J. Phil Thien's Projects

Does anyone have any input on the diameter of the bell outlet in relation to the inner edge of the drop chute. (the size of the bell compared to the diameter of the chamber. By the sounds of the past discussions a bell outlet is one of the best ways to go. I am still mullin over the size of my tophat design so was also wondering what real effects the thickness of the baffle plate has on the collector? As usual all input is appreciated. I also apologize for my other long winded post as I wrote that before I dove into the inner depths of these discussions.

Cory

Hello,
          Just joined the forum in my long  search for a dust collection solution.This will be a long post since I kinda have a lot of research I am trying to find the answers to. I am student finishing up my degree, have been woodworking since a child but only in the past few years I feel have graduating into fine woodworking. To cut a long story short I have been researching dust collection for the past several months gathering information on the best DIY solution. Bill Pentz provided a myriad of information and research that explains the whole idea of dust collection. My original plan was to build a cyclone to suit my shop vac. I am sure anyone who has seen his research was overwhelmed, as I was, with the engineering of the task. But April Wilkersons' YouTube channel saved the day when she posted about the Thien Baffle. To make this short, I understand the 240 degrees drop chute as well as the placement if the inlet. I have seen baffles where the inlet is a simple 90 degree fitting, straight tube right into the baffle, or a small rectangle that takes the inlet tube then enters the baffle after a short run (much like the toilet bowl rides at the water park). Which way would be the most effective? I believe the 90 degree fitting is the easiest but understand fluid resistance I feel a forty five degree fitting would be better? Either way I will not be doing that method, as I think that the fitting interrupts the cyclone action. Another question was how tall should the the chamber of the baffle be. I see most plans having the baffle chamber being as tall the inlet to maximize the refuse space below. I will be using a 1.5 inlet possibly 2" but nothing much larger. I feel that the baffle should be be no smaller than four inches. That way the thien baffle begins to act more like a standard cone cyclone separator. If anyone has constructed one and found some results were lacking I would appreciate your input and will post my final results and some specifications that I found to be helpful. Potentially SketchUp model if this forum would benefit from one.

P.S. There were to many influences in my research to cite all of them, the above mentioned were the ones that stood out in the past weeks and changed my evolved my design greatly.