How to Soundproof a Box
Making a soundproof box for working with your Dremel and other small power tools does not need to be difficult. The main goal of making such a device is to minimize or to dampen vibration by absorbing the vibrations into material. In order to cut costs, there is no need to buy any lumber when making this box.
Things You'll Need
- Two cardboard boxes (fit inside one another with 2-inches space on all sides)
- Fiberglass insulation
- Tool dip (one large can)
- Egg carton foam
- Acoustic tile
- Shoe glue (like Shoe-Goo)
- Rubber gloves
- Two swim masks (the same size/shape)
Instructions
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Place two layers of fiberglass insulation into the bottom of the bigger box. Wear a mask to keep the fiberglass out of your lungs and goggles to keep it out of your eyes. Wear gloves/long sleeves so that you don't get cut up by contact with the fiberglass. Place the smaller box inside of the larger box. Pack the fiberglass all the way around the perimeter between the boxes.
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Cut the egg carton foam so that it fits inside of the box. Paint the inside of the smaller box with the tool dip and place the foam with the "bumpy" side facing in so that the tool dip contacts the back of the foam and acts as a glue.
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3
Cut the acoustic tile (recycled tile is fine) so that it will cover the outside of the outer box. Use carpenter's glue to attach these tiles.
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4
Cut off the straps that hold the masks onto your head from the two masks. Trim the rubber around the masks so that the rubber sticks out 2 inches. Use cyanoacrylate glue to glue the open sides of the masks together to form the window.
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Close the inner box and tape it shut. Cut off the lid of the inner box by separating it at the corner where it attaches to the other faces of the box. Use a coating of tool dip to coat both sides of the lid. Cut a hole a little smaller than the mask (but the same shape) into the center of the lid. Glue the mask over the hole with the shoe glue. Set the lid aside.
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Close the outer lid. Do the same process without adding the hole in the lid. Place the lower lid into the box with the mask sticking up. Place the other lid over it where it would close if the mask were not in the way. Reach around under the lid and, holding the lid in place with the other hand, trace the mask. Remove the top lid and cut the location that was marked so that it can be slid over the mask. Use more of the glue to seat the mask in place. Stuff apply the soundproofing in the same way that you did to the rest of the box.
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Cut holes into two opposite sides of the box from the outside of the double box to the innermost layer. Use the shoe goo to glue the gloves in place so that they stick into the box. Make sure that the holes are as small as possible so that when your hands are in the box, the noise does not escape.
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Glue plastic over any exposed fiberglass to prevent having to wear a mask every time that the box is used. Vacuum any loose fiberglass or other material from the box. When using the power tools, the cord enters between the lid and the box. The lid is held in place by gravity when it is placed on the box from above.
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Tips & Warnings
Use duct tape to hold the lid in place when the device is in use. Tape plastic over the fiberglass and remove any dust that is left behind. Add a battery-powered light to light the interior of the box so that you can see what you are doing.
Read and follow the instructions for every product that is used to make this soundproof box. Wear a mask, long sleeves, gloves and goggles while doing this project or dealing with loose fiberglass. This box is not intended for use on living things and would not be safe for this purpose. This box is only for use by an adult who understands the properties of the materials involved in the construction of this box.
