23 replies to this topic

[mini-reub]

Basically a local resident has complained about the noise of my angle grinder. I'm looking for alternative tools that don't make so much noise! The main culprit is the wire brush attachment.

 

To set the scene:

I rent a barn on a local farm to do the bodywork on the mini. I've been there about a year now, and i do 3 evenings (6pm-8pm) and 9am-12pm Sat & Sun a week. There are some houses but none closer than 200 meters. Obviously I'm not grinding the whole time, just in short bursts but one of the residents is complaining and threatening to go to the council.

 

Any suggestions would be much appreciated!

[rally1380]

I know your problem.

 

Best thing is to try and talk to them to ease any tension (easier said than done!!!).

 

You could try and shield the noise from traveling in their direction?

[Tamworthbay]

It may be a long shot but if you can find out who it is, go and have a chat, invite them to see the project. Most people love minis and if they see the project and understand that this is a temporary situation and won't go on for ever then the problem might go away. It doesn't always work but you have nothing to lose!

EDIT: ^^^^^ got in before me!

Edited by Tamworthbay, 29 May 2013 - 10:38 AM.

[mini-reub]

Good advise, thanks guys I'll go and have a word tonight.

The farm owner mentioned moving the car into the workshop (aluminium shell). Will that reduce or amplify the noise do you think?

[lrostoke]

You'll probably find legally you are OK, Couldn't find anything official but general consensus seems to be between 9am and 9pm you are fine.

 

If its a single skin aluminium shell it could echo

[Shifty]

Flap discs are quieter than the solid discs and also a plasma cutter is an awful lot quieter as well.

[Ethel]

Try and kill some of the panel resonance with carpet underlay, rubber car mats... You could also clamp or wedge it in place with some timber. A lot of the annoyance will be anticipation as much as the noise itself, try and agree when you'll use your grinder in advance.

[mini-reub]

I think you're right about the resonance, I'm gunna try one of these instead of the wire brush attachment:

 

http://www.ebay.co.u...29769381&_rdc=1

[lrostoke]

They aren't bad those abrasive discs, got one fits in a drill, shifts paint and rust pretty well..they come in different grades

[mini-reub]

Great! Are they quieter/less resonance compared to a wire brush attachment?

[1275GTS]

I used those disks and they are good at removing paint, don't seem to damage the panels and are quieter.

[mini93]

Part the reason my projects taken so long is because noise complaints.

My neighbours imediatly next door dont complain (and when i had some new neighbours move in I spoke to them before i started work back on the car, they said dont worry about it!)

The problem i have is from 1 neighbour who lives about 200yards away around a corner in some shonky house with single glazing... pfft even broad daylight she complains. shes complained to the council who did nothing! ha

but I find myself not wanting to work when its too nicer day as I dont want to disrupt folk in their gardens. I should stop being so considerate and just get the mini done haha!

[1984mini25]

Part the reason my projects taken so long is because noise complaints.

My neighbours imediatly next door dont complain (and when i had some new neighbours move in I spoke to them before i started work back on the car, they said dont worry about it!)

The problem i have is from 1 neighbour who lives about 200yards away around a corner in some shonky house with single glazing... pfft even broad daylight she complains. shes complained to the council who did nothing! ha

but I find myself not wanting to work when its too nicer day as I dont want to disrupt folk in their gardens. I should stop being so considerate and just get the mini done haha!

Pretty much the same although, I only tend to get the fun on verbal abuse as they haven't go the brains how to complain properly. I just get one with it, they know what they can do if they don't like it and if I didn't, they would only have to find something else to moan about.

[rally1380]

Sounds a bit daft, but try and put some sort of dense materialed curtain around the area you are working that will absorb some of the noise.  Grinders and panel beating are very noisey anyway (even with those new type of strip discs) so to actually stop the noise from getting out is probably a better solution in the long run.

 

Any material you use for the curtain make sure its not flamable or you could end up making a curtain of flames for yourself!!!

 

There are sound proofing products out there that might be worth a look if your chat falls on deaf ears....bad joke!!!

 

Also, cheap grinders make way more harsh noise than more expensive ones like Makita's...plus Mak's are smoother and nicer to use.....just a thought

[rodandtom]

I use a DeWalt grinder. It spins at 9000 rpm and could wake the dead no matter what attachment I have on it.

 

I try get the grinding done in bursts. so I weld up what I can and then do my grinding in one hit.

 

Having said that I have said to the neighbours that if I am making too much noise then to tell me and I will stop.

 

So far they are cool with it but I do try to be considerate. If they are sitting in their garden enjoying the sun then I dont grind.

 

If you cant reach a compromise then look up your legal position and inform them. That's all you can do.

 

Rod