My build has been going on for several months now, but there hasn’t been much to share until recently. Now that there is finally enough progress I figured it was time. I started back in December with the planning, got the flat packs in January/February, and began work in earnest in March. I expect the overall build is going to still take several more months, hopefully completed by the end of the year.
My original plan was to build a pair of NX-Oticas, but then I threw in a pair of triple OB subs because why not? The NX-Otica flatpack arrived in January, and the sub flatpacks in February. Unfortunately, we then had the big freeze here in Texas, and I had to put any progress on hold to take care of other things.
Planning
I had already decided that I was going to veneer the side panels on both the Oticas and the subs, and paint the bases and baffles piano black. The amp boxes would get a similar treatment. On Jay’s recommendation, I likewise decided to veneer the inside frames within the subs, even though it will generally be covered by grills. Perfectionist me decided to veneer the insides of Otica side panels so the parts not covered by No-Rez will have the same finish as the outside (even though it may only be a 1/2” reveal). To pull this off, it would require that I finish the various components before finally assembly, as I didn’t relish trying to veneer inside the cabinet with the braces installed. I also decided I wanted the edges veneered as well. This meant that I’d be doing a lot of masking and dry fitting until the pieces were finished and assembled in the final build.
Finishes:
For the outer panels, I opted for an Italian palmwood veneer from Oakwood Veneer with a rather distinctive grain pattern. I also decided that I wanted the grain to run horizontal instead of vertical. This doesn’t seem like much, but when you realize the veneer comes in 50” tall sheets, the outside panels on the Oticas are approx. 54” long, and the grain runs up and down, you quickly realize you’ll be jointing veneer to make this work. Also, there is no available edge banding, so if I wanted the edge grain to be consistent, I would be making my own edge banding. Oh, and again the edges are longer than 50”, so more jointing on those. For the best possible look from the outside, the edge banding would be done first, then the large panels would be veneered. With panels this size, I opted to use a vacuum press for better results.
For the baffle and the bases, I wanted a simple black automotive paint that I could buff to a high-gloss shine. I considered peals and metallic flake, but decided I wasn’t sure about the look nor my skills since I am also a novice painter. Just laying down the various layers of an automotive finish with an HVLP sprayer would be challenge enough, followed by more sanding than I probably want to do.
Supplies:
In addition to the flatpack, I ended up getting:
3 4x8 sheets of the palmwood veneer. I thought two would be enough initially, but after laying everything out, I realized I was going to be at least 12”. Turns out I needed most of the three sheets once I decided to veneer the insides of the panels as well.
1/2 gallon of black automotive paint, plus primers, catalysts, etc.
2 4x8 sheets of 3/4” melamine. One would serve as a work surface for the various stages of the build; the other would be used for all the cutting, then trimmed down as a platten for the vacuum press.
A vacuum press with a 2x6 vacuum bag large enough to fit each panel.
A HVLP paint gun to spray the paint
A small paint tent and tarps to make a small paint booth
Various sanding/finishing/prep materials including Bondo, sanding pads, mixing cups, cotton rags, masking tape and films, razor blades, and stirring sticks
Veneer tools including rollers, different glues for heat and vacuum application, and trimmers
Various stains and tints to finish the veneer
A trim router with a down-cutting trim bit
And probably a lot of other stuff I forgot. In some cases, I had many of the tools available; in other cases, I decided to supplement what I already had.