This week’s question comes from Gary. He writes:
I built the cases out of MDF, and was thinking of just doing a poplar frame, and installing those push-in speaker clips on it, so the face can be removed. Speaker fabric will cover where a panel typically would be (to be acoustically transparent, of course). I’m struggling with how to do the frames though with the speaker fabric. At first I thought I’d just use the same cabinet door bit set I used on these so the profile would match. But, now wondering if it should still have the panel groove in it, and if so, how does the fabric install that way? I thought maybe, I still use a ¼†piece of stock only about ¾†wide or something, wrap the fabric around one edge, and insert it in the groove, and pin nail it or something so it stays (??). Not sure what the best way to go is here, and so far, cant find any advice online about that type of installation. I’m guessing I definitely would want to keep the same profile on the frames, right? Not fine furniture by any means, but ldwaet me know if you get a chance, any thoughts you have… Thanks dude.
And here was my response:
Hey Gary. This is actually very similar to a big built-in project I did about a year ago. Lots of frames with fabric. What I recommend is using the same bit you’ve been using (I assume it cuts the profile and the panel groove all at the same time). And instead of trying to get the fabric into the groove somehow, just rip the back end of the groove off, so that the groove becomes a rabbet. Then you can lay your fabric right into the rabbet. Now if you have an upholstery staple gun and a 23 gauge pinner, this whole thing becomes a whole lot easier. Use the upholstery gun to attach the fabric to the rabbet and be sure not to punch through the profile. Keep your gun pointed back on an angle to make sure it goes into the meat of the frame. Then stretch the material over to the opposing side and secure it in place. Do the same for each side and the hard part is done.
At this point the door looks a little ugly on the inside. Depending on the with of your tablesaw blade and the depth of the groove, that cut-off piece from ripping the groove may be just the perfect size to fill in the rabbet. So drop it into the corner of the rabbet, and use the 23 ga pins to secure it in place over the fabric. If the strips are too small, just cut some new ones.
If done properly, it will give you a nice finished look. Hope that helps.
6 Responses to “Door Frames with Acoustic Fabric?”
Nice piece!
asome i wish i could do something that good
Jack of a bunch of different trades here. (Electrician is the current money maker…) But I have been a screen printer before, (Putting ink through fabric on frames…) and as far as fabric on frames goes Marc’s advice is good, but I’ll add a tip or two. Keep as much material as you can until all secured – then remove excess. And use a 2″X2″X6″ block and wrap the fabric around slightly and use it as leverage against the frame with equal tension. Easier to gage with some practice with the block & the fabric will ease into the original shape when equal…. Also do one side first except the corners, then one end and then the corner, then the other end and its corner, then the side oposite the first if that makes any sense???? This way you lock one side, tension the end, tension the other end, and the last side all equally. I would also suggest a round over or bevel on the front as thin speaker cloth/fabric tears easily. As for attatching it – might I suggest in-laying some rare earth magnets into the base with some epoxy, and some corosponding steel washers? Or super trick….
http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=10713
Hello, I was wondering if you could tell me the process of wrapping a wardrobe door with fabric. whether you can just use a flat sheet of MDF or whether that would require a timber frame around the MDF? (incidentally the doors are quite large) Are there specific hinges that would be required to cope with the weight? I would greatly appreciate all your advice and help. Regards David
Hey David. I am no expert in fabric so this is just my best guess. I do think you should be able to wrap the mdf in fabric. As long as you can secure the material and pull it tight, it should be fine. Now the incorporation of a frame is probably a good idea no only to cover the edges of the fabric but also to protect the edges of the door itself.
As for hinges, you can do anything from good quality butt hinges to Euro-style cup hinges. A lot of it depends on the look you are going for. But you just need to make sure you have enough hinges on the door so the weight is completely supported. Another great reason for a frame is that the hinges will hold better in solid wood than in MDF.
A good method for working with grille cloth in a lot of these situations is to use the nubbly rubber cording designed for screen door applications. Buy some cording and the little wheel-tool used to push it in, you’ll find there is cord just the right size for your table saw blade kerf. This is a lot easier to replace later on if necessary than solutions involving pins and nails.