J. Phil Thien's Projects

I only care what direction because of the setup in my garage.  If it was on the other side it would be up against the wall and would be easier to connect.  Oh well, it will be fine.

Well, I finished connecting my separator.  I will post pictures some time this week.  I had to buy a crimper in order to get the 5 inch ducts work.  I made a platform to put under the separator so that when I want to empty it, I just slide out the platform, the separator moves down and disconnects from the DC, and I can slide it out.  I am using 5 inch hose, which I was able to connect by using the crimper.

Seems to be working great so far.

It was much easier to make than I expected ... once I figured out how!  I spent 2 months figurin' and 2 hours doin' !

Phil,
Do you think that you could email Robert Wong and ask him what material he used for his window?

Ray

I REALLY wish that I had made it point the other direction!    I changed my mind about where to put it, and it now points in the wrong direction!  Oh well, I will have to figure out how to make it work in the spot where I am putting the DC.

Yeah, I guess I don't understand either.  ... the piece I installed did transition to rectangular before the entrance. 

Deb,

I am not sure what you don't understand, and if you are saying that to me or someone else. 

The part that I don't think you understand is the rectangular piece.  When Phil gets the pictures up for me, it will probably be more evident, but I will try to explain.

I used a floor duct ... the kind that is a tube at one end, takes a 90 degree turn and is a rectangle at the other  The long axis of the rectangle is the same as the long axis of the cylinder.  I used the rectangle end to attach to the trash can. 

I will wait for the pictures and for your response to see if you still have questions.

Ray

I really appreciate the separator design and the help that I have gotten on this effort.  I haven't tried my separator yet, but I know that it will work great based upon the one that I built for my shop-vac and the feedback I have seen from others.

I am having problems posting ... it seems that my picture is too big.  Phil, Maybe I could send my pictures to you and you could post them.

Here is my progress.  I used the A/C duct that I mentioned earlier.  I cut the trash can with my Dremel.  I used tin snips to cut the duct so that I could bend it and shape it to the trash can.  I used a hammer to bend the duct to the shape of the circumference of the trash can.  I used door/window sealing strips to get a good seal between the trash can and the duct and used rivets to attach the duct.  I used washers with the rivets -- on both sides -- to get extra surface area on the attachment.  I was very suprised at how strong and rigid the connection is. 

I have two steps remaining:
1.  Attach new dowels to the baffle -- the current ones are too thin to give good support strength, and the new ones have to be adjusted in length for the depth of the inlet.
2.  I have to get and install a 5 inch A/C pipe into the top of the baffle. 

I should be able to do both of those things this weekend, so I hope to be sucking sawdust by EOD tomorrow!

Ray

Phil,

I am dropping a donation in the mail today (actually through my online banking).  Thanks for all the help you have given me with the separator.

Ray

I already have a metal trash can and I have already made the lid, so I will stick with it.  This may be a great idea for others, though!  Maybe I will use it for my next one!

Ray

Phil!

I don't think that you don't like plastic containers because of the static ... am I right?  BUT! I saw a sump pump container at the BORG today that would be PERFECT!  It is the perfect size, it only costs $22, it is very rigid and it had an opening in the side that would be perfect for a window.  Should I pass on it since it is plastic?

Ray

So, as I posted in a separate thread, I am going to use an A/C duct.  I guess I will try to use some rivets to connect it, but I am looking for additional ideas on how to get a good seal all the way around.

OK, I decided to go with 5" since that is the inlet size on my DC.  I am going to use an A/C floor duct -- which has a rectangular end which I will attach to the side of the trash can.  The other end is a 5 in. cylinder.  I am going to snip the rectangular end so that it has som flange pieces.  I will cut the similar rectangle in my trash can.  Now I am looking for the best way to attach it.

I think that I will put the flanges on the inside of the trash can and use rivets construction adhesive and silicone caulk to get a seal.  I may put in on the outside, though ... so as to avoid having to make the hole the exactly correct size.  Any ideas welcome on this. 

My outlet (to my DC) is going to be 5 in and go directly from the baffle lid to the DC.

Ray

Funny that you should bring up the issue of pipe size wrt the delta 50-760.  I just posted this on SMC:

I bought the delta 50-760.  I have not started using it yet, because I don't want to use it without building a Phil Thien Baffle/separator. 

Here is my issue:  What size pipes should I use?

Here is some background. 

The DC has an inlet that is 5 inches in dia.  I was spending a lot of time hunting down 6 inch piping, but I don't think that it makes sense to go over 5 inches.  In fact, that may even hurt my airflow (any fluid dynamics guys out there?).  OK, so let's say I decide to go with 5 inch ... that is even harder to find.  So now I am at the point that I am thinking that I should just go with 4 inch since the materials are readily available.  (and for those of you who are fans of Phil's design, you know that it is simpler to make the 4 inch version of the baffle.)  I could have this up and running in a couple of hours.

Please share your thoughts.
Ray

OH, and I should add that I will have very short runs to my machines ... and may even just roll it to the machines for a while.

So my intake on the DC is 5 inches ... so I am wondering if it is worth putting 6 inch on the separator or if 5 inches would be better.  Going for 6 inches will take up more space from the trash can.

I have been planning to use 6 inch on all of my runs to my machines.  I am not an engineer and don't really understand the fluid mechanics involved here.  Will going from a 5 inch DC intake and up-sizing to 6 inch help or hurt my dust collection? ... or will it have no effect?  I know that it is hard to find 5 inch pipes, but I think there is an irrigation supply nearby who will have it if I try to go that way.