How To Reduce Noise To Avoid Angry Neighbors?

[panchoskywalker]

I live in the 2 floor of a building and I'm worried about the noise I make when I use the hammer, is there any tip to reduce noise?

[Grey Drakkon]

Marble/granite slab on a SOLID surface. If you have it on a desk then you get an amplified BANG each time you hit (plus it makes your slab bounce a bit). Try putting it in different spots and listen while giving a few whacks.

[panchoskywalker]

Hello, thank you. Do I have to put a piece of something underneath the leather to avoid damaging my tools?

[TwinOaks]

Your leather goes directly on the slab. The effort is to get as solid of a surface under the leather as possible....so, no padding between the two. You should, however, look at placing a pad under the slab. There's been more than a few people who've bedded their slab in a 'sand box' - just an open top box with a really close fit to your slab and filled with sand. You might also look at placing some sort of padding under the legs of the table you're using. If all else fails, get some DRY sand, fill up a few heavy bags and place the legs of your table ON the sandbags (with adequate precautions to prevent puncturing). What you're looking to do is isolate the vibrations that would otherwise travel through leather to the slab, from the slab to the table/desk, and through the table/desk to the floor.

[panchoskywalker]

what if I put the slab directly on the floor on the balcony?

[WinterBear]

Sound might travel from the slab to the balcony, and you might wind up with the effect of a very big drum. Putting the slab in a sandbox that is on the balcony floor might prevent that.

[panchoskywalker]

Thanks, I will try that.

[taintedelephant]

Hello, thank you. Do I have to put a piece of something underneath the leather to avoid damaging my tools?

yes if punching, no if tooling, stamping.

I built a desk, with 2x4s and particle board, I'm thinking about filling the center void with cement, I'm moving upstairs, and am afraid of the same thing.

[panchoskywalker]

yes if punching, no if tooling, stamping.

I built a desk, with 2x4s and particle board, I'm thinking about filling the center void with cement, I'm moving upstairs, and am afraid of the same thing.

I will use it only for punching, tooling isn't loud I can make it on a desk.

[panchoskywalker]

The guy I buy the tools from sell a thick piece of rubber (about 10cm) for punching, would that work also to reduce noise?

[TinkerTailor]

Talk to your neighbours before they are pissed off, let them know what you are doing, and ask if there is a prefered time to do hammering. Bring beer or cookies, whichever is appropriate. I save all my hammering until 10 am, since my neighbours are at work and my days off are midweek. No complaints yet.

[ConradPark]

Get an arbor press, one of the best investment you could do, ever. It doesn't cost too much and you'll be pretty much able to do almost everything that requires a hammer - besides from tooling. This way you can concentrate to do only tooling when the hours permit it and then you can do all other leather work at any other hour. Besides it gives you more control when using pricking irons and it gives a better end result when you set rivets or stamp big stamps like a makers mark.

Good Luck.

[panchoskywalker]

Get an arbor press, one of the best investment you could do, ever. It doesn't cost too much and you'll be pretty much able to do almost everything that requires a hammer - besides from tooling. This way you can concentrate to do only tooling when the hours permit it and then you can do all other leather work at any other hour. Besides it gives you more control when using pricking irons and it gives a better end result when you set rivets or stamp big stamps like a makers mark.

Good Luck.

Good idea but by now this is just a hobby so I always try to find the cheapest solution.

[terix]

I use a piece of tree trunk about three feet long, place my leather on it and hammer along. The only sound comes from the tool. No vibrations in the floor. I also use a piece of foam rubber (about 2 inches thick) under a piece of hard wood (must be changed after a while). Also works well. And cheap. (Please excuse my English)

[panchoskywalker]

I use a piece of tree trunk about three feet long, place my leather on it and hammer along. The only sound comes from the tool. No vibrations in the floor. I also use a piece of foam rubber (about 2 inches thick) under a piece of hard wood (must be changed after a while). Also works well. And cheap. (Please excuse my English)

Thanks I will try that foam rubber first as it is cheaper.

[Boriqua]

I have tried a variety of things and the one that works best is a good heavy wood cookie. The one I use is about 12 inchs thick and about 16 inches around. I had a taller one but I like being able to move it around as needed. I can put it up on a table and it is virtually sound proof. I tried heavy rubber and I was still getting noise from my table. If you have a botanical garden near you ask them what they have. They are always trimming and if you ask nice ....

[cody1200]

Try using a rawhide maul they seem to absorb the blow and deaden the sound.

[nrk]

I live in the 2 floor of a building and I'm worried about the noise I make when I use the hammer, is there any tip to reduce noise?

don't work at nights )))))