J. Phil Thien's Projects

Doug,

Isn't it ever!  I learned of it from a post on SMC.

Thanks for the complement.

Have fun...

Dik

I guess I'll give my original idea a try.  Hopefully, I can adjust the amount of bypass air enough with the ball valve to be able to eliminate the buckling of teh can but not so much as to reduce the vacuum at the business end.  I'll keep you posted.

Later:
Well, I tried it, and it does elimnate the can buckling without harming the vacuum at the business end.  I used a .75" elbow, extension and ball valve, and can close the valve about half way and still not get buckling.

It didn't eliminate fines getting to the filter.  I didn't test enough to see if it reduced the amount.  I think  I'll try your plastic piece to the inside of the inlet.  I'll just angle the bypass air elbow so that the air stream passes along the plastic before getting to the main stream.

Have fun...

Dik

Since I'm going to need some bypass air, where would be the most effective location?

Phil,

I'm have been thinking about what you have said about bypass air when using small hoses.  I also saw what you posted today about adding an extension to the inboard side of the inlet.  Would a small bypass inlet to the inboard of the inlet, facing at a slight angle to the incoming air stream to help force it toward the outside help?  I'll see if I can draw up what I'm considering and post it later.  I see the bypass being made of a 1" PVC el and ball valve.

Okay, I've attached my idea...

Have fun...

Dik

Finally got around to building a separator.  I decided that the barrel I was going to use was too big for the area I wanted to use it in, so I bought a 20 gallon metal trashcan. 

Rather than repeat here what I've already published, I'll just post this link to my blog.

http://ezsmart.blogspot.com/2008/08/separator-for-shop-vacuum.html

I will note that when I connect to the 1.25" hose that I use on the circular saw and sanders, the sides of the can buckle a bit.  I'm going to design a connector that I can adjust to relieve some of the vacuum when I use it with something other than 2.25" hoses.

Thanks, but I'm hardly a professional.  I like using SketchUp (SU) and like planning my projects with it.  I'm a very visual person, I need to see what I'm planing and that is easier with SU than with anything else I have ever used.  And it helps me catch problems before I start work.  Woodworking, computers, SketchUp and animation are my hobbies now that I'm retired from being a computer jock.

Have fun...

Dik

So much so I have already started a design for mine.