Replies

1. 
   Mike_Taylor1 | Feb 20, 2002 08:48pm | #2

   *
   Steve - Mine is outside the shop, but I'm fortunate in not having any neighbors behind me.

   I poured a concrete pad under the soffit then constructed a 2x4 frame from the pad up to the soffit. Mine is inclosed with plastic tarp to keep the weather out. The unit is out of sight from the front of the shop.

   Why couldn't 1" foam sheets be applied to the inside of such a construction to dampen the sound?

   If you live north of the Mason-Dixon line, then this may not be a viable option.

1. 
   Steve_Schefer | Feb 18, 2002 01:38am | #1

   *Mike, I've been thinking about enclosing it, I just wonder how much of the noise is really going to be contained. I would certainly have to vent the exhaust out somewhere. Seems to me that would be where the majority of the noise would be emitted. Steve

1. 
   Scott_Frankland | Feb 20, 2002 10:00pm | #3

   *Rigid insulation will not do to much to stop the noise but bat insulation will make a big difference. If you vent it up through the roof it will direct the sound away from your neighbors.Scott

1. 
   Steve_Schefer | Feb 20, 2002 11:53pm | #4

   *Scott, bat would be better than solid I think. Now how do I explain that 6 inch tube in the middle of the upstairs master bedroom. Nope, venting through the roof is probably a great idea but not an option. I wonder if I could baffle it like a muffler without restricting it.

1. 
   Don_Rogers | Feb 21, 2002 02:22am | #5

   *SteveMuffler type silencers are available from the guys selling the industrial stuff. My supplier sells them in all diameters that they make duct for so I assume they would be available in the US. I've not had any experience with them so can't give an opinion on how much noise they actually reduce.Don

2. 
   Scott_Frankland | Feb 21, 2002 04:44am | #6

   *Steve if you could vent it out the side of your house and then towards the ground or even behind a shrub or other bush. This would also work. All you are doing is funneling the sound and directing away from offended ears.Scott

3. 
   Mike_Taylor1 | Feb 21, 2002 05:55am | #7

   *Steve - If you got a louvered metal vent and stuck in a couple of 12"x24" standard AC filters (back to back), i would think that would suffice. Get a cheap panel door and cut out a hole for the vent.(just sent you email regarding those pics)

4. 
   Steve_Schefer | Feb 21, 2002 07:02pm | #8

   *Thanks all, now let me pose another question. How does a 1.5 hp DC compare in noise level to a 12 gallon shop vac. Last night I built a box and baffle for the shop vac that brought it down to an acceptable noise level.

5. 
   Scott_Frankland | Feb 21, 2002 07:47pm | #9

   *Steve you can buy mufflers for shop vac that make some difference. But as for the noise difference I find the DC is quiter than the Sears nodel but about the same as the Shop Vac QSP that I also own. I think Sears has the mufflers for the 2 1/2" blower end of the Shop Vac.Scott

6. 
   Steve_Schefer | Feb 21, 2002 07:58pm | #10

   *Scott, I lined the box with bat insulation about 2" thick then built a baffle box with 6 alternating baffles. The force of the exhaust did not change noticeably and when it is all locked down the noise level is at least 50% less than before. The shop vac seemed to suck just like it always does, (take that anyway you want). None of this is very scientific, I really don't want to take it to that level and I thank you all for not. I think if the DC is actually quieter than the shop vac and if I enclose it and vent the filtered exhaust upward toward the ceiling I should be O.K. One suggestion of venting it out through the roof got me thinking about tying it into the furnace/water heater vent. Dooohhhh.... Turbo Furnace...Don't worry it was just an initial really stupid thought.

7. 
   Armin_ | Feb 24, 2002 02:21am | #11

   *Steve, you are taking the hard road, if you are serious about the noise buy a real collection system, AC units are so much quieter to begin with. 25 years ago there was not a lot of info out there for small shop dust collection. I got lucky and called Cincinnati fan, a young engineer fixed me up with a blower that could take a 5 hp. motor but would meet my then needs using a 3 hp. motor running at a lower rpm. This unit replaced a noisy 1 1/2 hp. Dayton blower, the noise level of the larger fan rotating at a slower rpm was so much less I didn't need ear plugs. The key is, bigger fan, lower rpm. = less noise. Check with the people from Oneida Air Systems 1-800-732-4065 they have lots of good info and sell everything you need including silencers.