J. Phil Thien's Projects

I would certainly like to do some performance measurement on my as-yet undone upgrade on my Shopsmith DC-3300.  Measuring motor current is no problemo. But I would love to measure airflow in a reasonably accurate and consistent fashion using inexpensive instruments. Rockler just put out a video showing measurements being taken on the new Laguna CFlux1 (the video is on YouTube):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eFJnGHEMicI

(put a link in but don't know if it will stay put - if not, just go to YouTube and for Laguna CFLUX1)
which shows the gentleman measuring flow and velocity using a probe (hotwire anemometer??) in  a long tube connected to the intake.  That looks very do-able IF there is a low cost air speed meter available.

So any ideas, suggestions, etc??  Thanks

Bob Groh

Realize this is a bit of a loaded question but does anyone have an idea of how much loss I should expect in a 'typical' Thien separator?  Thinking of a design for a dust collector rather than a shop vac (i.e. low pressure).

Bob Groh, Blue Springs, Missouri

Present dust control for my small woodworking shop is a ShopVac with a Olympic Dust Deputy front end.  Works nicely but need a bit more capacity for 6" planner, lathe, etc. I was just given a used Shopsmith DC-3300 (doing some cleanup and rebuilding on it presently) and I definitely want some pre-filtering on it. The DC-3300 is a small machine - 330 CFM, 1/2 HP but does have good impeller design, is quiet and will run for long periods of time.  And it was a gift!  And free!!

After much looking and reading, I am planning on Thien design for a prefilter for my little DC-3300. Outline so far includes a 2H top hat design, 4" inlet and outlet, round to rectangular inlet converter, outlet air straightener, 3 vane deswirler and a top hat baffle on bottom. Not sure what to use for dust collection barrel or no specific ideas (yet) for materials, etc.  Any and all comments would be welcome.