How to make a Transformers Bluetooth BoomBox | I Like To Make Stuff

I made a Bluetooth Boombox that looks like Soundwave!!
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I began the project by designing the most iconic element of the boombox, the Soundwave face. I traced a picture of the 80's toy in Fusion 360 so that I could export those cut lines out to the CNC. You don't have to do this step if you don't have access to the CNC, you can very easily cut these panel details out of thin EVA foam or strips of thin wood.
I loaded the cut paths into Aspire, my CNC design software, and carved the the lines into a piece of 1/2" MDF. Again, whether you are making a crazy Transformers prop or another interesting boombox, you can add these details in a lot of ways.
The boombox's overall size was determined by the size of two speakers side-by-side. They would be mounted to a panel that is fit inside the finished boombox. I cut the top, bottom, and side panels on the table saw and attached them together with glue and brad nails. I also cut a back panel to complete the enclosure and attached it with some screws so I can access the speaker if needed.
In the original toy, Soundwave has a space where the cassette tape robots would sit. I planned on cutting this hole out and covering it with black speaker cloth so that the speakers can project through this opening.
The speakers that I am using are meant to fit into the ceiling so they have screws and mounting tabs that tighten the speaker housings to a panel from the front. To attach them to the boombox, I cut two holes in a 1/2" panel and dropped them in. Tightening the mounting screws drew those tabs forward and secured the speakers in place.
I connected the speaker wires to the bluetooth module and mounted that to the panel as well. To power the whole system, I had to drill a small hole in the back panel for the power cord. Once plugged in, they easily connected to my phone and I was able to crank up the jams.
Now that the speakers are mounted and the bluetooth pairing was successful, it was time to finish up the rest of the prop details. To match the 80's toy as close as possible, I used metallic silver spray paint and a deep blue for the color scheme. Some of the detail pieces like the red light and the eject button were 3d printed, while the volume wheel and the slide were cut out of EVA foam. You could hand-paint them, but I used my vinyl cutter to match the cassette-player's labels.
The Decepticon emblem was printed in Matterhackers' Pro Series PLA in Lilac Pastel, a perfect match for the original color, and mounted on a silver plate also printed in PLA. The emblem was mounted to the speaker cloth with CA glue and supported from behind with an MDF brace.
Overall, this was a simple speaker enclosure that was decorated in a fun and nostalgic way. These bluetooth speakers were super simple to mount and setup and they are really loud. I was really happy with the look of the boombox and I hope I was able to show that you don't need really fancy tool to make it, although using a CNC and a 3d printer make the whole project cleaner and faster.
I hope this inspired you to add some bluetooth speakers to a project, maybe some for your yard or for an indoor theater. This kit can easily pair with an Amazon Echo so you can connect multiple IoT devices together in your home. If you liked the prop-making aspect of this project, I have made many Transformers-related builds in the past you can check out too!
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How to make a "Soundwave" Bluetooth BoomBox | I Like To Make Stuff
• How to make a Transfor...
I Like To Make Stuff
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[@Pryorfab]

The transformers iltms transition is still my favorite scene transition. Awesome project! You could Substitute the popsicle stick with an Emery board! 👍

[@KirbyMeetsAudio]

Bob making Bluetooth speakers! YES! Really creative use of ceiling speakers. Thanks for sharing!

[@ericbartha6313]

Alright, I am breaking my rule of not commenting until I watch the whole video... That scene transition at 3:19 was AMAZING! Totally brought me back to my basement on a Saturday morning...

[@jrmyrnsm]

Ditto!

[@AlejandroSartori]

I agree!

[@jakobhammerbertelsen]

I broke my rule of not skipping a video and reading comments before watching a video. Skipped right to 3:19 was nostalgic, then went back to watch the video. THen went to make this comment, and forgot to watch said video, and am now going to rewatch it again...! That's why you don't break rules ^^ !

[@jacobshort6528]

Yeah! That was C.A.F.

