I temporarily liberated a digital sound meter from work and did some quick checking in the shop.

Using the 85 dB as danger level I determined that almost everything in the shop is above that level. Some very much above 85dB.

I don't have the ducts hooked up to the planer or drum sander yet but so far the levels are.....

DC running - 78 dB (+/-)
T/S while ripping plywood - 103dB
Ridgid 6" ROS while sanding - 101 dB
SCMS while cutting - 109 dB
15" stationary planer (G0453) running - 89 dB
Ridgid 13" lunchbox planer running - 101 dB.

I didn't check the jointer without the DC running (it is under the DC level) with the Shelix. I wish I would have tested it before installing the shelix since it is much quieter now.

I am seriously considering getting some electric in ear plugs.

Once I get the duct's hooked up I will post back with the noise levels of the two planers and the drum sander.

Sound intensity doubles with every 3dB which also cuts the time of exposure in half. It would be unusual to be exposed to a couple hours of constant cutting with a SCMS but a few hours on a sander isn't anything unusual.

Joe