How I Use Table Saw in My Apartment? - No Noise

Table saw is really important for woodworking. We have to use the table saw indoor. But using the table saw in the apartment gives you a lot of experience. I have prepared this article based on the detail that I picked for use the table saw in my apartment. So If you wish to buy a table saw to use in your apartment, you should check this first. I promise you can gain many details.

Normally, A table saw can be used in the apartment by reducing the noise, dust, and vibration with suitable voltage. Soundproofing and using eco barriers will help to reduce the noise and a high-pressure vacuum will reduce the dust emitting. For the vibrations, you can use shock absorber material.

Using a table saw in the apartment is based on mainly four things. Power consumption, noise, dust, and vibrations are the main things. So you had better understand to manage these things without disturbing your neighbors. Here I found many things to avoid it. So let’s keep reading on before you buy a table saw before you use it in your apartment.

Select the Table Saw With Proper Voltage for Apartment

When a table saw is used in the apartment, we must know what is the power consumption of the tool. Because electricity is cost according to the consumption and when there is higher consumption its cost is high.

When we select the saw table to use in the apartment, we must know the tool’s voltage. Using a high voltage table saw will require more voltage, and it will affect the neighbor’s power supply. When we use the high voltage tool, we can observe voltage differences due to high voltage consumption.

So don’t use higher voltage tools. And also, don’t use lower voltage tools. It will damage the table saw.

As for me, I use a 120V table saw because power lines are 120V AC.

Maintain Proper Table Saw Noise Level in Apartment

Recomended Noise Level

Noise is really important when we use the tool in the apartment. The apartment is a high population area, and we have to use it carefully without disturbing others. There is a recommended noise level that we should know. If we produce the higher noise, legal actions can be taken.

The recommended exposure limit is 85 dB. If the limit is exceeded, the ear can be damaged. So always use the earbuds when you use the table saws.

Decibels (dB)

Region	Time	Sound Level dB
Residential Zone	Day	65
Residential Zone	Night	55
Commercial and manufacturing	Day	80
Commercial and manufacturing	Night	70

This is the recommended noise level of the residential and commercial manufacturing area. So you had better maintain the recommended noize level according to the time period.

Sound Transmission Class (STC)

STC is widely used in the USA for interior partitions. It is highly based on the voice. Outside the US, the Sound Reduction Index (SRI) ISO index is used. The STC rating varies roughly reflects the decibels reduction of noise that a partition can provide. STC is standardized by the ASTM E413-based laboratory measurements. So you had better know about this also.

How Noise is Genarated?

Noise generation is the most important thing in this topic. Noise can be generated due to many reasons. Those can be categorized as mechanical and electrical.

Mechanical Noise

Mechanical noise is generated due to bearings, chip removing, due to wind effect, and abrasions. Mechanical noise can be reduced to a certain extent. But we are not able to remove them.

Electrical Noise

Due to the electromagnetic field, electrical noise has risen. Normally electrical noise can be neglected by considering the mechanical noise.

For the cutting process, the motor and blade should be rotated at high speed.

Table Saw Noise Level

Table Saw	Not Loaded Noise Level
Bosch GTS10J	100.2 dB
Metabo TS 216	105.3 dB
Draper 82385 200mm 1100 W	90.5 dB
Milwaukee M18 FTS 210	100.5 dB
Dewalt DW 745	103.5 dB

Table saw noise levels Source

An unloaded noise level is a combination of electrical and mechanical noises. When it is loaded with a workpiece, it can rise a bit. So the goal is to keep the noise level around 60 dB. So we should take action to prevent this. So let’s see how this can be done.

How to Reduce Table Saw Noise?

In order to reduce the table saw noise as it can be used in the apartment, we should consider electrical, mechanical, and environmental upgrades. So let’s see how to minimize the Table saw noise up to its recommended level.

01. Oil the Bearings

This is the simple and first one we should do. When the bearings are rotating without lubricants, they provide a higher amount of noise due to friction. So applying oils can reduce the friction and reduce the noise. More than that, apply the grease or lubricants oil inappropriate places.

02. Remove the Old Bearing

As I explained above, the bearings can produce a high amount of noise. If the bearings are old and abrade due to friction, oiling is not useful. So you had better change it. So check the bearing if there is a high sound change.

03. Use a Sharp Blade

When the blade is not sharp it will take much time to cut the workpiece. So you had better use the sharp cutting tool to cut the workpiece. Dull blades will reduce the cutting speed, and it will produce additional noise.

04. Soundproof the Walls

If you are going to use the table saw inside the apartment, you must soundproof the walls using suitable soundproof material.

05. Use Echo Barrier

If you can use this Eco Barrier inside the apartment, you can reduce the noise of the tools in a high amount. This is a kind of a chamber. You have to work inside, and it will reduce the higher amount of noise produced inside. So it is really important than doing soundproofing the room.

Keep the Table Saw Dust Free in Apartment

Sawdust is another factor we should consider when we use the table saw inside the apartment. We can’t block the sound by sealing the area. But we can prevent the dust effect by sealing the area. Sawdust consists of chips and powders.

Chips can be easily removed by the hand, and those will not spread everywhere due to higher weight. But dust can be spread through the air, and it will gain lots of health problems than physical problems.

We can remove it easily when it is on the surface. But inhaling will cause many health effects such as cancers. So make sure how much dust is produced and how to remove the dust perfectly.

As for me, I use a fully sealed echo barrier with a permanently fixed vacuum cleaner to remove the dust. It is with a high-quality dust filtration bag. And using a blade guard will reduce the dust spreading very efficiently.

Reduce the Vibration of Table Saw in Apartment

Why Table Saw is Vibrate?

The table saw is a combination of mechanical and electrical equipment. When the mechanical parts are rotting, they can vibrate due to unbalanced weights. Normally, the saw blade and motor are the main unbalanced parts, and due to some bad shaft bearings, this can be increased too much. When the table saw is vibrated, the floor also vibrates due to its placement.

The building can be damaged due to vibration when you use the table saw inside. So you had better use the table saw with lower vibrations.

So the only way to prevent the vibration is to disconnect from the legs where the table is placed.

Disconnecting is really simple; you just need to apply shock-absorbing material between the floor and legs of the table. I use some hard rubber first and then apply soft rubber.

If you increase the shock absorb materials, vibration will be reduced. So add the layers with static structure as it is not moving while it is vibrating.

Conclusion

When using a table saw in the apartment we must prioritize the noise, dust, vibration, and voltage. Those are the things that strongly affect the neighbors. Other things will not affect too much. So you should follow the above steps and methods to maintain the table saw so it does not disturb others.

How I Use Table Saw in My Apartment? – No Noise | Dust

Select the Table Saw With Proper Voltage for Apartment