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  1. #1
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    Default Dust collector noise problems

    I have started to get a few comments from my neighbours about the noise from my workshop. Not formal complaints yet, but clearly not happy! I think they are a bit over the top, but want to do something to mitigate noise levels if I can. I suspect that the dust collector is a substantial part of the problem, even though it is located as far as possible from the neighbour's house.

    The Unit I have is quite old I think - I got it third hand about 4 years ago. It is an Italian machine - Coral Leini - (it is also written Coraleini in one place). It has a 1.5 HP motor. It situated outside the workshop at the rear, under a scallion roof. I only use the DC for a bandsaw and lathe

    My first thought is to build an insulated enclosure of some sort, possibly using noise suppression fence panels.

    But I also wondered if there were any quieter solutions on the market? Noise levels do not feature in the specifications as far as I can see after a quick look.

    I would welcome any suggestions.

    Bruce

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  3. #2
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    Without some sound pressure level (SPL) measurements on your machine its hard to offer advice. Download an SPL app for your mobile and drag the DC outside and place it in as wide an open space as you can and take an SPL at waist height and 1m away from the DC. Don't do this measurement in the shed as reflections will affect the results.

  4. #3
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    Thanks Bob,

    The Dc is outside already and bolted to the wall.



    Downloaded a noise meter and took a reading about 1 m from the collector.



    Ambient noise level was a bit over 40 dB with passing helicopters and planes taking it up to about 70. You can see in the trace where the DC was switched on and off. It read almost spot on 80 dB.

    I took some more readings near the neighbour’s fence about 15 m from the workshop. I could hardly hear the DC over the ambient noise of breeze in the foliage etc and could not real see a distinct change in the trace. Bird calls were visibly higher on the trace.

    I also need to do some testing with my lathe noise but will need someone to take readings while I make noise.

    I am wondering if the shape of the neighbours’ house might also be acting like a reflector to focus the noise - which I think would make it not my problem?

    Bruce


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  5. #4
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    Maybe best to ask the neighbours which machines they can here that are disturbing them. For example, the DC being a constant and fairly low level noise may not be the problem, and you wouldn't want to go to the effort of enclosing it only to find out is wasn't the culprit. Stop/start noises are more likely to be the aggravating ones I suspect.
    Regards, FenceFurniture

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  6. #5
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    80 dB is not that bad for a DC but that's probably because its a small DC. Larger DCs are around 85-87 dB.

    An appropriate designed and built enclosure could easily be employed to get the noise down to mid 60 dB but as FF says it may not be the main problem.

  7. #6
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    personally Id be putting the noise meter on the neighbours fat gob whenever it opens or whenever SWMBO orders him to speak. I'll come stay for a few days a retune my road car in your yard...that will give the whinging cow something to gripe about.

    Friend of mine had a neighbour who complained about engine noise coming from his place, stupid neighbour should have done some research...mate is a registered motor mechanic works at home with all council approval and permits, neighbour was running a dog boarding kennels on the so called quiet...well he lost his business and reputation. Idiot.
    I would love to grow my own food, but I can not find bacon seeds

  8. #7
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    First things first when are you using your machinery? Are you running them early morning/late into the evening or running your machinery for hours at a time? If you are you'll have little chance pleasing your neighbours and may very well end up getting a letter from your local council to keep it down.

    Assuming that you're only powering up during "normal" hours, your DC noise measurements are not loud at all, so as per Fence Furniture's post speak to your neighbours to see which machines are really aggravating them. It might just be the constant drone, if it is take regular breaks during the day or run really loud machinery during the middle of the day for short periods.

    If they are not approachable I'd suggest start logging your DB levels using a reputable/calibrated noise meter as chances are you're probably not just going to give up woodworking and they're probably not going to move away so at some point you'll get a formal complaint at which point it'll be good to have some actual data on hand.

    The other thing i'd test is whether you app can physically record noises above 80 db, as some phone mic's/apps are unable to give readings above a certain level.

  9. #8
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    Quote Originally Posted by tonzeyd View Post
    The other thing i'd test is whether you app can physically record noises above 80 db, as some phone mic's/apps are unable to give readings above a certain level.
    Very good point.

    Of course it's quite possible that the reading is 80db due to pure coincidence, but I'd check the coincidence out just to make sure.

  10. #9
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    Never before 9.00 am, more likely 10. Rarely after 6.00 pm. I have tested the dB app to over 95 dB.

    And the noise level 1m from the machine is not that loud. You would have to raise your voice to be heard, but not shout.

