Selecting your Material


Fiberboard is really the best material that you can use for the walls of your enclosure, since its high density will minimize the panel vibrations and you will end up with a more efficient enclosure. Don't confuse fiberboard with particle board however as they are quite different. Although particle board looks a lot like fiberboard, its physical properties make it unfit for the car because Extreme temperature variations and humidity can cause particle board to chip, split, or warp in some way.

Plywood is a decent choice too if fiberboard is not readily available. Plywood is not as dense as fiberboard, but it has the advantage of weighing only half as much, making it much easier to work with. If you choose a laminated wood, make sure that it has no defects. The reason for this is because imperfections in lamination can cause your enclosure to make a buzz or rattling noise. As for the thickness of the wood, 5/8-inch will suffice for enclosures with internal volumes of 2 cubic feet or less; for larger boxes, you will want to use 3/4-inch material.

When you want to join the pieces of your enclosure together, your best bet when doing this is to use screws. Nails work too, of course, but they can loosen over time; especially if you're building a removable enclosure that will be going through some abuse. Other materials you'll need when building your enclosure will include carpenter's glue, silicone sealant, spray adhesive, and various finishing materials.