Woodworking at night

[Tim Brennan]

I don't try and do woodwork or DIY at night because I am not sure the neighbours would complain about the noise. There isn't much noise because the shed is 50 feet from the houses, but I'd rather not chance it.

Often I'd like to pop down for 30 minutes - so it's a shame.

I looked up the noise control rules for my area and 6pm is the cut off for contractors. DIYers may be allowed to work beyond that time at the discretion of the local council.

I guess some people are more sensitive to noise than others, so is there a way of knowing when you are making too much noise?

Also, I imagine I can get away with more noise in the winter months when everyone has their double glazed windows shut.

 

[Davej]

Your local council will be able to advise you on acceptable decibel levels with regard to time of day etc for ' DIY' .  It's different at the weekend as well.
Dave. 

 

[jonny round boy]

Just work 'till 8 or 9 o'clock one night, then the following day go round and see the neighbours to 'apologise' for the noise, saying you got carried away & lost track of time, or you had to get something finished, or whatever. You'll be able to tell from their response whether they actually heard it or not.

Jonathan

 

[WarnerConstCo.]

I can run a dozer in town until 11pm.

Commercial property they can't do a thing.

 

[Kev]

Turn the music up REALLY LOUD and pretend you're having a party [wink]

 

[Stephen B]

[size=12pt]Depends what I am doing. Being semi rural you would think there would be no problem.

However my Thicknesser can be heard by a friend 2km away, and yet my immediate neighbour cannot hear me sanding.

 

[semenza]

  Fire up something noisy for a few minutes and walk around the neighborhood. Planer with DC, table saw with DC etc. Find out how loud it really sounds. Keep in mind that things like planers are generally noisier when actually running wood through. Wind direction will effect it too.

Seth

 

[Jesse Cloud]

I've tried working at night, but I am so tired that I make a lot of mistakes, not at all productive, wind up losing productivity the next day fixing the problems I created last night. [embarassed]

 

[WarnerConstCo.]

Prime time for me is 3pm until 11pm.  I hate the am. 

 

[Wenyce]

I stop running anything with a blade around 9-10 ish, it's tough to know if your making too much noise specially since u should be wearing hearing protection, but the suggestion of going ing till like 1am and then going to the neighbors next day to see what they say sounds like a good idea,

 

[mattfc]

I pretty much always do woodworking at night (so past 7pm) once the kids are in bed, only time I get.

I have had neighbours much closer than 50ft away with no complaints, though I used to avoid certain tools like my portable thicknesser. With routers use to use s slightly slower speed and feed rate, sanders are quite quite.

I should add though that my season was more through autumn and winter when people have their windows closed... summer a bit trickier. If you are on good terms with neighbours you could always try a sound test.. see if it bothers them

 

[sancho57]

Hi Mat,

I would talk to the neighbors first. Let them know that you want to do some work at night. Let them know if you get to loud for them to call you ad let you know and you will turn it down.

I find in those situations communication and understanding will solve a lot of issues.

Most people are reasonable though there is always one who is not.

But that is what I would do.

Though there is the "Its better to beg for forgiveness then ask for permission " philosophy. But I think a simple conversation will solve the issue. 

 

[RogerConnerTN]

I have the same problem with a big compressor.  I'm in a community workshop and we recently had to downsize.  Now we have neighbors who want the 3 HP compressor noise to go away.  I'm about to build a closet around the compressor using MLV and insulation.  Any ideas??

 

[ben_r_]

My community allows parties to go until 11pm before we are supposed to adhere to "sound ordinances", so as far as Im concerned using my machinery until 11pm is far game too. Though Im not sure Ive ever worked past 9ish as I start to get tired and thats never a good thing when working with dangerous tools. So when it starts getting late I generally move from the tools to the beers!

 

[Gregor]

I have the same problem with a big compressor.  I'm in a community workshop and we recently had to downsize.  Now we have neighbors who want the 3 HP compressor noise to go away.  I'm about to build a closet around the compressor using MLV and insulation.  Any ideas??

I have a similar problem with a neighbor of my moms, a muppet that runs a non-silent compressor basically the whole day - every day.

I offered him to gift him an enclosing which would make that thing noiseless, but he's quite antisocial (well, he has already been to court with basically everyone 300m around him, repeatedly) and refused because 'I like the sound'. Other neighbors tried to sue him to have peace and quiet in their gardens, but lost as he manages scrape just below legal limits. As we're not allowed to tar and feather him... I'm currently working on leasing the 20cm strip of land directly next to his plot (from his direct neighbor, who is also fed up with him, too old to fight himself but too young to not die soon enough to make it not matter) to erect a permit free (in that area) solar installation - construction of which will certainly he at any and all legal limits, like needing that nice and sturdy 25m x 4m x 20cm (LxHxD) concrete wall to not fall over.
Life could be so nice, if not for the ones without whom it would be better...

As you are interested in not annoying your neighbors... I searched a bit and here you go:

 

[ben_r_]

Or if you dont NEED lots of CFM get a California Air Tools compressor which are super quiet all on their own.

 

[Picktool]

but I'd rather not chance it.

There's your answer, keep the peace and you'll all sleep well.