How i silenced my air compressor

[groucho]

I have a 60 gallon upright that i put in a corner of my shop. I took a 4' X 8' sheet of 3/4" plywood and ripped it in half the long way. I stood both pieces up the long way, and nailed them together at right angles of eacother. I then glued house insulation inside the 2 pieces, and slid the unit towards the corner where the compressor was. It completed a square with the existing shop walls. The pieces of plywood were a few inches shy of each wall, but i stuffed a little leftover insulation in the opening. With the top wide open for cooling, i could stand next to it while talking on the phone. REALLY made a difference. CHEAP-FAST-EASY. I hope this makes sense, as i'm not too good at explaining things sometimes

 

[bmwpower]

What type of compressor is it? Oil-less or oil lubed?

 

[groucho]

Oil lubed. Years ago i bought an oiless, direct drive. When i turned that SOB on, i thought someone was spraying my shop with a F&*@ing machine gun! I unplugged it, and brought it back.

What type of compressor is it? Oil-less or oil lubed?

 

[jackfrost1031]

I have a friend who used an old spin on oil filter as the air filter for his large (60g) compressor and it makes a notable difference in sound.

 

[Your Mom]

I've been looking everywhere for stuff to silence my compresor. its a 60gal too.

This is pretty much the only thing i can find. and i'm not very confident.
http://www.compressorpartsstore.com/product-p/sf 15 3-fslash-4.htm

I'm glad to hear that your idea worked. i thought about enclosing it but we always need to get to the bottom of it to release the water.

My only concern is the heat, i painted my car recently and that thing was almost glowing. So i think i might steal your idea and leave a gap at the bottom so i can release the water and if i it gets used that much again i can always set a fan on the floor or on top to help cool it.

Thanks groucho

 

[groucho]

One thing might resolve both issues. This thing just slides away from the wall to access the drain on the bottom. It's free-standing. I don't know how often you paint cars, but maybe you can slide this a half foot away from the wall when you do? Anyway, i had mine like this for 13 years

4.htm[/url]

I'm glad to hear that your idea worked. i thought about enclosing it but we always need to get to the bottom of it to release the water.

My only concern is the heat, i painted my car recently and that thing was almost glowing. So i think i might steal your idea and leave a gap at the bottom so i can release the water and if i it gets used that much again i can always set a fan on the floor or on top to help cool it.

Thanks groucho

 

[1320stang]

As I understand it, the biggest source of noise is the air inlet. I haven't fired up my new 2 stage compressor yet, but I eventually plan on running the air filter/intake up thru the ceiling to the attic. It'll be right next to the drop down stairs, I don't know how often you're supposed to change the filter, but it'll be easy to get to.

 

[arkracing]

Also - for anyone who hasn't purchased a compressor yet, look to see what RPM it is turning. The lower the RPM the less noise it will make. Not always your #1 concern when choosing the compressor

but I would suggest figuring out what size you need and then seeing what "reputable" machines run @ the lowest RPM while still providing the CFM you need.

The insulating wall is a good idea as well as getting the air inlets outside or up in the attice or to somewhere where you aren't working.

My ultimate set up would be to have the machine outside in a shed or build a special room for it.

 

[1320stang]

Yeah, that's why I got rid of my direct drive 3450 rpm compressor and went with this 1725 rpm (I assume as that's typical) belt drive unit, but the new one is 2 stage.

 

[bmwpower]

Yeah, that's why I got rid of my direct drive 3450 rpm compressor and went with this 1725 rpm (I assume as that's typical) belt drive unit, but the new one is 2 stage.

It's not so much the MOTOR speed, but the PUMP speed since it's the one responsible for the sucking of the air.

You've quoted a common motor speed (1725RPM). The pump speed is often way less, usually around 900-1200 RPM for the ones I've seen.

 

[groucho]

Of course. I was just offering a "down and dirty" quicky solution anyone could do for just a few bucks in less than an hour that really makes a difference. People would be in my shop when the compressor clicked on, and ask, is that your compressor? Where'd you hide it? Man, that's quiet. When i showed them it was only 12-15 feet away, it surprised them

My ultimate set up would be to have the machine outside in a shed or build a special room for it.

 

[TNToy]

Good to know. I was planning on attaching it to the wall with a couple of quick-release clips and framing it with 2x4s... but this is pretty much the plain I already had in my head before you posted.

Glad to hear it works.

I'm planning on extending the drain valve through the side of the "wall"... and positioning the plug out there, too. Turning it on & off, and draining the tank, are the everyday reasons for needing access. Other stuff, you don't need to do so often.

