Air Compressor Noise Chamber/ Suppressor

[HotRodJoe]

I'm looking for a good design for an enclosure for my air compressor in our shop. It is driving us nuts when it runs and I was going to build something of an enclosure to quiet it.

Any ideas/suggestions on this?
Has anyone done this before?

Here's what we were going to do.
1/2" Plywood box with 1" Pink Foam Insulation inside. Over the Pink Insulation we were going to put that silver fire proof type insulation layer (thin foily type stuff to keep the foam from melting ever).
I figured that would quiet the thing pretty well, but not 100% sure.

What say you fellas/gals?

 

[930dreamer]

Do a search here, it's come up in discussion before.

 

[Fixnair]

First of all what model compressor do you have? Many compressors can be considerably silenced with a muffler on the intake. Secondly, if you do build a soundproof enclosure be sure to allow for heat dissipation. Also allow air to enter the enclosure for the compressor to breath.
Was called on a job in San Diego years ago to investigate a problem in a city garage building. Seems they were bothered by the compressor noise too so they built a noise proof room around the compressors. First day it was operating the ceiling caved in bringing with it a young lady sitting at her desk in the floor above. Seems the room was so airtight the compressors sucked all the air out of the room and the resulting vacuum was too much for the ceiling to withstand.
Another engineering endeavor that conforms to the law of in intended consequences.

 

[SplitSsss]

I have a 60 gal Porter Cable upright unit. It was so loud! Even in an insullated room with an insullated door, I couldn't hear the radio! So I bolted it to the floor with 4" rubber isolation mounts I found on ebay. Originally for an Abrams Tank! Wow what a difference!
Now with the door closed you can hardly hear the unit when it runs.
Not sure if he is still selling them. ([email protected])( item #280412642801)
You could also use auto engine mounts with a little work. I highly recommend using this setup along with an insullated room.

 

[DHS]

I have a 60 gal Porter Cable upright unit. It was so loud! Even in an insullated room with an insullated door, I couldn't hear the radio! So I bolted it to the floor with 4" rubber isolation mounts I found on ebay. Originally for an Abrams Tank! Wow what a difference!
Now with the door closed you can hardly hear the unit when it runs.
Not sure if he is still selling them. ([email protected])( item #280412642801)
You could also use auto engine mounts with a little work. I highly recommend using this setup along with an insullated room.

I have a similar experience. I bought the 60 gallon Husky compressor on sale land first wired it up on the pallet. Very loud, but after I made my on "pallet" with rubber isolation pads it was much better. I also stuck a piece of old garden hose on the intake snorkel its down to where you can easily talk to someone while standing next to it.

I made my isolation pads out of pieces of conveyor belting and some kids foam play mats. I did not tighten the bolts down but rather stopped then before they touched the feet and double nutted them.

 

[KCarGuy]

My 60 Gallon upright Campbell Hausfeld is on rubber feet and I added 14" of iron pipe to the intake (out 4", 90 up and then 12" before screwing Air Filters back on).
Eliminating Vibration transfered through the floor and better breathing made a huge Difference.
Then, its also in its own room...Its like its not even there anymore.

 

[andywander]

First of all what model compressor do you have? Many compressors can be considerably silenced with a muffler on the intake. Secondly, if you do build a soundproof enclosure be sure to allow for heat dissipation. Also allow air to enter the enclosure for the compressor to breath.
Was called on a job in San Diego years ago to investigate a problem in a city garage building. Seems they were bothered by the compressor noise too so they built a noise proof room around the compressors. First day it was operating the ceiling caved in bringing with it a young lady sitting at her desk in the floor above. Seems the room was so airtight the compressors sucked all the air out of the room and the resulting vacuum was too much for the ceiling to withstand.
Another engineering endeavor that conforms to the law of in intended consequences.

I'd like to see that compressor....

 

[HotRodJoe]

Thanks guys for all the comments! I have a 60 Gallon Vertical single stage 6 HP Campbell Hausfeld (similar to Husky) - sounds like SplitSsss has the same one? I will do the rubber isolation mounts and a muffler on the intake. I am encouraged that you can get so much reduction without actually building an enclosure. I do understand the need for the enclosure to breathe, so no worries there, but I never tried putting it up on rubber feet. Right now, it is directly sitting on the concrete without anything in between.
I'll let you know what I find when I do this.

 

[HotRodJoe]

I tried insulating the bottom of the tank, but it didn't help much. A muffler helps a little, but not that much. So, I built an insulated cabinet.
NOTE: There is a vent area in the top of the cabinet to allow heat out.

Check out the link to my box I built.
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=712&page=2