need advice building a sound box for compressor

[asensibaugh87]

Good Afternoon All

i am considering building a sound dampening box for my compressor and this is my idea. i am by no means an engineer thats why i would love some opinion. i am not looking to completely silence it just drop the sound down as my garage is in a condo and is extremely small and would like the neighbors not to complain as i'm working. i have read alot of forums and this is my idea from what i have gathered.

2x2 wood studs for a box frame 4'tall X 2' Depth X 2' wide (30 gallon compressor with approximately 4 inches on all sides.

outside do 1/2 to 3/4 plywood (More than likely 3/4 inch)

using 2 120mm (Large) computer fans for air flow one on the middle to push air in and one at the top to push hot air out (covered on the inside with a 90 degree angle to not allow sound out the large holes.

line it inside with 3/4 in foam insulation.

use caulk or something to seal all the cracks to make sure no sound escapes that is necessary

outside home light switch wired to an outlet plug to plug it in. and a home electrical outlet inside to power the compressor.

convert the drain plug to a ball valve with a hose to drain it outside the box easily without removing the compressor from the box.

the front of it will be open-able but sealed in the corners with window foam strips to keep sound from escaping. hinges on one side and a few latches on the other to keep it shut tight.


does this sound ok to dampen sound?

do you think this will allow for enough airflow to not over heat my compressor?

putting the compressor outside is not an option as i am in an HOA and they would kill me. i just need to dampen the sound a bit to make it workable for me when im inside and keep the neighbors from complaining.

the garage is no more than 20' wide X 30' Deep X 10' Tall. so as you can tell i dont have much room.

 

[MFolks]

see if ww grainger still sells the sheets of sound reducing foam,it needs to be glued down with contact cement,the foam can be cut easily with an electric carving knife.

 

[pepi]

Move it out doors, is the most affective way to lower the in shop DB od a compressor ......... just a fact of life.

 

[Gerald O]

I wouldn't bother trying to seal the gaps, the vetillation will totally make that useless.
And you'll need better ventillation than a couple computer fans. Think of the heat generated in terms of power consumption. Even a tiny 2hp compressor is dissipating something like 1500 watts.

 

[u3b3rg33k]

Move it out doors, is the most affective way to lower the in shop DB od a compressor ......... just a fact of life.

Condo association will LOVE this! reading fail.

putting the compressor outside is not an option as i am in an HOA and they would kill me. i just need to dampen the sound a bit to make it workable for me when im inside and keep the neighbors from complaining.

OP, sounds like you already have a compressor, but your best bet for staying on good terms with people might be buying one built for quiet from the start. Keep in mind your tools make noise, too. what are your CFM requirements?

 

[Slednut]

I built a box and put it outside, just the box makes a big difference so even though the OP has to leave it inside I'd make the box. If the OP put the right acoustic foam inside he'd be amazed how quit it is even though he has vents in it.

I put a soffit vent at the bottom that I can remove to gain access to the drain. I also put 6-4 inch holes in the back. Even in 90 degree temps my compressor has had no problems.

As said earlier I'd be worried about the air tools noise.

 

[The Cobbler]

you didn't mention the make/model of compressor, but start off with a belt driven oil lubed compressor rather than direct drive oilless . 1/2 your battle is won already

 

[brownbagg]

change the air filter. dont believe me, youtube

 

[mp4]

Pipe the intake outside - that's where most of the noise comes from.

 

[asensibaugh87]

see if ww grainger still sells the sheets of sound reducing foam,it needs to be glued down with contact cement,the foam can be cut easily with an electric carving knife.

I will check that out for sure, thanks

 

[asensibaugh87]

Unfortunantly i really cant nove it outside as much as i would love to. The compressor i have is a 30 gal husky. Its not the best but does what i need it to as far as basic air tools and basic quick painting. The air tool noise is bad but thats quick bursts. The compressor i have has the vent hidden inside plastic casing. Unfortunantly i dont have the funds to buy a oil based compressor atm but will be my next upgrade for sure. The hoa is super strict wheere i am so i have to be careful but until i can move i have to deal with it. #gerald what would you suggest to push alot of air in. I live in nv so we get some hot summers so i was concerned about that too. Even if i can take it down 20db or so would be tollerable though i guess my saws are pretty loud too ha ha. Guess i just need to move...