[@blsdava1]

Same! It gave me goosebumps!

[@modustrial]

As a fellow maker who grew up obsessed with Transformers, I love it. Awesome build!

[@soundwavethedecepticonboi5982]

Same

[@vincentferrari]

You should make Blaster now so you have a matching set ;)

[@Brettbren]

*I would LOVE that, as I am a HUGE Autobot fan!*

[@Kitsunekun2]

I second that.

[@RetrobeeJordans]

Vincent Ferrari dooooooope idea!!! 🤦🏾‍♂️😍

[@blsdava1]

Transformers fan girl here, this build made me giddy with joy!!🤩

[@TrevorHigginsDustysqueak]

Love the build and especially the logo transition. I’ve make a few speaker boxes and I stand by your stylized version. Pretty cool.

[@GiacoWhatever]

this is just insanely awesome!

[@WeebotTheRobot]

**Connects to phone** **Plays the touch at max volume** **Destroys everything within a half mile radius**

[@dakaraius]

That is such a great song.

[@oneofmanyte3321]

You've got the powerrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

[@mrbray2876]

At that moment you had got the power You got the touch

[@thewolf8660]

⚡🎵Soundwave superior. Autobots inferior.🎶⚡

[@Andre_the_Lion]

Nobody calls Soundwave uncrassimatic!

[@ashconvoy6618]

I swear i can hear his voice

[@omarcruz4375]

Adobots inferio soundwave superior

[@forby_]

[soon] Alexa: transform and roll out

[@archievee9658]

Oh shoot! 😂😂

[@ByersLeafguard]

What a blast from the past! Awesome job! It turned out so good.

[@michaelpotase]

GEEKING OUT!!! This is so awesome and Soundwave is one of my favorite Transformers

[@D2Kprime]

I just keep binge-watching your videos because your style, choice of music cues, and many projects has a very 80s nostalgia-flavor to it which always brings up good feelings about the great times I had as a kid and how blessed my childhood was.

[@BlakeLoring]

A maker and a Foo Fighters fan! Good stuff, and great project!

[@UncleRJ]

That transition... The nostalgic feelings... They're so real...

[@feldybikes]

While Soundwave is definitely cooler, Blaster was actually a boom box. Lost points for inaccuracy. (Totally kidding here, this is amazing. I’m putting it on my list to make a tape recorder scale one)

[@shenglongisback4688]

Lol was thinkin that too

[@editorodriguez6554]

Blaster was the boom box and soundwave was a take recorder

[@ecrusch]

Wow! That came out great Bob! Don't worry about explaining all the different ways someone can build these things. Where there's a will, there's a way. Thank you Eric

[@GamerKid11]

Dude! This thing is EPIC!! I LOVED the logo transition!!

[@baliwmo]

I always watch transformers when I was a kid, it's part of my youth. I always watch your videos bob. Greetings from the Philippines

[@SpecificLove7]

Great looking project, good choice on the design

[@Thepracticalengineer]

Nice vid Bob! I like how you use not so everyday tools (for most of us) but still explain how it can be done otherwise.

[@nerdyviews]

Soundwave Superior! Definitely one of my favorite builds!

[@BenTaylor11]

i love the longer format videos. your way of e planning work arounds, alternative build ideas really stirs the creativity. This build looks so amazing and those bluetooth speakers really open up the possibilities. thanks for doing what you do

[@Lechanan]

You're such a nerd, Bob. I love it! 😁 I thought this was a cool build. It's awesome how your projects have gone from today we're doing carpentry, or work with an arduino or just metal work, into cool stuff like this and most of your recent videos, where you're culminating all of your knowledge and tools to make even cooler things. Thanks for sharing! You always inspire me to keep learning and tying to become a better maker!

[@Iliketomakestuff]

Thank you!!

[@daniellennane9461]

This is so freaking cool! This is the first video I have seen from you but I know I'll be checking out more of your stuff! As a pretty die hard Transformers (and Soundwave) fan, this video had me grinning from ear to ear. You are amazing!

