J. Phil Thien's Projects

Quote from: ORBlackFZ1 on July 27, 2014, 11:51:52 AM
1.  a lip, the thickness of the Lexan, right below it.  This keeps the Lexan from slipping down and provides a nice shelf to set it on when assembling.

If you look at the sketchup file it does have a little lip.  You may be able to see it in the inlet detail picture above.  In my case though, the lexan is only 0.08, instead of 1/8in thick, so I had to change the diameter of the outer baffle circle to accommodate it. I also have the notch in the top for the lexan which you can see in the sketchup file.  It is .25 inch deep. I like the idea you posted though about the chamfer and oak piece and may incorporate that. 

Anything to make it leak free, thanks for the tips!

I missed the link

Quote from: BernardNaish on July 26, 2014, 12:42:44 PM
Nice work. The bellmouth should idealy have an eliptical shape

Thanks BernardNaish.  That's exactly what I was trying to say when I typed "Irregular Curve".  I just couldn't find the words at the time  :-\ 

Quote from: BernardNaish on July 26, 2014, 12:42:44 PM
There is something to be said to make this a 1 1/4 or 1 1/2 top hat. EG height of chamber is inlet height x 1 1/4 or 1 1/2. Its thought this may help separate fines.

It is just as you describe.  I wasn't aware of the suggestion you posted but was merely following the dimensions posted by Retired2. You guys know way more about this than I do.  I'm just trying to post some directions on making the thing haha. A picture is below.  My inlet is 4" and the outlet is a 5" circle to connect to my Harbor Freight DC. 


The Sketchup file was too large to attach here so I had to share the link below:
Retired2 Thien Dust Separator by Justin Hill

Thanks!  I envy your knowledge to do the testing, a lot of which I don't understand.  I'm learning more and more every day but still have a long way to go with engineering.  I somehow skipped physics in high school and college, while becoming a physician assistant, so I started on Khanacademy last week.

OK, Here it is.  I'm still creating scenes to show the measurements in an easy way.

I included more support on the bottom underneath the baffle so you don't need a support rod.  Someone on here earlier did that I think but can't remember their name. 

Currently the bellmouth outlet pipe is 3.75 in from the top.  Looks like 3" produces better numbers.  I'll update that in the sketchup file. 

I tried to create an irregular curve on the bellmouth, after reading the article Retired2 posted, but it's not very noticeable here.  I did a 9" circle for the bellmouth, I'm not sure the actual diameter of the one Retired2 used.  This looked about right.  I have yet to add the air straightener but it will be an easy fix.  Any final suggestions on what distance it should be from the opening of the bellmouth, or how far it should travel up the outfeed pipe?



From the bottom you can see the extra support.  The left side under the baffle could be beveled to ease airflow but I was really having trouble trying to do this in the sketchup file. 


Here is some detail from the inside looking at the inlet.  You can see the Lexan that is recessed in the frame on top and the ends.  It seems the consensus is Lexan and not acrylic. (I think I said that right).


If anyone has any suggestions to add to the file before I finish it let me know.  I'm going to add little dimension tabs in each scene so there is more clarity for others trying to build this design.  Many Thanks again to Phil Thien, Retired2, Plauale, and any others I forgot!

Fair enough.  Credit to Phil as well although that's a given seeing it's his site and all the research he's done.  ;D

Here is a start. Those silly curves are no joke in sketchup.  ::) I have the 1/8th offset and will make a note to make the end of the curve on the left of the intake tighter, like Retired2 did, to decrease turbulence.

I Love it! I'm just getting ready to start building, but like all of my projects I am creating a sketchup file for this.  Once I am done I will share it as long as it is ok.  All credit for design goes to Retired2.  Amazing build!