For no reason in specific I’ve decided it times to find a way to quiet down some of the machines in my workshop. I feel that my bandsaw (MM20) is needlessly loud, though it’s not due to anything mechanical that I am aware of.
I started this process so far by filling up the bottom of the main column with playsand, (poured into a plastic bag and sealed off). Knocking on the bottom of the column produces a nice dead thump. Next I will be lining the saw with CLD on all sheetmetal panels. Apparently even 25% coverage should reduce or eliminate the ringing produced by these panels when they are knocked on.
I also plan to line the interior of my jointer/planer and tablesaw. These machines are pretty acceptably loud but I’d like to see if I can knock them down a touch.
Perhaps it will do nothing, but perhaps it will do something. I’ve been spoiled by the few full cast iron machines that I have, but my understanding is that weldments can also be made exceptionally quiet.
Ive seen various approaches taken: granite epoxy is one, filling with pea gravel or sand is another, also filling with grout that doesn’t shrink and finally filling with silicone.