Hello All,
I’m building a router table utilizing an onld bathroom vanity cabinet and a piece of 3/4″ Baltic Birch Plywood for the top. Currently I have a Porter Cable 1 3/4 HP Single Speed Router mounted to the table. The reason that I’m writing this is because when I start up the router, I am literally chased out of my 30 x 60 shop by the screaming noise! What should I do? I have mounted the router base to the top with a heavy rubber gasket in between the metal base and the plywood to try and deaden this sound, but it did no good. Do I need to buy a different router like the Porter Cable 7518? Looking for help.
Thanks,
Mike
Replies
Chestnut,
Hearing protection....they are all loud.
BG is right, routers are loud, and hearing protection is absolutely necessary. But it's possible there's something about your installations that's unusual. Is the router as loud when it's not in the table?
WHAT DID YOU SAY MIKE? I can't hear ya' over that NOISE!
Could be that you have made a 'SOUND BOARD'?
Do I need to buy a different router like the Porter Cable 7518?.. I'd get the best the wife will let ya' have and put up with the noise it will make too!
ChestnutWwking
I agree with BG and John D. Routers are just plain loud. Hearing protection is a good idea any time, but particularly when using a router. Making your table with an enclosed cabinet base goes a long way toward reducing noise, but the router is going to be loud, no matter what.
I question adding a rubber gasket between the router and table. You really want the router perfectly stable and 90 degrees to the table, and I don't think the gasket helps that.
Edited 5/9/2006 7:33 pm ET by Mike_B
Is the cabinet enclosed? There's a material that's used under hoods of cars that deadens road/engine noise you could try?
Such as this: http://www.eastwoodco.com/jump.jsp?itemID=2556&itemType=PRODUCT
Routers usually produce loud but smooth sound as compared to power planer or impact drill. The sound reduces slightly on solid table-top.
I used to do routing work at night and so far no complaint from my neighbour.
Masrol
If the sound is worse when the router is mounted in the cabinet, you've discovered resonance. You need to add mass and damping to whatever's vibrating (most likely the walls of the cabinet). I've had some luck gluing rubber-backed outdoor carpet to the inside. It will catch some dust though. A layer or two of drywall might also help. Just make sure it's firmly attached to the inside of the panels with glue. I've never tried homosote, but it's cheap and would probably work well too.
Pete
Two tips, possibly helpful: 1/2" shank bits are quieter than 1/4". Heavy construction will help.
There are various router table reviews out there, I'd look for one that gets props for being quieter than the others and look closely at how it's constructed. I suspect what you'll find is heavy, nearly sealed enclosures and tight construction that helps reduce vibration. I keep the ear muff type hearing protection close at hand, it's easy on and off which works better in a shop when you're changing tasks all the time.
The 7518 is much more quiet at the lower speeds, less intense, pleasant by comparison. Hearing damage is cumulative, so, always wear protection.
Beat it to fit / Paint it to match
This forum post is now archived. Commenting has been disabled