[@thejedijohn]

Yeah for the Smarter Every Day shirt!!!

[@chrisboland1617]

I was going to comment that but you beat me to it!

[@WeArePharmers]

Love both Bob's and Destin's channels, so cool to see that shirt

[@corison2058]

I caught that too!

[@danthemakerman]

Really awesome project, pulls on the ole nostalgia heart strings for sure.

[@teemondy]

Really wish he had at least done the illusion of the cassette windows on each side. Would a made it come together a bit more

[@robin888official]

Yeah, when he said where wanted the speakers to go, I really thought they would resemble the reels of the cassette in the final build. Nice trip down memory lane anyway.

[@jenky1044]

@@robin888official He should have made the box to fit around the size speakers he chose for the job. He only uses 2/3-rds of the speakers...the other 1/3-rd (of each speaker) is blocked behind the front pannel.

[@KumoriBlackPhoenix]

in a way he did. black. ravage was black

[@shawnyoung5960]

@@KumoriBlackPhoenix He could have also trimmed 3/4 to an inch off an end of each housing/frame since they looked to be plastic,. Even at 3/4 a inch off each at one end it would have brought them into each other by 1 1/2 inch for less speaker blockage though it is a bit more challenging but works. I've done that before in a car and it came out great.

[@ChristopherMcAvaney]

Loving the extra camera and editing techniques in this video. Taking me back in time to the 80's/90's with the transformers on a Saturday morning.

[@danielloh4483]

Step 2: Build a Scale Model of the Matrix of Leadership that plays 'The Touch' and glows when you pull the two halves apart.

[@fenukio]

Lol

[@waynenocton]

Ordered one, put them in my bathroom ceiling, built 1/2 cubic foot enclosures which I glued with construction adhesive to keep the blown insulation away and of course for sound quality . The unit itself is in the roof area too, simply added an outlet. The ac adapter is 12 volt, I didn’t check but I’m assuming DC. I think I’m going to put the same system in my old classic car too because there is no good place to mount a head unit. Thanks a bunch for sharing this item, it’s so much better than the sound bar I had planned to install, your video timing was perfect, I had already bought the sound bar one day before and took it back as soon as I saw the Pyle unit. They make smaller and bigger 10” versions too, in 2 or 4 speaker versions.

[@nedstewart]

Bob mate. Your content just gets BETTER and BETTER!

[@Iliketomakestuff]

Thanks so much!

[@kevinetheridgemakes]

Really enjoy this one. Kudos! Another project where you got to use and demonstrate lots of different methods and styles of making. Much appreciated!

[@completefiller6637]

This is amazing the tf community is probably the best fandom i've been in

[@geoffstockton]

I knew I liked you, Bob. Soundwave has always been my favorite Transformer. I was so psyched to see this show up in related vids.

[@CDeanhartman]

We can send a man to the moon, but a half decent painter's tape is still unachievable.

[@possiblegenius1]

I hope at least a small percentage of people appreciate the thought you give for the mediums people can use to make these projects! Be it foam, wood, metal or whatever!

[@LordTheodore04]

Finally yes a speaker videos

[@The_Wosh]

Man, I love Soundwave, my favourite Soundwave is the one from prime, he's just so creepy and intimidating in that series

[@Caruth]

I haven’t seen a lot of clamps from the clamp champ lately...

[@noahspence1104]

This is so awesome! Out of all your projects, I think this is the one I've wanted to make the most.

[@gokusaid]

Soundwave superior, Constructicons inferior. Awesome job👍

[@NirvanaWoodWorksbyJanie]

Love it! Good old days. Me eating breakfast & getting ready for school. Me coming home from school and just sitting in front of my TV waiting for the rerun along with Gargoyles to come up. I recently did a small project for my son & used the metallic gold spray paint. I had the same issue as you did. Except I had to resand the entire piece and then spray paint again. It might be that type of metallic spray paint that doesn't go with the painters tape.