    I have been doing some more testing of other things. I checked the noise of the lathe while using a roughing gouge on square hardwood and it was about 75 dB. Then made a noisemaker with flaps of strapping to generate a similar level so I can check what it is like outside. The sound is certainly audible on the other side of the yard, but hard to measure. The ambient noise was reading between 35 and 80 dB from the breeze in the trees, bird calls and the like. I probably need to wait for a still day.

    I am not at all concerned about a complaint to Council, because I am sure that my workshop noise is at reasonable levels. No jointer, thicknesser or table saw. Just the wood lathe, bandsaw and hand tool work. And I am at the local men’s shed two days a week.

    We have a few measures that we will offer in the spirit of being a good neighbour, but half expecting them to demand no noise at all. I am wondering if they are also tackling the three dogs on their other side.

    Bruce


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  11. #10
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    You can tackle this without touching your dusty.

    Talk to your neighbour (the concerned one) about their concern, let them vent, find out what time they are out or not at home.

    I talked to my neighbour about my woodwork hobby, they didnt even know I have a workshop, one of the reason is that when I am in my workshop working, they are out.

    and I also upgraded my machines to keep them quiet.

    You have to show you have taken all practical steps to lower your noise to keep neighbour/council happy. over here council only comes around when somebody laid persistent complaint.

    where I live the noise regulation in council district plan says you cant be over 65db at the boundary. on a windy day the rustling of tree branches or the ambient noise are over 65db.

    Unless you have loud stereo music going on in the middle of night council rarely confiscate your things.
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  12. #11
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    Quote Originally Posted by Albert View Post
    You can tackle this without touching your dusty.

    Talk to your neighbour (the concerned one) about their concern, let them vent
    Thanks Albert, that is exactly what we are trying to do. We have worked hard (and will continue to do so) to maintain good relations ever since they moved in.

    I have some options to reduce the problem but they are limited by the fact that we have already chosen the quietest options possible. The neighbours rarely go out and don’t seem to do much at all. It is difficult to know when they are out.

    I don’t think we will have an issue with a formal complaint. Even at the maximum I don’t think the noise would be over 50 dB at the boundary.

    I will be going back to them today with a plan involving using the DC only when absolutely necessary, installing a noise baffle around the DC, closing the doors and windows when turning and avoiding any key times they nominate (within reason). I am also going to ask where in the it property they hear the noise most, just in case there is a reverberation and focus effect on their side (quite likely I think).

    Bruce


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  13. #12
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    I've provided my Facebook IM and WhatsApp plus SMS to my neighbours.

    I've asked them to pop me a message whenever it is getting too late/noisy/annoying... Just In Case. Noise is a different thing to many people. I can tolerate some types (lawnmower... you know it will end), but not others (daytime TV for instance. Its pitched differently - it seems much more screetchy and yelling. I CAN'T stand it, at all)

    Nobody has mentioned it to me so far and I email them (rarely) to ensure they are still OK with everything.

  14. #13
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    H'mm, beginning to think that Tonto might be right and you've encountered one of those 'neighbour's from hell'. If that is the case the bad news is that you will probably have no luck in placating them. Have you tried showing them what you produce in the shed and 'bribing' them with a small gift?

    Of course it might also help if you're a big bloke, like woodPixel, and they therefore wouldn't want to get on the wrong side of you.

  15. #14
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    Quote Originally Posted by bruceward51 View Post
    I don’t think we will have an issue with a formal complaint. Even at the maximum I don’t think the noise would be over 50 dB at the boundary.
    It would better to measure the noise level at the boundary, rather than just guess.
    In terms of how much noise is "acceptable" this guide to industrial noise might be useful https://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/r.../ind_noise.pdf
    regards from Alberta, Canada

    ian

  16. #15
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    We had a still day today and I was able to get some good measurements of some different combinations of noise. The DC is the main issue. There is too much foliage to measure right at the fence, but even 3m our side of the fence, with everything going, the reading was about 50 dB.

    We sent the neighbours an email today outlining a range of things we can do, including shielding the DC and using it less often. They were reasonable in their reply and I think we got the point across that to a large extent, the problem is reverberation at their end, magnifying the sound. They have an outdoor living area that has a roof and two walls angled just about perfectly to act as a dish to focus sound from my workshop on the spot where they sit. Not their fault or mine - but we both have to live with it.

    And all exacerbated by the quiet nature of the area. Ambient noise was about 40 dB today, which is described as ‘whisper’ on the noise app.

    Anyway I am feeling a little better about it all after the exchange today. Now the challenge is to come up with a good noise muffling enclosure for the DC. Thinking of using noise suppression g fence panels.

    Thanks for all the advice guys - it has been helpful.

    Bruce


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