Here's some comparisons based on my experience, for comment:

Fine Woodworking measured several common types of woodworking machines and
reported that the shopvac was one of, if not THE LOUDEST "machine" in the
workshop. I'd have to dig out the article to get specifics.

Tablesaws were also somewhere near the top of the list. My JET contractor
isn't that bad, and I don't always wear protection. A buddy has a DELTA
direct drive (with a tiny belt inside the motor/gearbox housing) and I saw
him pick up his earmuffs before turning it on. As soon as he turned it on, I
wish I had brought mine with me. I did bring them the next day we worked
together because that saw howled horribly.

At the time of reading the article, I had never turned a stick of wood so I
ignored lathes which may have been in the article, but from my experience
here's what's loudest:

buddy's DELTA tablesaw
my 1957 six inch planer
shop vac
router
my JET tablesaw
.... then further down the list ...
my antique lathe because the 3/4 hp motor and old lathe bearings make some
vibration and hum. Tool use adds to the noise level.
sander/jigsaw/drillpress barely count
dropping a beer on the concrete floor while admiring my work always makes a
loud noise.
....

When I eventually upgrade from the antique lathe (circa 1900), I expect the
new one to be more quiet.

--

Stephen
"Derek Hartzell" wrote in message
...
I always wear earplugs. I can still hear the sound of cutting with them
in.
They are the orange type with a harder foam in a flaring vessel shape with
a
piece like a shoelace string tip inside to help with insertion. Some
other
types cut out a little more noise, perhaps too much.