I live in an estate here in Australia where my house is built 1meter from one boundary and on the boundary line on the other side, making my garage 1meter from the neighbors master bedroom.
This was a concern to me, so I thought I would tackle the task of building a soundproof enclosure for my x-carve.
The actual box would have cost me around the $500AUD mark which is like what $25USD? but seriously it’s like 400USD or thereabouts. The reason it’s so much is the insulation within the walls, the struts, and materials which all build to it.
My options were either stop the sound or stop the machine. We have noise restrictions here meaning 5 PM no power tools, I only get home at 4 which made this hard, now with the box I can go until 8ish.
I built the walls of the box the same way as a house, leaving me a wall cavity was obviously I could put my insulation. I also had to factor vacuum, as well. So here goes:
Up top:
The main machine sits up top, perfect height that I can reach the back, sides and everywhere I need too the back left corner holds a hole where the vacuum comes up from down below, the front left has a hole in the front where cables can run down to the bottom where power comes into the box.
The main lid is held on by hinges up the top, and 2 1200newton gas struts, these hold the lid firm up and firm down perfectly. The lid has foam padding around which stops both dust and sound escaping.
The lid also holds an acrylic sheet which allows me to see in without sound getting out, by double layering, this will stop even more, however, It’s fine.
The top also holds a large light which is more than natural light in my opinion and casts little to no shadow and certainly nothing that has ever caused an issue.
Down below:
This holds 2 doors, both with foam strips to seal in the sound and latch to keep it shut. This holds the vacuum.
I know what you’re thinking. Shit must get hot in there. And no. There is 1 hose from the exhaust of the vacuum which goes to a muffler which muffles the sound before leaving the side, and the other hose which goes up to the top through a muffle.
The bottom area gets to about 40 degrees celsius which is way below operating temperatures for it.
Conclusion.
When closed this machine makes next to no sound, from outside the brick wall next to it, so 200mm from the machine with the brick in between its 100% silent, in my office next to the garage with only the garage door closed once again no sound.
With everything open, I can hear it from down the street and most definitely in my office.
In my opinion, this was 100% worth the money to build, I have had this for 3 months now and it runs mint I have never run into any problems with large materials, sound or dust. The machine holds it all in including all the dust which means clean up is an absolute breeze.
If anyone else has a soundproof box I’d love to see it and hear your feedback on mine.
I also have a video but just need to work out how to post it.
here is the video it doesnt sound like much but it’s actually a MASSIVE difference:
https://youtu.be/RU6qCA3vglU