Red oak to replace tops & bottoms too expensive?

fbm211

I got a quote today for 4 red oak boards custom cut to replace the current tops and bottoms of 2Bs.Flat cut kiln dried and planed to order.Lead time is 4-6 weeks.Cost is a whopping 68.26 in advance.Seems a bit high to me as Ive seen red oak sell for 1.80 a board foot.Although lowes wanted 39.95 for a 6 foot board uncut.All I want is 4 11 1/2 x 16 1/2 x 1 Im waiting for other quotes and 3 of 6 places refused to do the job.Is 68.26 reasonable?It does include shipping.

ben62670

With shipping included the price is good. Just be sure there is no end grain showing.
Ben

F1nut

Dirt cheap.

Custom cutting and milling all takes time and time is money.

I should mention that solid wood isn't the best idea for the end caps. Veneered MDF or particleboard is more stable.

fbm211

Hmm.I learn someting new every day on this forum.Veneered MDF or particleboard you say.I wandered how polk got those staples or nails in those caps.My right channel caps got pretty torn up in shipping and im itching to replace them and laminate the sides while Im at it.Where could I get venerred mdf?

Face

Parts Express sells veneer.

danger boy

i'd go for that easily.... the price of everything is going up... for 4 new caps.. seems like a bargain to me.

ben62670

I really like the Blood wood. Looks like they don't hold it for very long. I need some very large pieces to do mine:(

heiney9

fbm211 wrote: »

Hmm.I learn someting new every day on this forum.Veneered MDF or particleboard you say.I wandered how polk got those staples or nails in those caps.My right channel caps got pretty torn up in shipping and im itching to replace them and laminate the sides while Im at it.Where could I get venerred mdf?

The reason for particle board with veneer is it's less sensitive to climate changes. Real, solid wood not only can dry out but it expands and contracts a bit more when climate conditions change, which is not nec. a good thing.

If you choose the correct real wood and perhaps seal it properly climate changes might not be an issue. Jesse (F1) is a wood worker so I'd go with his advice unless you do some more research.

H9

Mike Reeter

I replaced the caps on our 2.3's and a pair of 1C's I used to have a couple of years ago.

No fatigue or cracks yet using solid Oak...I agree that veneer covered mdf would probably be the "best" way to go,but no problems here yet.

I know a cabinet builder that just happen to have some 1" stock on hand that was left over from a previous job...so the cost of the four caps that I had made was very cheap.

http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=45899&highlight=caps

dcmeigs

F1nut wrote: »

I should mention that solid wood isn't the best idea for the end caps. Veneered MDF or particleboard is more stable.

If the caps are just ugly and not cracked, you would be well advised to veneer them. I covered mine in mahogany and they have held up very well and look teriffic. It will cost you about the same, but you can select from dozens of beautiful veneers from exotic hardwoods.

amulford

heiney9 wrote: »

Jesse (F1) is a wood worker.
H9

Jesse is the Wood Ninja!

Go with a veneer. You could try solid wood, but I wouldn't. IF you do, what ever you do, don't use red oak. The grain isn't tight enough. REAL susceptble to humidity and climate change...

fbm211

I shot the maple guy an email.Do any of you use any of those cd treatments he sells?Do they really work?Ive got some older cds that wont play and others that jitter,skip or wont play at all in the adcom but will in my pc.

fbm211

They dont offer custom sizes of unfinished maple. I talked to a guy at lowes today and he agreed red oak expands and shrinks too much.BUT he said that cedar or ash wood might be okay as they dont expand and shrink as much.And I inquired about mdf and get this.I would have to get at least a 4ft by 8ft sheet which costs 45.00 plus 25,00 special freight fee for only one sheet.I can deal with the price but that is way too much mdf for my needs.So F1nut, can you get cedar or ash or even mdf ?I only need about 6 board feet of any one of them.I can pay you up to 100.00 for the work and wood.