PSA Home Project Idea: DIY Bluetooth Speaker
The firt Bluetooth speaker I bought was the best one I've ever owned - the Big Jambox by Jawbone - unfortunately they went out of business. Since then I have had lemon after lemon so I did some googling.
I saw a great video from a woodworker on building a Bluetooth speaker out of walnut. It turned out beautiful in the guys video but way beyond my skillset (as in I have no skills or serious woodworking tools at all), but he posted the kit info. Turns out the company sells the whole thing including the pre-cut wood.
Anyway, my son and I made it and it sounds fantastic. Anyway, if you have a kid or spouse that is reasonably "gadgety" or likes to build stuff, it is a cool project. I had to buy a $12 soldering iron, and some flux, but we had a glue gun and clamps. It is not necessarily cheap, but for what you get I think it is a deal. Not to mention you get to experience yet another subculture I never knew existed, DIY speaker makers. Check it out.
https://www.parts-express.com/blast-box-200-watt-portable-bluetooth-speaker-kit--300-71...
It's a very enjoyable hobby.
by ReginaldVelJohnson 
, Thursday, April 09, 2020, 08:07 (2037 days ago) @ Albie
And that kit looks like a great way to get started. The nice thing is that you can spend as much or as little as you want once you start looking at the projects. Most of the woodworking can be done with a circular saw and router with circle cutting jig. (I built my first set on the roof of an apartment building in NYC) It's also become quite a bit more accessible with access to CNC woodworking services. If you can create a CAD file for what you need, you can find someone to produce all the pieces without much trouble.
The PartsExpress has a gallery of project ideas, and their forums are very active with people posting project ideas and suggestions.
Do you have a CNC maker you recommend?
by ndbk32 , Los Angeles, Thursday, April 09, 2020, 13:09 (2037 days ago) @ ReginaldVelJohnson
I've been planning to build a tube amplifier for a number of years now. I have all the electrical components, but one thing that's held me back (apart from going from single to father of 3) is the chassis. I've accepted I don't have the tools/space to put together a nice chassis for myself, and am happy to contract that part out. The goal is wood rectangle w/ cutouts and an aluminum top-plate (pre-drilled for mounting).
No one nationally.
by ReginaldVelJohnson , Thursday, April 09, 2020, 15:08 (2037 days ago) @ ndbk32
For awhile, I was doing all of my own at a TechShop they had in town. CNC Router for wood (ShopBot) and water jet cutter for everything else. Unfortunately they went out of business. Now I use a guy I met there who uses his business' equipment at an hourly rate.
I know there are online companies that will do stuff for you, but I have no experience with them. Partially because prices seem high, and also because I think it's easier to be able to deal with someone in person for something like this. If you have any local maker/hacker spaces, I'd inquire there. They may either have the equipment and be able to help connect you with someone who can do the work or be able to point you in the direction of local businesses that can help out.