 

[larry4406]

https://www.zombie-box.com/

 

[pepi]

Condo association will LOVE this! reading fail.


OP, sounds like you already have a compressor, but your best bet for staying on good terms with people might be buying one built for quiet from the start. Keep in mind your tools make noise, too. what are your CFM requirements?

Good reason to NOT live or even funnier, own a CONDO... there is your fail..!

 

[tncatadjuster]

California Air Tools makes a not so loud unit , combined with a sound box.

 

[asensibaugh87]

Good reason to NOT live or even funnier, own a CONDO... there is your fail..!

Agreed BUT the rent is right in my city rent is redicilous right now. Luckily i dont own.

 

[Gerald O]

.. #gerald what would you suggest to push alot of air in. ...

Maybe a bathroom fan?

 

[asensibaugh87]

Thought about that too or how about a high air flow boat blower fan. They out out alot and can use tubing on it to keep sound levels down too

 

[Marctrees]

OP - Your general idea sounds good w a few changes -

To your design, fill panels w FG insul w the raw side toward comp.

The thicker the better.. w 2x4 wall I would get AT LEAST " 6" "

S it will kinda hang on the open to comp side, but so what.

Maybe staple some chicken wire over it to help support.

Computer fans are tiny as heck... something way bigger needed.

Even cheap walmart box fan for $22 bucks in one of your panels would be a frugal good enough method.

Go to "Advanced Search" and type in first cell "Compressor noise"

LEAVE ALL other cells at default.

TONS of old posts there discussing this.

Boat blower will be much noisier than like box fan, and not move as much volume I think.

Marc

 

[larry_g]

http://lumberjocks.com/topics/36276

I don't have a fan for you but the link above has a good description of a labyrinth noise filter. We used them on some vacuum pumps where I worked to control noise and they worked very well. Noise mainly travels in a straight line so the interlaced panels with noise canceling foam on them kills the noise but allows essentially free flow for the air.

lg
no neat sig line

The above is quoted from another post on the same subject.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[Marctrees]

Pipe the intake outside - that's where most of the noise comes from.

Yup, very good to do that.
No need for black pipe or anything heavy duty ,,, , PVC, or any sufficient ID flex hose pipe is fine.

Marc

 

[59 wagon man]

my compressor is inside a rubbermaid shed outside my garage if that's a possibility for you

 

[M_George]

I put a piece of scrap 1in foam panel under it with small pieces of plywood under the feet, and another against the wall behind it. This didn't stop all the noise, but absorbed quite a bit of it. Cost $0

 

[asensibaugh87]

so i have though about changing my plans a bit what if i did 5'5" tall by 3' by 3' instead giving it more head room and room around open and took the idea of a bathroom fan on top for vent. and maybe one on the side for intake if needed? the compressor itself is about 3' tall by 2' wide and deep i dont mind taking up the space and spending a bit more for soundproof boarding i just cant spend too horribly much on this at this point in time. i hope to have a new garage and home in the near furture but until then...

i really appreciate your ideas and help with this!

 

[Marctrees]

You really need THICK absorbing stuff like I said.

STUDY the archives, AND DISCERN to separate the Old Wife Tales from facts.

Marc

 

[Marctrees]

Bathroom fan is VERY lame.

Don't understand why you don't get that.

I have a true 5 hp 60 gal... when I sandblast I have a BIG fan hanging right over the pump/ motor and it still gets very hot.

STOP thinking tiny *** air movement.

Marc

 

[rayra]

I've built the cabinet the OP describes, but its lower sides and top are pegboard. And while it's cut the noise substantially, it's also trapping heat. But I don't use my compressor for hi-flow tools. So it isn't much of an issue. If I do anything prolonged like using a sander or die grinder, I try to limit the duty cycle, interrupt its use and do other things so the compressor doesn't get too hot.
I've been using this setup for just over 3yrs and it's working ok for me.
The only other thing I'd consider is some egg-crate style foam on its back wall and inside the door.

 

[vtcat]

A quiet Air Compressor like California Air Tools is the best place to start for your situation.
Sell your compressor to help with the purchase.