Q:

I work in a basement shop, where I use a small, noisy, “pancake” air compressor. Can I enclose it in a cabinet to soften the noise?

Jeff Dinardo, Concord, MA

A:

You should be able to enclose a small compressor in a plywood or medium-density fiberboard (MDF) box, provided that you make the cabinet large enough to allow good air circulation around the compressor and drill enough vent holes.

The number of vent holes and their locations will vary from one compressor to another, and it takes trial and error to get the ventilation right.

You can use a thermostat to monitor the temperature inside the cabinet. If it gets too hot—and especially if the compressor overheats— drill more vent holes.

Drawing: Vince Babak

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