I thought I would put this out as a supplement to the thread about hearing loss/protection without hijacking that thread completely. Recently, my shop had a noise survey completed to see what the exposure rates were for the different tools operated in the shop.
All the readings listed were with the machines under load (actually cutting, drilling, etc). Some of these machines may not apply to every shop, but since I do a little bit of everything, we tried to get the DB levels of a different range of tools in and around the shop that make noise. We didn’t get them all, but I’m sure you can extrapolate from these readings to compare to other tools in your shops. The readings were taken with an audiology department noise meter.
Caveat: Your machine noise levels may vary depending on manufacturer, work load, or other factors.
Tool Noise level in DB Tool Noise level in DB Air compressor (purge and fill) 92db Metal chop/cut-off saw (table) 104db Band saw 92db Miter saw (12”) 103db Belt sander (hand held, elec) 98db Mortising machine 67db bench grinder (metal) 90db Nail gun (18ga, 100psi) 92db biscuit jointer 88db palm sander (1/4 sheet) 90db Chainsaw (74cc, 24") 104db Planer (20”) 88db Circular saw (battery) 95db push mower 94db Circular saw (electric) 106db random orbit sander (5") 88db CNC machine 103db reciprocating saw (battery) 94db Drill (battery, handheld, 1/2" 85db Riding lawn mower (54") 90db Drill (elec, handheld, 1/2" chuck) 91db Router (table mounted) 93db Drill press (1hp) 77db Sanding center (disk/belt combo) 87db Drum sander (22/44) 80db Scroll saw (20”) 80db dust collector (from shop area) 75db shop fan (exhaust) 70db Earlex 5500 sprayer 80db Spindle sander 72db framing nailer (16P) 102db Table saw (4/4 rip) 91db Grinder (hand held, electric) 94db Tormek sharpener 63db Hammer drill/chisel 91db weed trimmer 98db Jig saw (battery) 96db Worksharp 3000 72db Jointer (8", 1/8” edge cut, 4/4) 92db Welder (miller, mig) 68db Lathe (16/42) 74db