Courtesy to Neighbors of RV Builders...

[Zeigh]

Hello,

In researching the logistics of building my first airplane, I have been imagining myself all along starting the project in my garage. Then it suddenly dawned on me that the noise generated by seemingly endless riveting with air power tools might cause noise complaints in my houses-packed-ontop-of-another suburban neighborhood. I have some great neighbors and suppose that I could schedule my activities when they aren't home, but this still seems like a huge issue that I haven't seen addressed anywhere else.

Does anyone have any comment on this?


Blue Skies,
Dr. Z.

[N941WR]

Where are you going to rivet, in the front yard?

I did all my riveting in the basement and my wife she could barely hear it in the room above me.

If you are in the garage with the door open, they might hear it but it won't be that loud.

Some time back I remember reading a web site about some guy who was building in his apartment and his neighbors never knew it. Besides, you really don't spend that much time riveting.

[C-GRVT]

As Bill R says, the actual time that you spend riveting is trivial. To minimize noise og building (and I wouldn't think it an issue anyway unless you are truly living on top of your neighbors) use an electric drill instead of an air drill and don't buy an oilless air compressor. I hear (no pun intended) that they are very loud compared to the cast iron oil filled compressors.
Bil Brooks
Ottawa, Canada
RV-6A finishing

[Zeigh]

N941WR,

Wow, this a great news then (and shows how naive I must be). I was thinking of the repetitive noise of power tools on metal work that I have personally encountered in the past. Then again, it was never on lightweight aluminum. I am sure that I can't be as stealth as the guy in his apartment, but at least I will still be able to be courteous to my neighbors.


Blue Skies,
Dr. Z.

[Jerry Cochran]

A)Just go to the hearing protection section of the nearest Dick's and buy up some cheap little softie earplugs.

B) Hand them out to neighbors, and say it's just your appreciation and thought they might use them "sometime"...

C) Rivet on!!!

[Rodoc]

Originally Posted by C-GRVT

As Bill R says, the actual time that you spend riveting is trivial. To minimize noise og building (and I wouldn't think it an issue anyway unless you are truly living on top of your neighbors) use an electric drill instead of an air drill and don't buy an oilless air compressor. I hear (no pun intended) that they are very loud compared to the cast iron oil filled compressors.
Bil Brooks
Ottawa, Canada
RV-6A finishing

Bil is Exactly right.

I had a neighbor who was crazy from chronic pain and every little noise was the end of the world. But even you will enjoy a quiet work environment more, and it allows you to hear the music and cell phone. Use an eletric drill for everything possible (really is better than most air drills anyway) and don't skimp on it. Get a small powerful one with a Li Ion battery and a spare battery to charge while one is in use. Use an oiled compressor with sound proofing around it. Actual time spent riviting is a very small percentage (especially with a QB kit).

[Bob Axsom]

You obviously are a good neighbor and the folks around you appreciate your consideration. I lived in Laguna Hills, California in a zero distance between one side of the house to the edge of the lot - the side with the garage. I spent seven years in there building the RV-6A. I never had a single complaint. I only used the compressor (a dry one at that) for operating the rivet gun and the die grinder. I used the electric drill most of the time and I squeezed all of the rivets I could with a hand squeezed. You don't let the compressor run when you don't need it and the compressor only runs when the pressure in the tank drops. I stopped any compressor operations after 10 pm and I kept the door closed at night. I don't think you will have a problem.

Bob Axsom

[SMO]

I am building in a small well insulated shop - 18' x 20'. I have an 80 gallon air compressor so it does not run often, and it is a two stage so it does not have to run fast when it does run. I use my air drill regularly but squeeze all the rivets I can get to rather than buck them. No complaints from the neighbours who are fairly close to my shop.

I have a small 1/4" air drill and I love it. I wonder why I didn't buy one years ago. I would never go back to an electric drill.

[beattiema]

During the day I may rivet with the garage door open but after 5 its usually closed and never after 9pm. I had a neighbor across the street that used to practice his golf swing in his garage. Hitting golf balls into a tarp hung from the rafters. That was louder and more annoying than my activities. Currently my next door neighbor is toying with drums, now that is loud, with or without the door closed. Bottom line is I don't think you'll find it as bad as you might imagine.

[Kyle Boatright]

I've posted this before, but if you live in a tight neighborhood, your best policy is to start the project and show it to all of your neighbors. Tell 'em there may be some noise, but if it EVER bothers them, to let you know and you'll stop whatever you're doing until you can find a way to do it more quietly.

Tell them that you'll keep the garage door closed when you're doing anything loud. And DO keep the door closed when you're doing loud things.

My house was 20' from my neighbors. I never even had one complaint. Honestly, with the garage door closed, the noise level from my shop was barely noticable in the driveway, and certainly not something any neighbor could have heard unless his/her windows were open.

My biggest fear was bothering my neighbors when I primed and painted. I worked hard to do that when their kids were inside, and never had a problem with that either.