Where to hammer?

[dothacker]

I have a problem: I live in the city and my usual hammering place is gone, it was a spot in the forest. It isn't gone per se but more people show up and the noise creates alot of attention I don't want. I am looking for ideas on a new place to hammer. I am up for ideas on soundproofing my garage (for cold working steel only so as not to burn down the house). I would rather hold off on hot working right now until I get someplace better.

[MooseRidge]

Dothacker,

If you could let us know where you live, there may be a forge nearby.... You should update your Profile...... Thanks!

MooseRidge

[dothacker]

I was just going to do that haha. I live in Pittsfield, MA.

[Glenn]

I will not get into where you can end up by working cold steel other than to say it is warm. (grin).

Anything that absorbs sound is good, anything that reflects sound is not so good. Hard walls, flat surfaces, etc will reflect sound where carpeted walls absorbs sound. I doubt that you can make it sound proof but you you should be able to reduce the sound to below that of the neighbors lawnmower or circular saw at the same distance.

BP0320 Stop the Anvil's Ring
may give you some ideas on how to tone things down.

[MooseRidge]

Depending on the size of your stock, heating in a propane forge will actually be quieter as you will not have to hit it as hard to move the same volume of metal....

Old mattresses make excellent sound baffles and Goodwill or a motel/hotel may have some they are throwing out....

Another way is to look at items that can be bent cold, such as courting candles....

[MooseRidge]

Also, check any local ordinances regarding noise as regards to time. Many cities have quiet hours....

[ThomasPowers]

If you are using a quiet anvil the sound of hammering isn't that much. A lot quieter than a leaf blower or lawn mower or table saw or router or other common noisemakers---you might even be able to have a TV on to "cover the noise" (WEAR YOUR HEARING PROTECTORS!).

It also helps to get to know your neighbors and work with them---if they have a baby that takes a nap at 2 pm; well 2pm would be a good time to take a break from making noise etc

I spent over 14 years in the city center in Columbus OH with houses about 4' apart and hobby forged with no sound issues, coal smoke OTOH was a problem.

[dothacker]

Well, the thing is, the forging is for later but metalwork in general can be best done in my garage but like most garages it is composed of cement, drywall and other hard materials. I don't have an anvil, I will be using a hammer, a chunk of steel and perhaps a chunk of wood if I can. I will admit that I am 17, though that may degrade your opinion on my person, so I cannot go and grab mattresses or buy much material for this. Is there a way of stacking multiple layers of cardboard to use as a miniwall around the work area? I have heard of such a thing being used to keep tumblers and small machines quiet, I am curious if it can be adapted.

[steve sells]

there are a few smith's here younger than you, if Anyone gives you a hard time Becaue of your age, let Glenn know, He knows how to deal with idiots, as we were all young once, its because someone older took the time to teach us, that we are smithing today.

Now... remember that giving you a hard time for not listening or being dangerous is allowed and should be expected

OK back to the real issue, 17, meaning you don't own or have any real control over th garage. To address some of the issues with sound sound, USe Egg crates ( left over from the eggs you ate for breakfast ) have been used for years as cheap sound defusers, just tape/glue/staple them together in strips, mounting them on a old sheet is a good idea too. Hang them on the walls like a curtain when you need them, they only adsorb high pitched sounds, BUT they cut down on the sound reflections, making it quieter outside the room, and inside the house too. carpet does not have to cover all the surfaces, even a small piece here and there will help deaden the room too.

The low frequency can only be delt with by Mass, meaning sand filled, very thick walls, and true sound proofing is NOT cost effective for most people.

Work with what you can, Hook up with local smiths is always a help, many have open forge times for you to go and use the groups equipment too.

Welcome to the insanity of Metal working.

[matt87]

Originally Posted by dothacker

a chunk of steel

And what exactly do you think an anvil is? You have a hammer; all you need now is something to hit (steel/iron) and something to get it hot. The first anvils were rocks, the first hammers smaller rocks. I'd say you are quite ahead of the game compared with some ancient smiths