Help - Where to find Sonotube near Boston MA?

[Kilentra]

Hi all,

I'm teaching a class with high school students and they want to build a cylindrical subwoofer. The design calls for a tube 24" in diameter and 32" high. I've called all sorts of places, and it initially appears that type of tube is unavailable. The problem is that you can get short lengths of the small diameters (i.e. 8" - 12") but larger diameters are only available in 12-foot increments. I was quoted $135 for that length, which is a bit beyond our means.

Yet still I see lots of people have successfully built sonosubs. Where does one buy or salvage short Sonotubes for subwoofer projects (particularly in eastern Massachusetts)? Does anyone have a leftover length from a project?

Thanks
Michael

[kevinkr]

Try your local home depot and Loews. Also considering redefining the project to use a smaller diameter tube - 24" tube is huge. Most I've seen used much smaller tube.

Others will weigh in soon about this..

How about some ts parameters and the design goals you are trying to meet? This will help those who may want to help.

[Kilentra]

I tried two of the Home Depot stores nearby and their largest diameter is 12". I am guessing this is a pattern. However, I will try Lowe's tomorrow.

The subwoofer design calls for something like 7-10 cubic feet, using a Dayton RSS390HF 15" driver. It's a vented enclosure with a 6" flared port. I left my students to figure out the exact volume and tuning they want, but with a 24" diameter tube it should end up between 28-36" long. The choice of 24" tube as opposed to a narrower, longer one was an aesthetic decision on their part. (An 18" diameter tube would have to be 4-5 feet long.)

Thanks in advance for any advice!

Michael

[Kilentra]

Here's an update: I gave up on trying to find a shorter piece of tube (believe me, I tried). It seems there isn't a market for it; indeed, you don't see many 24" concrete pillars. Although, the guy I bought the tube from explained that they are frequently used in parking lots and below ground.

I bought the 12-foot tube for $135 from Pirolli's in Watertown. There's about 9 feet left. If anyone would like to buy a piece at a proportionally lower price, please contact me!

[zobsky]

Go look for a construction supply place . I bought 4 ft long x 18 " wide (they cut to length) from a whitecap store in Dallas, Tx . They had several sizes in stock.

No whitecap stores in your area but you should have better luck pursuing this line of inquiry.

[jbell]

sonotube is found at concrete construction companies in 12' sections, at every 2" in diameter. (10,12,14,16,18)

just look local yellow pages under concrete construction. (around me it's carter waters)

[kevinkr]

Dead issue guys.. Did you notice that the original poster found and purchased the required sonotube some weeks ago?

[Kilentra]

Right... I appreciate the encouragement though.

The subwoofer came together after last Sunday's class. Looks like it will be pretty impressive, albeit ugly.

[jbell]

Why ugly? sew a 'sock' of grill cloth and wrap it. If you use cloth with just a little stretch, it works great. Then put your top and baffle on, sandwiching the fabric.

Mine always come out looking nice. This top is made out of 2x12 (2 pieces glued together, and then turned down on a table saw) and it still looks good.