with if you don't know what you're doing (you essentially have to overcut then trim with a router to get a nice sharp edge), but the coating is much harder than any kind of painted solution (i.e. much more scratch resistant). Because the wood doesn't have to be machined to a smooth finish, it's also a lot lighter than MDF, which is really heavy. I've only seen it readily available in white, but if you went to a kitchen supplier you can order sheets in any of their usual kitchen colours.

You could also stick with the MDF and get it sprayed with an enamel or (possibly) urethane based product. Plenty of variety in colours and finishes. Any competent commercial painter would be fine for this, otherwise you could also try your panelbeater.

Finally, if you wanted a wood finish, you can get veneered finishes, but you could also think about using plywood. It's available in the same sizes as MDF and is lighter and easier to work with. You can get regular pine from any hardware store, but if you're Wellington based you should also pop in to City Timbers on Thorndon Quay. They can provide marine grade and dress finishes in other types of timber - I got some very nice maple-faced stuff from them. Although it isn't easy to work with as pine - pro tip: put one finish of penetrating oil on *before* you start cutting to keep the splintering down. Give it a good sand with a random orbital sander, and a few coats of a penetrating oil like Cabots (goes on with a rag) and you will have an awesome finished product.

EDIT. Correcting wrong "their". <hangs head in shame>

linw

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#1319451 8-Jun-2015 14:59

Looks like you can buy veneered sheets. Example here http://www.bbstimbers.co.nz/products/panels/plywood-veneer-mdf/

I used to buy iron-on strips to cover the exposed front edges.

Anyway, several of ways of doing it. Look forward to a photo at the end!

But, is it cost-effective to have them custom made, though? Maybe you have the drivers and just want the housings?