J. Phil Thien's Projects

Still, be careful when you decide on diameter dimension for the dado. I had to make mine over because I didnt take the average.

"Ron, Thanks for the reply.  I just ran out to measure the ID of my Brute trash can.  It's 20 1/4 inches so from a clearance standpoint the drop slot will be fine."

Doug,
Dont forget to measure the diameter of can in three places. Then take the average. All containers are out of round.

Wow. What a great write up. Thank you for sharing. Your setup looks fantastic. ;D

Thanks Ron. I like the idea of the magnet as an adjustable way to close off the slot on the angle crank.

Side note, the article states this: ?This system requires a dust collector rated at a minimum of
1,100 cubic feet per minute (cfm).?

Again I am wondering if that means real cfm or what the manufacturer says it is. Harbor Freight claims 1500, but I guess it?s less than half of that in reality.

Quote from: Carpenter96 on January 25, 2012, 04:03:30 AM
Hi Retired2. My DC is portable and I just hook it up to which ever machine requires it. It has never been over whelmed by shavings. I could not justify the cost of solid piping and a larger more powerful DC. Regards Bob

Bob,

Did you make a cart so the DC, can and top hat all roll around? Or, do you use a flex hose to hook up to the various machines? Do you have your blower mounted sideways above the top hat?

I am curious to how you guys pick up dust at the table saw. Cabnet saws are enclossed with a dust port. But I have a contractor's saw.

Peter,

I guess I will make mine a mirror. Who knows. Can?t hurt though.

I am just going to use 4 inch for the reasons you listed.

RonS,

Thanks.

I may stil be confussed about somethings. But I now understand how it all goes together. This is a great site with helpful people.

Peter,

The dxf design you send me came in fine into SolidWorks. I could build it directly from your design. All of my questions were answered. Thanks again.

I havent started making it yet, and I am already over thinking. If I mount my DC impeller in-line above my seperator, the direction is counter-clockwise when looking down from above. The same as in the jpeg you posted of you shop lay-out. Would you sugest that I mirror the design of the seperator? In order to have seperator rotaion the same as DC rotation?

galerdude, thanks for the links.

Peter, I dont have Sketchup. I do have SolidWorks. Can you export as Dwg, DXF, IGES, or any cad format? if not, a jpeg would be fine too. Thanks.

Thanks for the input everyone. I was so discouraged before the replies. Bulldog, I plan to use DC for Table saw, Jointer, and Planner. Band saw if/when I get one. One machine at a time.

So, everyone pretty much feels the top hat is better than what I call the original with the elbow at the in-let? I have seen many pictures of the new design, but not enough to figure out how to make one. I'm not looking for dimensions, just how it goes together. I know there are many variations. I'm just trying to find simple sketch or something.

I have dreamed about setting up a shop since I was in High School wood shop. Now I'm 43. Over the years I have been buying tools. Have not really made anything yet.

Thank you

I am new to the forum. I wish I had researched more before I purchased my Dust Collector.
I bought:
Harbor Freight (Central Machinery)
CFM: 1550
Horse Power: 2


I really like everything I have read and seen on the Thien Separator. Brilliant. Now I have info overload after all I have read (so many hours over the last week). I planned to use my DC with Separator. And Rockler's 4" Dust Right expandable hose to stretch from one machine to another. The hose stretches 4x the relaxed length. I bought the 3 foot hose and planned to go from machine to machine with it. Would I be better off building the Separator for a Shop Vac and caulk up the purchase of the DC as a learning experience?

Very nice jig. Great idea. Wood working magazines should pay you for ideas.