Anyone muffel a VPI 16.5

Since I'm 62 and already have a measure of hearing loss I use a pair of shooter's ear muffs - they look like headphones but attenuate noise. I just pop 'em on while cleaning records. You see them, sometimes, on people operating leaf blowers and mowers for a living. They're available at sporting goods stores for $30 - 60.

I too use earplugs. I use the foam ones that I also use when cutting my grass or for shooting.

Dave

Try putting the 16.5 on a large folded towel. If that works, you might want to try a couple of gardening knee cushions . . . not the ones you attach to your legs, but the rectangular pads with an oblong hole on one side, like these:

http://lawn-and-garden.hardwarestore.com/82-518-garden-knee-pads-and-seats.aspx

You can usually find them at any store that has a gardening section, like Home Depot.

Neither will make the machine whisper quiet, but ought to tone it down a bit and make it somewhat tolerable.

I doubt the machine can be made more quiet without compromising it's function or VPI would have done it. The Typhoon is supposedly much quieter but is a different design. Muffling the motor or adding internal sound deadening I would think may cause added motor strain and heat build up unless you also used a fan. It's a worthwhile machine and the best value in that type of cleaner available. I just cover my ears as others have suggested. It's become like a game with my four kids. Do look into the steam possibilty but use it in conjunction with your 16.5. It's easier and probably more effective that way.

Added insulation, like the guys put inside thier car doors-panels might be an idea? Something that would be asily cuttable with a utility shears, and peel, and stick would be the way to go. Provided you're not covering the very small slotted vents on the bottom, this shouldn't make the machine run any hotter than it already does.

I will note that when I added a cooling fan to my 16.5, that sound levels did slightly increase, due to adding another hole to machine. Mark