 

[dodgedartgt]

Another source of the noise to keep in mind is the ringing of the tank itself from the pump vibration. Tap on the tank with your knuckle and listen to the ring. Now, dampen that vibration by grabbing hold of the tank and tap again. You'll have a thud instead of a high frequency ring. I've been wondering what effect wrapping the tank with Dynamat or something similar would have.

I've recently mounted my 60gal upright on some rubber tire swivel casters from Harbor Freight to make it mobile, so I can move it and the noise outside when the weather is suitable. Just being on casters lowered the sound level somewhat by reducing the vibration transferred to the concrete floor.

I've also considered moving and mounting the pump/motor combo outside or just making that portion mobile for a smaller package, say on a furniture dolly. If mounted permanently outside, the trick here in FL would be to protect it from the rain, keep the insects and frogs out of the motor, pullies and belts and isolate it's vibration from whatever I mount it on. (I guess better to mount it to a block and concrete structure than to stick built.)

Keep in mind the pressure switch needs to stay with the main tank, or a supplemental resevoir needs to be provided at the pump to avoid also running the electrical back to the tank along with the air. If you just "T" the pressure switch into the supply line, the points will start chattering or hammering on and off as you get close to shut-off pressure. DAMHIK

Mike Bynum

 

[ConstructionBoss]

In my ;ast shop I bought rubber issolation pads from Grainer and rounted the intake into the laundry room (seperate room from both the main house and garage) and then I had the compressor in a framed in closet with an insulated steel door. You never knew that thing was running when I was working in the shop. Cost a little bit more than groucho's setup, but I had planned it all along since the initial phases of construction so the biggest cost was really just the floor space and the steel door. The rest was integrated to use the framing from closing off the laundry room and the storage/AV center next to the A/C closet. Here's a link to my post of the old garage. Not to many detailed pics of the intake or feet but you can see the layout. http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=616

P.S. In the picture below the intake was relocated back to the factory location on the pump because I didn't want any problems with the new homeowner the first time he fired up the compressor while the wife was doing laundry. It got a little loud in that room!

 

[1320stang]

Hmm, you guys don't seem to address the cooling needs for the compressor. I know my old direct drive Craftsman 60 gal compressor got really hot. My new 2 stage Delta says it needs to be place 12" off a wall. I've got it about 9" off the wall, any further and I can't drop my stairs down to get into the attic, but it's not in a corner so I'm hoping to have sufficient airflow around it.

 

[edl]

Hi all - seeing mostly indoor solutions - i went outdoors with the whole set up - built a 4x4x12 wooden frame, poured concrete with J bolts, cut up an old tire into 4 squares - drilled holes and put over bolts - bolted (hand tight) compressor on - then built a little structure using treated wood - corrugated galvanized for roof - plastic lattice with pinkboard inside (big squares cut out for cooling) for walls - one 2" hole into garage for line - 1/2" for electric - seems to work fine - sounds about like your a/c compressor when it kicks on - good luck - thanks, stephen

 

[Raven1911]

Anyone have any solutions for an inside set up for a 33 gallon laydown style compressor? Can you cover the top of the compressor and leave a space at the bottom for air circulation and sound proof material inside?

 

[groucho]

I would try my original deal, sideways instead of upright (covering the front and top), and see how much noise comes out the 2 ends? It's a cheap, fast experiment. For how mine did not completely surround my compressor, it shocked me and my customers/friends how effective it was.

Anyone have any solutions for an inside set up for a 33 gallon laydown style compressor? Can you cover the top of the compressor and leave a space at the bottom for air circulation and sound proof material inside?

 

[Raven1911]

I'll try it and tell you my results. Thanks!

 

[KingPerformance]

Another source of the noise to keep in mind is the ringing of the tank itself from the pump vibration. Tap on the tank with your knuckle and listen to the ring. Now, dampen that vibration by grabbing hold of the tank and tap again. You'll have a thud instead of a high frequency ring. I've been wondering what effect wrapping the tank with Dynamat or something similar would have.
Mike Bynum

Along these lines, I wonder how some of thoes roll on truck bed liners would fair with this.

 

[89lesabre]

...My ultimate set up would be to have the machine outside in a shed or build a special room for it.

That's what I did with my oil-less compressor. Put it out back in the shed. Also used the shed as a changing room for the hot tub so was out there regularly so no problem to check it out and drain it. Left it on all the time and never had a problem with it. That is til me and the ol' lady split and she gave it to her dad!!!

 

[pgreen]

This is pretty much the only thing i can find. and i'm not very confident.
http://www.compressorpartsstore.com/product-p/sf 15 3-fslash-4.htm

I used a similar larger intake filter on my CH cast iron compressor. Also put synthetic oil in it, since it only takes less than a quart and doesn't get changed very often. These two things made a HUGE difference. If you do this and some kind of insulating wall around it, I don't know if you would even hear it. The intake filter seems to smooth out the "THUD THUD THUD" sounds.

