Noise level readings in the shop

[John Pratt]

I thought I would put this out as a supplement to the thread about hearing loss/protection without hijacking that thread completely. Recently, my shop had a noise survey completed to see what the exposure rates were for the different tools operated in the shop.

All the readings listed were with the machines under load (actually cutting, drilling, etc). Some of these machines may not apply to every shop, but since I do a little bit of everything, we tried to get the DB levels of a different range of tools in and around the shop that make noise. We didn’t get them all, but I’m sure you can extrapolate from these readings to compare to other tools in your shops. The readings were taken with an audiology department noise meter.

Caveat: Your machine noise levels may vary depending on manufacturer, work load, or other factors.



Tool
Noise level in DB
Tool
Noise level in DB


Air compressor (purge and fill)
92db
Metal chop/cut-off saw (table)
104db


Band saw
92db
Miter saw (12”)
103db


Belt sander (hand held, elec)
98db
Mortising machine
67db


bench grinder (metal)
90db
Nail gun (18ga, 100psi)
92db


biscuit jointer
88db
palm sander (1/4 sheet)
90db


Chainsaw (74cc, 24")
104db
Planer (20”)
88db


Circular saw (battery)
95db
push mower
94db


Circular saw (electric)
106db
random orbit sander (5")
88db


CNC machine
103db
reciprocating saw (battery)
94db


Drill (battery, handheld, 1/2"
85db
Riding lawn mower (54")
90db


Drill (elec, handheld, 1/2" chuck)
91db
Router (table mounted)
93db


Drill press (1hp)
77db
Sanding center (disk/belt combo)
87db


Drum sander (22/44)
80db
Scroll saw (20”)
80db


dust collector (from shop area)
75db
shop fan (exhaust)
70db


Earlex 5500 sprayer
80db
Spindle sander
72db


framing nailer (16P)
102db
Table saw (4/4 rip)
91db


Grinder (hand held, electric)
94db
Tormek sharpener
63db


Hammer drill/chisel
91db
weed trimmer
98db


Jig saw (battery)
96db
Worksharp 3000
72db


Jointer (8", 1/8” edge cut, 4/4)
92db
Welder (miller, mig)
68db


Lathe (16/42)
74db

[Brian Kent]

Thank you very much for this information.

[Rod Sheridan]

257832

Very interesting John, thanks for posting.

My Hammer A3-31 jointer/planer came with the following noise specifications, note that this is for the standard cartridge knife system.

Regards, Rod.

[Joe Hillmann]

A link to how loud it too loud over time.

http://www.dangerousdecibels.org/education/information-center/decibel-exposure-time-guidelines/

[John Schweikert]

How far from each tool was the reading made? Where an operators ears would be I assume. fascinated that a chainsaw and miter saw are the same. My Stihl chainsaw is deafening but my Makita miter saw isn't so bad.

Thanks for taking the time and it's an interesting chart to peruse.

Over the past few years I have purchased tools specifically for their lower sound than competitors, a Fein Turbo II, Makita MAC2400 compressor, new drill press, Mirka sander, Bosch router. I still wear ear plugs in my home shop all the time though.

[John Pratt]

All the readings were taken at approximately 1 1/2' to 2'. tried to replicate the distance ears are from the tool as best we could. Sometimes that was difficult because while I was operating the tool, someone else was holding the meter. Yesterday I wore a small dosimeter clipped to my shirt next to my ear for the whole day. It should give a reading of how much noise I was exposed to throughout the day. I don't have the results back from that one yet.

It is deinitely true about different manufacturers tools and noise. Especially with compressors. Oilless or oiled makes a huge difference. My small portable Porter Cable pancake probaly runs at about 115db whereas the large 80 gal IR runs at 92db, but it doesn't have to fill very often. My Grizzly 20" planer is leaps and bounds quieter than my old Dewalt 12".

The miter saw tested was a Dewalt DW718 and the chainsaw was a Stihl MS460.

[David Winer]

Your data are valuable for woodworkers but should be understood in context of hearing damage. The accepted environmental sound level standard is in A-weighted decibels (dbA), rather than db. We don't know if your measurements were taken in dbA, but presumably not. Some OSHA standards are attached.

[ray hampton]

the chart saith that riding mower dc are 92 but the rider are sitting on the seat between 4 to 6 feet from the cutting deck and the engine, what would the dc be at this distance ?


















































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[Ole Anderson]

John, thanks for taking time to make all of thos measurements.

Other than my dust collector (70 dBA at my table saw, saw not running), I haven't done any noise measurements. I just know that the only tools for I wear hearing protection when using is my Delta lunchbox planer and my router table, especially when using the big panel cutting bit. Oh, and my PC belt sander. I found that for me foam earplugs inserted as far as possible are quieter than earmuff style hearing protection.

[Jerry Thompson]

I think my loudest device in my place is the Shop Vac. I use ear muffs so much I don't remember to take them off. I have had some strange looks while using a hand plane with ear muffs.

[Darius Ferlas]

There are a few android (and I'm sure Apple) apps measuring the noise level. I cannot vouch for their precision, but based my some comparisons between the app's readings and manufacturers' specs hey seem pretty accurate.

[Ronald Blue]

Ear plugs are generally slightly more effective then muffs but can be used together as well. If you do much welding or torch cutting it is highly recommended that you use ear protection not for the noise but the risk of having hot slag or sparks enter the ear canal. Not a good thing I assure you. Also if you use an air arc you need the noise protection anyway so it does double duty.

[Denny Rice]

My wife says its too late for me, she says I'm almost deaf anyway...:D

[Lee Schierer]

Normally sound level readings should be taken from the normal operators position to be of value. Where were these readings taken in relation to where the machine operator would normally be?

[John Pratt]

Your data are valuable for woodworkers but should be understood in context of hearing damage. The accepted environmental sound level standard is in A-weighted decibels (dbA), rather than db. We don't know if your measurements were taken in dbA, but presumably not. Some OSHA standards are attached.

My apolgies for listing these as db. The readings are in fact DBA with an OSHA meter used by the hospital audiology center (I had to call and ask).

The person taking the readings was standing next to me for the reading, holding the meter over my shoulder close to ear level. this was true for most of the tools with a few exceptions for the sake of safety for me and the person taking the readings. There are some tools that just can't have two people standing next to each other that close and operate the tool safely.

When I get the reading back from the dosimeter I wore for the whole day in the shop I will attach the findings. That gives a better reading of how much noise I endured throuout the day. I will post what tools were used during that period as well.