J. Phil Thien's Projects

Coaster,

I've wondered the same thing, and figured that I'd run it as is for a while and see when/if the bag starts to accumulate anything.

If it doesn't, I'll shorten the plastic bag and use the base to store wood or tools. 

I don't want the separator can there, as it would involve more piping... I like the very short runs present now.

I enlisted the aid of my 20 year old son to hold the motor up in position (attached to the hinged wooden support boards).  While he was holding it (and complaining loudly) I determined the position (vertical and horizontal) and poked a sharpie pen through predriled holes in the board that attaches to the wall.  Then he put the entire unit down on the floor.

I used these markings to drill into the brick wall.  Then I separated the hinges and mounted the wall board.  Next was to convinced him to flex his muscles as he held the unit while I aligned the hinges and attached the motor board to the wall board..

As a precaution, we had a stool positioned below the motor in the event that he had to set it down, but that got in the way more than it was helpful.

I used up quite a bit of 'son-brawn-allocation' that afternoon.

Oh, and no... I didn't get it aligned properly on the first try (as you might see from the extra holes in the wall and board in the detail photos)... third time was a charm <vbg>

I finally got around to finishing a separator for a Harbor Freight unit.

Just to be different (and to see how this would work) I remounted the motor, and piped it into a separator that uses a trash can lid for the input ports.

Take a peek at my web page for photos of the build process.

Enjoy!

I have a 4" dust collector elbow (tapered on each end to accept a hose), and I was thinking about cutting a circular hole with either a jig saw, or perhaps a hole cutting jig on a Rotozip (if there's a bit for cutting sheet metal)

To fasten the elbow, I figured a bead of JB weld on each side of the sheet metal should hold it quite nicely (or a couple of small L brackets and pop rivets). 

The port in the center of the top is a "jointer dust collection" port... 6" square... should be very simple to fasten that over the 4" hole.

What do you think?  I'll see if I can remember to make some photos of the build... especially if I go this route.

I see that many folk use plywood atop a galvanized metal trash can.

Is there any compelling reason not to use the trash can lid as the top?  It's not that tough to cut through the sheet metal... though it might flex a small bit under vacuum pressure.  The one I have is a pretty snug fit, so it looks like a good item to keep in the construction.

Any thoughts about this?  I;m about to make one with a 30gal can, 4" ports.  I can go either route (wood or metal), so your thoughts are appreciated.