J. Phil Thien's Projects

On the air straightener question - if you read through retired2's build thread you will find they improve performance quite a bit.  They are not that hard to build.  I used 2 pieces of aluminum flashing crossed in the outlet of the separator and epoxied to the sides. 

The best answer I can give you is go with the bigger duct for as long as practical..  Transitions should be made at the machine. 

Where does the Wye discharge to?  A trash can?  Interesting I wonder if you could use this in series with your Thein separator to improve dust removal?

Pictures showing the trial arrangement of the can, separator and blower.  Still need to build the inlet duct, suction for the blower and the the cart (all in various stages of completion)

An update - wish I had pictures but, I am traveling today and will post some when I get home.  I have cut the bottom and top ring have wrapped it in aluminum flashing.  I have also cut some stanchions and to support and space between top and bottom.  Mine will be a rectangular inlet 6 x 3.25.  Most of the ducting will be plywood.  My design is a bit different as the flashing wraps around the outside of the top piece and inside of the bottom

Sorry, my intention was to have the waste container drop down in some fashion - either by use of latches or toggle clamps - and have the blower and separator fixed in place.   

And I was also intending in using straightening vanes and a bell mouth in the separator to address those issues as my current design would have the "cyclone" turning in same direction as the fan. 

My bandsaw is a newer unit (circa 2004) and has a 4" port in it.  I was also going to modify it and put a hood directly below the table with a 2.5 duct to it

I am planning to put together a dust collection system for my bandsaw. (14" grizzly) I am planning on using the ever popular harbor freight 2 hp. I am planning a top hat build with the fan mounted directly on top of the top hat and the top hat inlet at the same level as the bandsaw dust port with all 5 inch duct work. I plan on keeping all duct work as short as possible.  I have a few questions.

1. I don't see too many designs where the fan is mounted directly on top of the separator is there a problem with this design?

2. I will wind up with a fairly short container below the separator. How short of a container causes problems?  Dust port on the band saw is ~ 30" of the floor at the center.

3. I want to also add a Wynn 35a filter and I see 2 options - one is a nano version($177) and the other is a 80/20 blend($115) both appear to be rated the same.  Any reason I should go for the more expensive one?

rough sketch of plan attached