Practical means for reducing saw noise

A vibration damper for circular saws, described at the San Diego meeting in 1976 was shown to give about 14 dBA of noise reduction. It has been improved and prototype models are being tested preparatory to the anticipated manufacture and distribution of products for quieting saws ranging from 10 to 24 in. in diameter as used in commercial processing of wood, metal, and plastics. The present paper will relate the results of the continuing developments by The Clayton H. Allen Corporation at Cambridge, Massachusetts, and by its prospective licensee, The Brunswick Corporation at its laboratory in Deland, Florida, and at its wood plant in Muskegon, Michigan. Noise reductions of up to 20 dBA have been obtained in cutting dry maple as measured in the reverberant field approximately 8 ft from a 10-in. saw.