[@aremdvnasophia]

I didn't even watch the video yet, but I'm giving it a thumbs up for the thumbnail.

[@aremdvnasophia]

That turned out awesome.

[@TheWoodLab]

Love the ILTMS Transformers transition! I was big into Transformers as a kid - such a cool project Bob! - Jim

[@JoshMakesStuff]

Dem Hoodies Look Dope Fam. FIRST!!

[@Mikeynuts21]

4th is cool, too.

[@Pryorfab]

The P.I. Workshop if you ain't first.... you must not work for Bob 😂

[@tripp9821]

And playing the role of thing from the Adams Family .... Josh. (Hands knife to Bob)

[@DoItProjects]

OMG! I had that exact toy as a kid. Loved it! This project touches on so many levels, Bob. Epic build.

[@406nova6]

So you made a Box🤨

[@nickkropat8857]

The IL2MS transition made this entire video - awesome project :D

[@bluespace8119]

Where r u from?

[@Pryorfab]

Technology Corner Cybertron, obviously!

[@Ismail-xq9ry]

From, Copper II Sulphate

[@RhettRO55]

Bit of a creepy and slightly inappropriate comment/question.

[@lucemozioni]

This is awesome, one of the coolest project! And the scene transition with your logo is a cool touch too!

[@dariusgougis1382]

Touch screen smart Mirror

[@cliffdoes_stuff4012]

Wow... that ILTMS/Transformers transition is awesome. What a great project, I love it. It's cool to be a nerd and a maker... the possibilities are endless!!

[@3DPrintingNerd]

IT DOESN'T TRANSFORM????? Unsubscribe. Hahahahahah

[@777Bwild777]

SOUNDWAVE!! Now you're talking!! Total nostalgia trip for me man and I love ya for it

[@Chadmw]

The 80’s were so good for cartoons! Awesome work dude!

[@caponeprincess73]

I'm a big Transformers fan and love this project.

[@RuneClawLCC]

This is “How It’s Made: Custom, For Fun, KZbin Style” and I freaking love it. Thanks for the epic content! Now back to watching all your videos...

[@damionchrist]

Bob, this is the most badass creation I’ve seen in quite a while, Kudos to you! A++

[@ManNamedEd]

That was just AWESOME!!!! Great project and a lot of fun to watch!! Great character to do!! Loved this!

[@michaelllanio]

AMAZING! You should do one go Blaster next

[@Fugatech3DPrinting]

The music in this episode is pretty dope. Good job on all fronts Bob!

[@jackharper3603]

Smarter Every Day is one of my favorite KZbin channels! Along with this one of course.

[@Iliketomakestuff]

Destin is great!

[@janusmcdougall9370]

I loved literally everything about this video so much!

[@TheFumanchewie]

You make a lot of cool stuff but this one tops them all! Magnificent

[@Gantorin]

This so brought my back to my 1980s childhood. Super Awesome!

[@FigmentsMade]

This is a great one! And I like that it's such a flexible project it can be made with various tools and materials. Nice!

[@DennerBob]

Ha! I loved that classic transformers transition!

[@RichardMartin]

That’s really cool, I’ve been thinking of using those ceiling speakers in my own project, and you’ve made up my mind for me. Cheers Bob!👍🏻

[@MrSoundwave787]

Amazing job! This video was exactly what I was looking for. Soundwave superior!

[@mrclean2005]

LOVE the iltms transformer scene transition!

[@frankthetankricard]

Hey Bob! Since these speakers were meant to drop in a ceiling they are probably optimized for a large air space (aka big ass box). They'll perform alright in a small box but definitely not to their best potential. For people looking to build a compact boombox I strongly recommend different drivers. Parts express has a great selection of both speaker kits and separate components often with helpful comments/build photos. The spec sheets often specify recommended box dimensions as well. Check them out before your next diy audio project!

