J. Phil Thien's Projects

Been thinking about this for a while. Toilets flush counter clockwise in the northern hemisphere as opposed to clockwise below the equator. Same goes for the air spinning in  tornadoes.

I see most cyclone designs the vortex counter clockwise. But I do see some that create a clockwise flow.

Is there anyone that mapped out the repercussions of a design that went clockwise?

Just sayin`

As I slowly and meticulously build my Thien Seperator and try to find out the relationship of the height of the top lid down to the baffle, in relationship to the size of the duct work of the inlet, what about creating a radius`d wall from the inlet duct to the drop slot of the baffle? So if I`m using a 4" inlet, create a full height wall using 20ga flat stock metal.

I ask this as it appears the height distance of this opening varies from one builder to another? Mr. Thien appears to have little or no extra clearance from the height of the inlet, and I`ve seen others state great success with what appears to have double or triple the height of the inlet duct.

But the wall might give better cyclone action and divert more solids to the drop slot? Maybe, even a 1 or 2" high wall?

Know of anyone to try this?

Hope this message finds everyone here well:

Though a long time member here, I have not got around to setting up my dust collection system until now. After 30 minutes or so of searching, I guess I`m looking for the latest information or plans for a 4" inlet baffle, using a 2hp Harbor Freight set up. (I see the basic specs for a 5 gal can set up).

Thought I`d post this question out there as I continue to search.


Also, just read the thread of Home Depot selling Phil`s and other`s work. Incredible.

Peace

Thinking out loud, ......... would it be a good idea to get another HF stock, cylindrical separator (piece between the upper filter and the lower plastic bag) to modify it with the baffle/separator to sit on the garbage can. (basically a pre made Top Hat)
The shape of this stock piece, plus the side input might also help in less drag? It does have tapered metal flange at top above the intake (might be useful in the airflow?). Not to mention modding this would be less trouble than starting from scratch.

I noticed some vent the dust outside not using this stock piece. Maybe they tried to mod it?
Wonder if HF would sell me one?

Wanting a dust collector for as long as I can remember, and for some strange reason I am finally going to purchase one, I am just now getting my mind adjusted to modding it as I discovered this thru DC reviews.

With that said, I am green at this concept, but intrigued enough, and read enough to know I`ll want to do this when I get my DC later this week. So, not seeing any newbie sections of this forum, I just want to get a few questions out of the way.

- I see there are two basic ways of creating a baffle. One that sits inside the collection container, and a completely manufactured baffle system that sits on top of the container (Top Hat?). In both of these designs, seems more people are leaning to creating the inlet on the side, as opposed to dropping it down from the top. Is this proven better, and does the 'material drop section' of the baffle need to be enlarged/lessened or modded differently because of the side inlet?

- Also, in Phil`s design, both the inlet and outlet are angled in from the top. Are the top side builders getting better results with this?

- I also noticed there is no real set best design for doing any of this? I`m guessing the size and strength of the suction requires all the experimentation with different designs? Thinking out loud, be nice to have different threads started for different machines? This would put readers on a similar track to there needs and thoughts.

With all the different designs, dimesions and materials, there is no best way?