 

[DanC]

can anyone explain to me some options for a filter on the intake?

 

[KingPerformance]

can anyone explain to me some options for a filter on the intake?

Someone mentioned they simply used an oil filter. Seems logical to me. The inlet is usually threaded, just find an oil filter that is the same size and threaded the same, or buy some simple plumbing adaptors. I'm looking at a tripple piston unit and thinking about an OEM style exhaust system muffler from something like a Honda etc ... to quiet down the intake.

 

[Spiderman]

My shop is a steel corrugated building. I adheared insulation to the wall directly behind the motor on my compressor and it quieted it down alot.

Along the lines of your insulated wall, I was thinking of using an old broke refridgerator to surround my comp. Just gut it out, cut the back out of it and roll it over compressor.

I know there will be size issues but that is what a sawzall is for.

 

[groucho]

Why cut the back of it? Just "lose" the door and roll it over, no?

Along the lines of your insulated wall, I was thinking of using an old broke refridgerator to surround my comp. Just gut it out, cut the back out of it and roll it over compressor.

I know there will be size issues but that is what a sawzall is for.

 

[The Money Pit]

I too am going to place my compressor in my closet under the stairs. Was there any heat build up issues? I know the manufacturer recommends more space around the compressor than I will have with the door shut.

 

[ovilla]

Don't mean to get too off-topic but if anyone is looking at getting a new air compressor, check out the Craftsman 2-stage units. I just bought a 30 gal upright and it comes with a 1.6HP motor that is advertised as being 40% quieter and it sure is. Honestly, you can have a phone conversation right next to the unit as it's only about as loud as a blender on high. I know that this isn't a monster 60 gal but it puts out 175 PSI and will work with framing nailers and impact guns and other light duty DIY needs. I'm remodeling my basement right now and just like the fact that you don't even hear it on the 1st or 2nd floor.

 

[bmwpower]

Don't mean to get too off-topic but if anyone is looking at getting a new air compressor, check out the Craftsman 2-stage units. I just bought a 30 gal upright and it comes with a 1.6HP motor that is advertised as being 40% quieter and it sure is. Honestly, you can have a phone conversation right next to the unit as it's only about as loud as a blender on high. I know that this isn't a monster 60 gal put it puts out 175 PSI and will work with framing nailers and impact guns and other light duty DIY needs. I'm remodeling my basement right now and just like the fact that you don't even hear it on the 1st or 2nd floor.

gotta link?

 

[ovilla]

Here's the one I got. It's actually a 25 gal (not a 30) but it's great. I hardly even notice that it's on and it does seem to hold a lot more volume of air than the older 30 gal 4-HP (125 PSI) unit I had, which was constantly cycling on and off. It's also a little top heavy but really easy to move around the room or through doors.

Craftsman Professional 25 gal. Air Compressor, 1.6 hp, Vertical Tank, 2-Stage Oil Free Pump *Got it on sale for $399 (Normally $439)


http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/product.do?pid=00916778000&vertical=Sears&BV_UseBVCookie=Yes

 

[Major Ramifications]

can anyone explain to me some options for a filter on the intake?

You can check TPtools, McMaster Carr, Grainger, etcetera for compressor filters. I changed the cheapie plastic-cased filter with the small piece of what looks like white ScotchBrite inside to a nice Solberg with a paper element. I had tried a K&N crankcase breather on it (I drilled and tapped the urethane base to fit a pipe ******) for a while, and that worked well, too.
Most of the noise on my compressor does NOT come from the air inlet. The ringing of the 60 gallon tank seems the loudest.

 

[kbs2244]

Major:
If your tank is ringing try going to a plumbing supply house for the lead strips they use on PVC drain pipes. One of the problems with PVC compared to the old cast iron drains is the lack of mass to absorb the vibrations of a lot of water going through them. Like when a toliet is flushed. People were complaining about the noisy pipes. The solution was self adhisive lead strips to give the pipes enough mass to provide sound absorbsion.
It might work for you.
That, and is you compresser isolieted from the tank?

 

[Kong]

Anyone have any solutions for an inside set up for a 33 gallon laydown style compressor? Can you cover the top of the compressor and leave a space at the bottom for air circulation and sound proof material inside?

I built a box for mine that is insulated. The compressor sits on rubber mats. I put a cushion on top of it and it looks like a seat bench in my garage. The top and front of the box is hinged so I just pull on the handle at the bottom and have access to the whole compressor. If I am using the compressor for a long time heavily I just lift the cover up to reduce heat build up.

Kong

 

[thor]

For my 60 gal CH, I welded a solberg housing to a brigs and stratton muffler, quieted mine down a lot, but my tank still rings. I haven't put it on isolaters yet either but plan to.