[@mattadair7021]

I have to say, that was the best transition I've seen on KZbin yet! :-D

[@lazybrain9574]

I LOVE HOW U CAN JUST SEE SLAVE 1 IN THR BACKGROUND THIS GUY HAS SO MANY THINGS IN COMMON WITH ME WE LIKE SOUNDWAVE AND BOBA FETT

[@coreycassell3723]

That's the coolest thing i've ever seen. Great job!!

[@ravonos]

On that silver paint, I usually do a really light layer of clear coat after. In my experience, no matter how long you let it dry/cure the tape always leaves a mark. I like to do it first as well for the layering effects. I used it for some Mandalorian armor I made.

[@GarlandSuseberry]

Dude before I even start the video you went from awesome to over the top epic in my book

[@MakeBrooklyn]

That is awesome!! So cool finally getting to say hello to you and everyone else at NYC Maker Fair yesterday. Cheers!

[@hippoandbearmakes3416]

I love this! I think I would have to add a battery pack so I could walk the streets with it! Totally awesome!

[@alexbyrne844]

I may never make one of your projects but I will always watch all of your videos you make the coolest things and have great ideas

[@r6dink]

Hey Bob, awesome vid. I was always more of a optimus and hot rod fan but love the throwback. As for the tape - EdgeLock tape and FrogTape are designed to have a chemical reaction with paint that comes in touch with it so you get that CRISP edge and no bleed-over. When you use it on a painted surface that isn't FULLY cured, it reacts with that paint. That's why you had that problem. I am assuming the blue cured longer and/or you didn't leave the tape on quite as long? There is a delicate surface version of the edgelock tape that can work on freshly painted surfaces. It is blue with orange print on it. Otherwise standard tape would do the job with less chance of mucking up the paint job. Ideally... just let the paint cure completely.

[@jsteih]

So Awesome! I remember having a sound wave toy as a kid.

[@MattMurphree]

This is one of the coolest nerdy things you've made!

[@MikeTheMaker1]

This has the potential to be the best series on KZbin, next he builds a tank, jet, car, and all the others.

[@BuildiTDIYIsrael]

THIS! this is AWESOME!!! thank you! so cool. I also loved soundwave as a kid.

[@BadWallaby]

Man I love this project! ALSO the music In this one is awesome! whatever band or composer made that track is killin it!

[@markadamarnold]

Way cool project. This brings back serious memories. Now make it transform!

[@danielrisueno8003]

It's awesomo how you give so many otions for those of us hwo don't have tools like CNCs and such. Thanks and keep going! PD: That transition LOL, so 80's cartoon style! Love it.

[@hamzaimran4128]

Shiny paint takes longer to dry... Love the transformers' stuff Great job bob

[@Johnny5Toy]

Love the build, and LOVE the Smarter Every Day T-Shirt!!

[@drumunl]

Super cool project, Bob! Awesome design, and solid execution! 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@SmokyFrosty]

with a little bit of weathering it would look even more perfect! Great simple project :D Great Video

[@jktechwriter]

Great project, Bob. We sure do miss you here in Georgia, but glad to see you've settled in. So happy for your success!

[@Iliketomakestuff]

Thanks man!

[@bushyman477]

While I never plan on making this (or any projects tbf), very entertaining to watch. Nice video!

[@AdamHaile]

Love it! Soundwave was also my favorite. Just FYI, you can export a F360 sketch to DXF and then import into inkscape to save as an SVG. Takes 5 seconds. I have to do that all the time for my laser cutter, which can't read DXF directly.

[@scootersworkbench6347]

Nice one! I love the different elements all brought together.

[@decepticreep952]

Cool video! Wish I was this good at making things. Upvoted because those scene transitions are amazing and every video with Soundwave is superior. 😉

[@WhereNerdyisCool]

Loved the logo with the Transformer segway!

[@0ArmoredSoul0]

YESSSSS ANOTHER SOUNDWAVE FAN!!! :D Also, holy heck, that figure is in darn good shape!