I don't try and do woodwork or DIY at night because I am not sure the neighbours would complain about the noise. There isn't much noise because the shed is 50 feet from the houses, but I'd rather not chance it.

Often I'd like to pop down for 30 minutes - so it's a shame.

I looked up the noise control rules for my area and 6pm is the cut off for contractors. DIYers may be allowed to work beyond that time at the discretion of the local council.

I guess some people are more sensitive to noise than others, so is there a way of knowing when you are making too much noise?

Also, I imagine I can get away with more noise in the winter months when everyone has their double glazed windows shut.

Just work 'till 8 or 9 o'clock one night, then the following day go round and see the neighbours to 'apologise' for the noise, saying you got carried away & lost track of time, or you had to get something finished, or whatever. You'll be able to tell from their response whether they actually heard it or not.

Jonathan

Turn the music up REALLY LOUD and pretend you're having a party

   Fire up something noisy for a few minutes and walk around the neighborhood. Planer with DC, table saw with DC etc. Find out how loud it really sounds. Keep in mind that things like planers are generally noisier when actually running wood through. Wind direction will effect it too.



Seth

Prime time for me is 3pm until 11pm.  I hate the am. 

I pretty much always do woodworking at night (so past 7pm) once the kids are in bed, only time I get.

I have had neighbours much closer than 50ft away with no complaints, though I used to avoid certain tools like my portable thicknesser. With routers use to use s slightly slower speed and feed rate, sanders are quite quite.

I should add though that my season was more through autumn and winter when people have their windows closed... summer a bit trickier. If you are on good terms with neighbours you could always try a sound test.. see if it bothers them

I have the same problem with a big compressor.  I'm in a community workshop and we recently had to downsize.  Now we have neighbors who want the 3 HP compressor noise to go away.  I'm about to build a closet around the compressor using MLV and insulation.  Any ideas??

I have the same problem with a big compressor.  I'm in a community workshop and we recently had to downsize.  Now we have neighbors who want the 3 HP compressor noise to go away.  I'm about to build a closet around the compressor using MLV and insulation.  Any ideas??

I have a similar problem with a neighbor of my moms, a muppet that runs a non-silent compressor basically the whole day - every day.

I offered him to gift him an enclosing which would make that thing noiseless, but he's quite antisocial (well, he has already been to court with basically everyone 300m around him, repeatedly) and refused because 'I like the sound'. Other neighbors tried to sue him to have peace and quiet in their gardens, but lost as he manages scrape just below legal limits. As we're not allowed to tar and feather him... I'm currently working on leasing the 20cm strip of land directly next to his plot (from his direct neighbor, who is also fed up with him, too old to fight himself but too young to not die soon enough to make it not matter) to erect a permit free (in that area) solar installation - construction of which will certainly he at any and all legal limits, like needing that nice and sturdy 25m x 4m x 20cm (LxHxD) concrete wall to not fall over.
Life could be so nice, if not for the ones without whom it would be better...

As you are interested in not annoying your neighbors... I searched a bit and here you go:

but I'd rather not chance it.

There's your answer, keep the peace and you'll all sleep well.