Opinions wanted: Thein and Seperator

[bbrown]

   Can folks give me opinions as to two collector systems?

1.  I just bought the HF 2 HP dust collector at a good sale price.  This looked like a good Thien modification.  I like it because it is built right into the DC itself......
http://lumberjocks.com/projects/29578

2.  And here's a seperator that looks really simple to make (versus most of what I've seen).  If this works as claimed, I will probably make one.....
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lNDc66V1_64

Thank you for opinions,
   
   --Bill

[alan m]

I have no experience of putting the separator inside the dust extractor

I don't like the second link. I only skimmed the vid.
I don't like the way the inlet is inside the barrel. that will create turbulence and reduce efficiency.
you would be better off building g a top hat separator

[alan m]

sorry just looked at first link.

that should work . but I would still go for a top hat rather than a top inlet

[bbrown]

  Thanks for taking the time to check the links and replying.  Really appreciate that.

I figured folks here would know.

Sounds like the 'Top Hat' is the way to go.

Is there any particular plan that folks like best?

--Bill

[BernardNaish]

Best top hat design is here:

http://www.jpthien.com/smf/index.php?topic=563.msg3034;topicseen#msg3034

Its a fairly long post but gives almost everything you need to know. However do not use acrylic for the walls as it does not like being bent, think of it as plastic glass. Use polycarbonate instead as it is ideal for this job and should be cheaper.

Please let us know how you get on and if you can measure anything that would be helpful.

[alan m]

You wont go far wrong if you follow retired 2s build

you have quite a read ahead of you

[bbrown]

   Thank you Bernard and Alan.   Yes, I have a bit (12 pages on the one thread alone, and counting) of study ahead for sure.  I appreciate the replies and offer of help; I'm sure I'll be needing some.  I'd probably just buy one of these if they were available for sale.  My shop time can be such a premium these days.

--Bill

[jgt1942]

bill, the above tips are excellent. I used Plexiglass for my wall, it was tough bending it and I over heated a couple of times which produced bubbles. As suggest the polycarbonate would most likely be better. I'd also suggest building the two-high. I've only gotten into trouble twice with my build.

• I don't have a sensor to tell me when the bin is full. I overfilled it and this makes for a mess.
• Along with general wood working I also turn wood. Most often when turning the wood comes off in large sawdust chunks, e.g. about 1/4". Recently the wood I was turning came off in long strings. When this was cleaned up with the vac the long strings got trapped in the Thien creating a blockage and I had to manually remove the blockage.

[chocdog]

I just bought the HF DC also.  I am planning to do a mod similar but more like this one
https://woodworkingweb.com/creations/59-harbor-freight-dust-collector-conversion
I am building the separator lid tomorrow