J. Phil Thien's Projects

Here's my version of the Top Hat design. Still need to mount the motor/vane on the wall above the Thien Top Hat but it works super as is.Thanks Phil and all of you for the ideas and inspiration.
Thanks,
Gale

Small update: mounted the HF DC components on the wall in my attached shed. Still need to mount the Thien Top Hat solid and plumb accordingly.

Thanks,
Gale

Very nice execution.  A very clever baffle sandwich.  :)

Very appreciative of the comments, Phil. I owe many Thanks to you, your forum and the many innovators that post their participation in this ....... magic show  ;D 8).

Thanks,
Gale

OK, last update, it's done. While I had it on the bench changing the outlet configuration, I snapped a picture looking inside the inlet to show a little more construction detail.

Thanks,
Gale

I really like the sandwiched baffle idea. Is the hole shown in the baffle for an internal brace to prevent the baffle from moving?

Steve

Hi Steve, yes I felt it would be necessary to stabilize the 1/4" tempered masonite after cutting the baffle as it seemed somewhat floppy. I never tested without the internal brace/bolt but it is real stable with it there. I cut all the parts with my "Joe's 4x4 R&P CNC" router and added that hole for the bolt afterward. I have the design files in *.dxf and they are less than 500k. Not sure if I can post them but am willing to email them if it is of any help to anyone.

Thanks,
Gale

Here's the *dxf file. hope it's of some help to someone.

Thanks
Gale

Thanks Galerdude - thought it might be more helpful if I started a new thread though - check the forum - thanks - Howard

I dumped 3/4's of a barrel of sawdust today with nothing visible in the bag  ;D . Love that Thien Baffle !!!

Thanks,
Gale

how come you went with a 7/8 slot and what is the 8 sided piece of wood show at the top of your pic

Concerning the 7/8" slot; I read in another thread that it was thought that a narrower slot would capture/separate more fines. With most of my collection being from the CNC and tablesaw I decided to give it a go, so far so good. With this design, I feel I can easily change out the baffle if I feel the need later on. I think it's important to note that the true success of this thinking will prove itself later on when cleaning the Wynn filter. I apologize for not knowing the link to the "slot width" thread.

The eight sided piece shown was to be a collar for the 5" outlet to aid in stability. It was not needed in my situation. Sorry for any confusion that might have caused.

Thanks,
Gale

I loaded the dxf file into DoubleCad XT and did some auto deminsioning. Here is the result as a PDF and dxf file. I
hope this helps with some of the questions.

Ron

Very interesting!  Nice execution!

Well, I've had to change my setup concerning after the Thien separator. Originally had a Wynn filter on the HF DC. I had acquired it previous to building the Thien top hat separator. I at that time had the DC in the shop. When I went to the top hat I put the DC outside the shop in an attached unheated room. I've been using it a lot and have had problems with the filter plugging. I think it's from the condensation from the warm dust hitting the ice cold filter. It's really caked. Anyways, I put the bag back on and will report back in a month or two and let us all know if that helped. So far, in just two days there is quite the noticeable improvement.

Till then,
Gale