Here's my version of the Top Hat design. Still need to mount the motor/vane on the wall above the Thien Top Hat but it works super as is.Thanks Phil and all of you for the ideas and inspiration.
Thanks,
Gale
Small update: mounted the HF DC components on the wall in my attached shed. Still need to mount the Thien Top Hat solid and plumb accordingly.
Thanks,
Gale
Very nice execution. A very clever baffle sandwich. :)
Very appreciative of the comments, Phil. I owe many Thanks to you, your forum and the many innovators that post their participation in this ....... magic show ;D 8).
Thanks,
Gale
OK, last update, it's done. While I had it on the bench changing the outlet configuration, I snapped a picture looking inside the inlet to show a little more construction detail.
Thanks,
Gale
I really like the sandwiched baffle idea. Is the hole shown in the baffle for an internal brace to prevent the baffle from moving?
Steve
(http://i552.photobucket.com/albums/jj359/mannsj/Untitled.jpg)
Hi Steve, yes I felt it would be necessary to stabilize the 1/4" tempered masonite after cutting the baffle as it seemed somewhat floppy. I never tested without the internal brace/bolt but it is real stable with it there. I cut all the parts with my "Joe's 4x4 R&P CNC" router and added that hole for the bolt afterward. I have the design files in *.dxf and they are less than 500k. Not sure if I can post them but am willing to email them if it is of any help to anyone.
Thanks,
Gale
Here's the *dxf file. hope it's of some help to someone.
Thanks
Gale
Thanks Galerdude - thought it might be more helpful if I started a new thread though - check the forum - thanks - Howard
I dumped 3/4's of a barrel of sawdust today with nothing visible in the bag ;D . Love that Thien Baffle !!!
Thanks,
Gale
how come you went with a 7/8 slot and what is the 8 sided piece of wood show at the top of your pic
Concerning the 7/8" slot; I read in another thread that it was thought that a narrower slot would capture/separate more fines. With most of my collection being from the CNC and tablesaw I decided to give it a go, so far so good. With this design, I feel I can easily change out the baffle if I feel the need later on. I think it's important to note that the true success of this thinking will prove itself later on when cleaning the Wynn filter. I apologize for not knowing the link to the "slot width" thread.
The eight sided piece shown was to be a collar for the 5" outlet to aid in stability. It was not needed in my situation. Sorry for any confusion that might have caused.
Thanks,
Gale
I loaded the dxf file into DoubleCad XT and did some auto deminsioning. Here is the result as a PDF and dxf file. I
hope this helps with some of the questions.
Ron
Very interesting! Nice execution!
Well, I've had to change my setup concerning after the Thien separator. Originally had a Wynn filter on the HF DC. I had acquired it previous to building the Thien top hat separator. I at that time had the DC in the shop. When I went to the top hat I put the DC outside the shop in an attached unheated room. I've been using it a lot and have had problems with the filter plugging. I think it's from the condensation from the warm dust hitting the ice cold filter. It's really caked. Anyways, I put the bag back on and will report back in a month or two and let us all know if that helped. So far, in just two days there is quite the noticeable improvement.
Till then,
Gale
Since the inner height of your design is approximately 4", how far does the 5" exit pipe extend into the separation chamber?
I think it was approximately 2", i.e., half the height of Thien top hat chamber. I never experimented with the suggested half the diameter of the exit pipe, which would have been a 2-1/2" entry. It very well could work better at that distance but was so impressed with the performance at 2" that I just siliconed the top of the exit adapter (a 4" DWV union) and called it complete. Sorry for the vagueness of that but at the time I was wanting to get it squared away and move on. Note, that I also went with a narrower slot than prescribed so am unclear if that has an effect on the suggested exit pipe depth of entry. There seems to be variances that I have no knowledge of it's effect or outcome. Bottom line being; I'm very pleased with the performance and it satisfies my needs. Probably won't redo it but no doubt will be building a smaller version for other vacuum collection, when time allows.
With all the data that has been shared on this forum and the positive progression of Phil's design by its members, I would honestly be bewildered if one could not build a successful system. I am constantly amazed at the new and successful techniques that are employed and shared here 8).
Regards,
Gale
Quote from: os1kne on September 09, 2011, 05:41:51 AM
Very interesting! Nice execution!
Thanks - easy import into SketchUp and will help me.
galerdude - what is the inside/outside dia of your can?
Quote from: jgt1942 on March 27, 2012, 11:29:48 AM
galerdude - what is the inside/outside dia of your can?
The outside diameter is 18-1/2". Inside diameter is approximately 18-1/8".
Quote from: galerdude on March 19, 2012, 06:03:01 PM
Well, I've had to change my setup concerning after the Thien separator. Originally had a Wynn filter on the HF DC. I had acquired it previous to building the Thien top hat separator. I at that time had the DC in the shop. When I went to the top hat I put the DC outside the shop in an attached unheated room. I've been using it a lot and have had problems with the filter plugging. I think it's from the condensation from the warm dust hitting the ice cold filter. It's really caked. Anyways, I put the bag back on and will report back in a month or two and let us all know if that helped. So far, in just two days there is quite the noticeable improvement.
Till then,
Gale
Quick update on results from pulling the Wynn filter and replacing with the stock HF top bag. Seems to put a little more debris into the plastic bottom bag. Before, when emptying the barrel there would be about a 1/2 cup in the plastic bag. Now, with the top bag on, about a cup and a half of debris for a barrel full. It has more vacuum according to the Manometer I leave hooked up, so I can live with the extra in the bottom bag ;D. And no clogged filter! Also, no noticeable dust in the shed, where the DC resides, blowing thru the bag. Had all kinds of dust out there when the filter would clog up ::). All in all, a good change for my system. Thought I'd share the info.
Gale
Have you considered eliminating the filter altogether and piping the outlet directly outside?
Seems you aren't returning the air to the shop now. So why bother with a filter at all?
Thanks for the feedback and suggestion, Phil. I like the idea of that. Will pursue that innovation and get back with results.
Thanks!
Gale