J. Phil Thien's Projects

I am trying to improve airflow in my DC and condense my workshop as I am going to move from my garage workshop that is 18x20, and into a shed workshop that is 12x16, I need to downsize!

My current rig is an older HF 2HP DC with a Wynn 35A, and I go out of the DC via a 5" hose to a 55 gallon blue poly drum separator with a side inlet.

I want to remove the poly drum.

So plan at this point...

#1. Upgrade the pitiful stock HF impeller with a Wen impeller. Already on order.
#2. Build separator for mounting in the ring of the DC.
#3. Move my 5" connection direct to the DC bypassing the drum entirely.

This begs the one BIG question. How do I mount both the separator, AND the 35A filter?

I am assuming the 35a more or less has the one method of the turnbuckles to mount, so that leaves how to mount the separator.

So if you have done this, could I bother you to chime in and post some ideas for mounting? I am thinking about screws through the ring into the separator, and one or two threaded bars to stand off the "loose end"

Quote from: tommitytomtom on September 22, 2018, 05:32:36 PM
Not much work over the last several days but did manage to cut out the baffle and install for fitment. The rest of the work today consisted of dismantling the dust collector down to the motor, fan housing and mounting bracket. I may weld up a frame to mount the motor/blower housing vertically to allow me to place the suction side directly over the tophat with a short 6" flex hose. Eventually, I'd like to mount the motor/blower housing on the wall in the corner of my shop but I'll need to move some equipment waiting to be restored to use. The baffle itself is 5/8" MDF scrap. I pre-drilled holes in the edge and then added one 5/16" threaded rod for support (not pictured). More later. I've been toying with the idea of adding an "air ramp" to help direct the air/sawdust downward. This will be a later experiment.

Just wondering if you had a chance to experiment with an air ramp?

It's on amazon here: https://smile.amazon.com/Jkl-Global-Sales-10002-Overheating/dp/B07H2DVSGY/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8

I will post later when I get this all setup, but looks adjustable and should work.

Instead of replacing the bag with a barrel, I thought about just letting the bag sit in a metal trash can.  And, I?m considering figuring out a way to vent the top of the separator outside instead of into the Wynn filter.

Greetings,


I found this handy forum because I was looking to build my own dust separator and was fortunate enough to find a YouTube video (The Considered  Nut) that mentioned the Thien Cyclone separator and outlined the basic principle... I have to say that this appears to be a very elegant design, simplicity in Form and Function...I was thinking of buying one of those fancy injection molded off the shelf cyclone units, but the cost in some instances for something made in the U.S was somewhat prohibitive, especially for something that is basic in  Form and Function, in my view the commercial unit by design implied high level of engineering... perhaps even computer modelling...It led me to think that I might not be able to fabricate something that would function to the level of commercially molded cyclone unit...


However....Thanks to Phil Thien's forum I have been enlightened...this looks like a great unit, I am going to build it....I have an old two stage Mastercraft (Canadian) dust collector that I am going to adapt this too..

Has anyone done one?


About me

I'm 60 years old and near retirement about three years ago I started to plan for my retirement. I decided to build an open-source CNC machine which I completed about a year ago. I wanted to specialize in making antique reproduction wood signs that utilized Bass relief art. I built the CNC  machine and I built the computer that drives it... with zero experience or knowledge... most of the software that runs on is also open source...I think it's important to keep yourself active and to constantly challenged yourself to do different things and push yourself past your comfort zone...I'd be happy to share  and post about the experiences if anybody's interested..


In the meantime greetings to all very thankful that I ran across this form and I hope contribute in my area of knowledge, I would also like to say thank you to Phil for his generosity by way of sharing this design with all of us...

Its  brilliant....and  will make using my CNC machine a lot more tolerable..

Regards,

I purchased a Dustopper HD12.  But it is not at all effective then vacuuming dog hair.  The dog in question is a  Labrador Retriever, a breed havingl a "double coat".  The thin soft fur of the under coat is the problem.  Would a Thien baffle work better?

I also never heard of that name but Marius Hornberger uses a very similar setup in his Small Dust Collector. Have a look at this link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tREMRr81olg&t=1116s. The system is described starting at 15'03. I was looking for something of the sort for my Shop Vac which was covered in previous posts in this forum.

As seen in the photos below, I started years ago with a hinged upper part which allowed removal of the dust bin very easily. After some time I decided that a power cable reel would be a convenient addition and installed one at the back. The problem was that now the hinged top required an extra hand to hold it while removing the dust bin. Not very comfortable, really.

The photos show my version of the Younker/Hornberger Lift. In my case as in Marius' the Separator remains fixed and the dust bin is lifted in place. The whole setup is much smaller and therefore the bin is lighter than the rest. Marius uses a bar to link the two levers that lift the dust bin. I left this out to avoid its forward protrusion from bumping things when the vac was moved. I just kneel down and use two a finger on each lever to push them down 90?  and lock/press the bin in place. Works very well.

The flat part of the cam is its greater asset. It lock the lever  in position and will not move under vibration or jolts.

Here are some shots of the Shop Vac, before and after the modification.

Photos 06 and 10 show the original Shop Vac arrangement and the addition of the cable reel.

Photos 11 and 12 show the lever open and closed respectively. Total travel upwards is 18mm

Photo 13 illustrate the alignment blocks screwed from the inside of the dust bin. These guide it properly against the back wall and sides of the frame.

Photos 14 and 15 are with the bin being inserted.

Photo 16 - The dust bin lifted and pressed in place

Photo 17 -The whole arrangement as seen from the front

Photo 19 - View from the back. I have two hoses, one with the standard nozzle and the other (shown in the photo) has a special nozzle that fits in my bandsaw and edge sander when I remove the grey end piece. In a pinch, with this piece installed, I can use other accessories without a hose change.

Leil, it works very good the couple times I've been able to use it. My regular job has me going 6 1/2 days a week, plus I need to put in another circuit for the dust collector, so I haven't been able to make nearly as much sawdust as I'd like. I'm hoping in the fall things will slow enough for me to get more time in the shop.

This is really cool. I love your moulded bell mouth! What is the performance like?

I am starting on adding a Thein baffle on top of the typical trash can before my Jet single stage 1.5 HP dust collector.
Has anyone used the Jet 1049 trash can separator lid with with a Thein baffle below?
I have the Jet 1049 with a 4" side inlet that spirals down into the standard trash can and has a 4" outlet in the center of the lid.
Will the Thein baffle work below the Jet 1049 lid or should I just go forward with the tophat Thein baffle box with 6" inlet and outlet?
I had planned to put a 6" outlet in the center of the Jet lid with the 6" duct extending 3" down towards the Thein baffle.
I do not know where the solid portion of the Thein baffle should line up with the inlet on the Jet 1049?
Thanks for your help in advance.
Matthew