So Im done with the table 10ftx26ft, now to decide if I want to go the homasote route or the rockwool under the table, held up with furring strips. Rockwool is a much better sound absorber and it will fill the 16" on center cavities.
I haven't seen any others go this route. What say you?
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As a retired carpenter I have installed rock wool as soundproofing a few times and I tell you I would rather be dipped in honey and tied on an anthill than install rock wool. They call it rock WOOL for a reason its itchy and gets all over everything. You could see the dust in the air for days. A paper dust mask is absolutely useless. Unless you enclose it somehow you will most likely be breathing in those fibers for the rest of your life. Given the choice homosote is the superior choice. I have been retired for 20 years so the composition may have changed but I would still use homasote on top of the table even if I had to tear up the tracks and start over. Rock wool is the last thing I would use in IMO.
@Rudy T posted:As a retired carpenter I have installed rock wool as soundproofing a few times and I tell you I would rather be dipped in honey and tied on an anthill than install rock wool. They call it rock WOOL for a reason its itchy and gets all over everything. You could see the dust in the air for days. A paper dust mask is absolutely useless. Unless you enclose it somehow you will most likely be breathing in those fibers for the rest of your life. Given the choice homosote is the superior choice. I have been retired for 20 years so the composition may have changed but I would still use homasote on top of the table even if I had to tear up the tracks and start over. Rock wool is the last thing I would use in IMO.
Ok, you sold me. Thanks
Rock wool or fibre glass insulation will atenuate the sound in the air but it won't dampen the vibrations in the table. Homosote and cork roadbed are better for that. There are spray on and stick on dampening products that design specifically for this. Google "acoustic dampening".
Pete
Rockwool is absolutely the last thing in the world that I would ever use to dampen sound. It has got to be the nastiest construction material I have ever dealt with in my entire life. When you come into contact with it you will itch for days. If you don’t seal it completely when the trains run it will filter into the air and if you need to work on the wiring that means laying under the layout with Rockwool dusting in your face. It is used as a fire retardant in areas that will be sealed off to the public and that’s it ! Fiberglass insulation has better sound transference reduction but why on earth would you suffer with it.
The product you need is convoluted acoustic foam sheets. Looks like egg cartons, very cheap and comes in a roll. Sound studios use it for a reason, because it is the best bang for the buck. You will need to purchase it on line as hardware stores usually don’t carry it.
As a Journeyman cabinetmaker who has built many layouts, use homasote on top and the convoluted acoustic foam underneath and your layout will be whisper quiet.
So I got the 9 sheets of homasote today. Thank god the online price of $29.80 wasn't in their system, got them for $12.98 plus the 10% vet discount. So happy! Thought I was going to drop a fortune on it.
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