I've modified the dimensions slightly. The plans call for internal dimensions of 7.25 x 11.25 x 17.25. I decided to go closer to the golden ratio and came up with 7 x 11.25 x 18. The baffle layout is identical to the original, except the center for the tweeter cutout is 3 3/8" from the top of the baffle, as opposed to 2 5/8" in the original design.

Other things that may actually have an effect on the sound of the finished product - I plan to line the top, one side and the rear panel with 3 1/2" R-12 fiber glass and coat the exterior surfaces with this stuff:

http://www.duplicolor.com/products/truckbed.html

I have a neighbor who is a serious woodworking hobbyist, and he has agreed to help with corner rounding, driver recesses, and hole cuts. I repay him with stuff from Lee Valley - circle jigs, router bits, etc. - the arrangement is beneficial for both of us. Anyway, on to my question.

Does the 23 liter gross internal volume for the one pi design include allowance for internal bracing? I'm asking because my implementation of the design doesn't use any braces. This is my first vented box project, and I don't want to muck it up Thanks!

To answer your question about bracing, none is required in the Studio one π or two π loudspeakers. The towers need braces, as do the other larger speakers. But these speakers are small and the cabinet is very rigid without adding braces. The internal volume is right if no braces are used.

I'm in SW Ontario - Kitchener-Waterloo area. What gave me away, the liters? LOL....

The mailman brought a new Jasper model 400 circle jig on Friday, payment for my woodworker friend who is helping with the cutouts. Just my luck that his folks were celebrating their 40th anniversary yesterday, so the cutting of the holes will have to wait a few days. I'll be ready - the centers for the cutouts are marked - ready when he is. In the meantime, I still have to cut the fiber glass panels for box lining. Not looking forward to that....

I will post pix when the job is done. One question before I go - any ideas on the best tool to make clean cuts on the cardboard mailing tube? I'm thinking a utility knife with a new blade, but I'm open to other ideas.

I'll be picking up a real 1/2" bit tomorrow, so it's not the end of the world, but I have run into another issue, and need some help and advice. We did the port cutout 2 1/2" according to the plans, and I discovered that the cardboard mailing tube I picked up at Staples does not conform to the design specs. Specifically:

1. The 2 1/2" mailing tube, made and purchased in Canada, is 2 1/2" ID, so the tubing does not fit in a 2 1/2" cutout.

2. The tube's wall thickness is roughly 0.1", not 0.03" as specified in Wayne's plans.

Questions:

1. Can anyone on the north side of the 49th recommend a source for a tube that will suit for this application?

2. If 1 is a no go, question for Wayne - would you be willing to sell me a suitable mailing tube? OD = 2 1/2", wall thickness = 0.03", length = 24". (Did I mention I'm working on six identical cabinets for my HT?)

Thanks for any and all suggestions.

• Port tube material at PaperMart.com