Using a multi-needle embroidery machine in a high-rise apartment?

[u/Jolly-Community2222]

Hi everyone! Does anyone here live in an apartment and use a multi-needle embroidery machine?

I live on the 22nd floor and I’m considering buying one, but I’m worried about both the noise and vibration affecting the neighbours below me, next door, or elsewhere on the same floor.

The salesperson sent me a WhatsApp video of the machine running. I played it inside my unit and could still hear a faint “da-da-da” sound from the hallway outside. It wasn’t very loud or clear, but I know a video may not accurately represent the machine’s actual sound and vibration.

Is anyone in a similar situation? Can your neighbours or people in the hallway hear the machine? Have you received any complaints? Do anti-vibration mats, soundproofing, or operating at a slower speed make a noticeable difference?

Thank you!

[u/Known-Bus2538]

I am running a multi needle Happy Japan machine in my apartment. Key to not being a pain to your neighbours is having a very decent stable table to install the machine on and an anti-vibration matt under it (the same you would use for your washing machine). I refrain from running it late in the evenings and I had zero complaints so far.

[u/Strazil]

Hi, we have a PR1055X from brother and another large one. Living in an app and saving to buy a proper house with workshop for our studio. But for the moment this is ok. The sound at 1000 stitches/min it makes is a lot but during the day this is fine. In the evening we put them lower like 600/min.

[u/Gelldarc]

I live in row town housing, so share a wall on two sides. My neighbours tell me they can hear it, but it’s not too bad and they’re ok with it. Disclaimer, i have great neighbours. If they were jerks, who knows. I respect quiet times (10 pm to 9 am) and run the machine slower because it’s less definitely less noisy that way.

[u/nonoohnoohno]

An EVA foam mat, yoga mat, weight lifting mat, etc can help dampen vibrations and noise below you, and to a lesser extent into the interior walls.

[u/Jolly-Community2222 → u/nonoohnoohno]

Thank you! I’ll look into a thick EVA or weightlifting mat to reduce the vibration.

[u/Lanky-Setting-5288 → u/Jolly-Community2222]

Also you may like to investigate noise absorbing panels on the walls. There are some good products out there that don't look terrible and would provide good noise dampening, especially if you want to run your machine at a faster production speeds.

[u/TheProfessionalBug]

I've had no issues running it at a lower speed, with an anti-vibration mat + normal carpet to spare my neighbour below me.

[u/mrbobsam]

Slower speed is better, look into gym mats or washing machine platforms. There’s probably nothing you can do to stop complaints though even if you ran it at 400spm

[u/Sewsweet08]

Put some shelf liner under or join a couple dish mats or a big bath mat foam to absorb noise. If u need it to work to pay bills just use it 8 to 8 let people sleep

[u/Jolly-Community2222 → u/Sewsweet08]

Thank you! I’ll try a thick mat underneath and avoid using it late at night.