Quieter Leatherworking Question

[Urshag]

I live in a 3 floor house built in the 1800's that was converted into 3 apartments each floor a separate apartment. I live on the third floor and below me on the second floor lives the stereotypical old lady who bangs on her ceiling with a broom whenever I start hammering to tool some leather, set a rivet, punch a hole, etc etc.

I TRY to do everything I can to accommodate her delusion that she can expect to have total silence 24/7 as if she lived in a house on the edge of nowhere instead of in a very old building with walls and floors that are still intact only by the grace of God, bailing wire and spit.

I only do any hammering between 9am and 9pm but still, if I hammer more than a few minutes here and there she makes a grab for her broom and she starts poking holes in her ceiling with it.

So to get to the meat of my question, I want to find a quieter way to punch holes, set rivets, eyelets etc.

Now I have a slab of granite on a folding table for my work like that. (Sorry, I live in an apartment and I have no resources for a proper workbench.)

I have heard that putting a layer of closed cell foam under the slab can lessen the impact but I am not sure if that's true. So my questions are:

1. Will putting a layer of closed cell foam (AKA Tandy's "Poundo Board) under my granite slap help?
2. How about using a hand press? Tandy's is too expensive, but how about something like the Homepro? http://www.amazon.com/Homepro-Lr-Inch-Reach-Tool/dp/B003LVLYCS
3. As for a hand punch, I have a cheapo rotary one that never seems to line up with the anvil properly. How about a more expensive one such as: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=310318187942 or http://cgi.ebay.com/8-3-4-Professional-Leather-Punch-Plier-Stainless-Steel-/140497083123 ?

Any other suggestions are welcome. Anything to stop her complaining! lol

Thanks!

Dennis

[TwinOaks]

The only way to prevent the sound transmission through the floor is to stamp/set/pound/hammer somewhere there won't BE any transmission to the floor. My suggestions would be do as much of your 'regular' work at the table as far as carving, drawing, tracing, etc., and when you need to use the maul/hammer set the slab in your lap or on your bed. The slab has enough mass to absorb the impact of the tool/punch, but if it's on a surface that doesn't transmit vibration, then she won't hear it as well, or at all.

.....or you could sneak into her place and 'misplace' the hearing aids.....

...but really, if it's that big of an issue, you might consider sitting outside (weather permitting) to do the 'loud' work. It might even garner you some interest by some customers if they see you working.

[Urshag]

The only way to prevent the sound transmission through the floor is to stamp/set/pound/hammer somewhere there won't BE any transmission to the floor. My suggestions would be do as much of your 'regular' work at the table as far as carving, drawing, tracing, etc., and when you need to use the maul/hammer set the slab in your lap or on your bed. The slab has enough mass to absorb the impact of the tool/punch, but if it's on a surface that doesn't transmit vibration, then she won't hear it as well, or at all.

.....or you could sneak into her place and 'misplace' the hearing aids.....

...but really, if it's that big of an issue, you might consider sitting outside (weather permitting) to do the 'loud' work. It might even garner you some interest by some customers if they see you working.

Thanks for the reply!

The bed idea is good, I might try that. But the outside thing is just not feasible sadly.

There isn't really anyplace on the property except the driveway and climbing down and then back up two flights of stairs every single time I need to use a maul would probably get tiresome very quickly.

I'm also hoping for to hear some thoughts on the punches I linked or the Homepro I linked as well. They may help as well to eliminate the noise from hole punching and simple settings.

Dennis

Edited May 19, 2011 by Urshag

[radar67]

I use the rotary Pro punch that Tandy sells. It is well made and has a lifetime warranty on the frame. The only part you have to replace are the tubes. There may be better out there, but I am happy with the one I have.

[wareagle]

The key to noise control is to isolate hard to hard surfaces that move or bounce.

what is usually done is vibration pads to break the path from the table legs to the floor, a foam mat like they use at the checkout works, if budget is a concern wash cloths or towels under the legs of the table.

the next thing is mass you need a lot of mass to keep the the vibrations down the marble helps but I would think about a heavier table or a log at table hight to absorb the inertia of th4e hammer blows before it gets to the floor.

as to the punches I use the tandy pro and it works great .

[KAYAK45]

Several people use a carpet remnant directly under the marble. Helps with noise, and seems to avoid some double strikes and bounce. Try that with wareagle's idea of leg insulation, of different kinds if necessary.

That should do the trick.

I just cannot help visualizing the pounding leather in bed, late at night. Huuuum?

[Urshag]

I use the rotary Pro punch that Tandy sells. It is well made and has a lifetime warranty on the frame. The only part you have to replace are the tubes. There may be better out there, but I am happy with the one I have.

Hmmm. I know when it comes to tools you get what you pay for, and I'm sure the Tandy Pro is worth every penny, but at $60 it's out of my price range at the moment. Does anyone have any experience with this:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=280567873751

or this:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=350461432137

Thanks!

Dennis

[infomage]

I agree on the you get what you pay for in tools. You arelooking at spending $20 on a maybe tool that is 1/3 of the way to the Tandy.The other option would be to get single punches you would use a maul with untilyou can afford the Tandy. As for sound deadening the first thing i would do ismove off of the card table. You would be better off putting the marble slab ona carpeted floor. May sound strange but it should be less noisy than the cardtable. If you could get some cheap used lumber you could build a simple solidwork table till you could get something better. I built my first work bench outof pallets not easy but it was solid. Do not be afraid to look around as youmight find you can cobble something out of a couple of old tables to makesomething that will work

Tlong

Think Positive Be Positive

[mrdabeetle]

Make her some earmuffs!

[BIGGUNDOCTOR]

Do a forum search for noise, quiet, etc. This has been covered a couple of times this past year.

Wood transmits sound very well, that is why it is used in so many musical instruments.

See if you can set up a small shed to use as a workshop.

Find another location, like a friend's garage, to do your work.

Go talk to your neighbor, and see if you two can work something out. Maybe make something that she can use, and give it to her to break the ice.

If she is that picky, you may not be able to get enough mass density under your slab to make her happy.

Look on Craigslist for used tools, as well as garage sales, fleamarkets, and other venues to get a better price.