J. Phil Thien's Projects

Well, I managed to locate this sturdy pool chemical container which I'm now fairly certain will not work.  :(



I kept thinking it might lend itself to a side intake design but I believe the square sides are not conducive for it. Also, it's now very apparent the top is considerably smaller than the body which definitely makes fitting any baffle inside virtually impossible. Not to mention I've yet to see anyone do a square baffle?

Guess I got so excited by my find I lost sight of the impractical shape. The search continues...

Thank you very much Sub-Dooood, this design looks like it might be exactly what I need...
I will try to locate a 7-gal bucket so I can get started soon.

BTW, I really like the side intake style. Does it help minimize the baffle intrusion within the bucket compared with the double hose through the lid design?

Thanks Chuck for your prompt reply. You're correct regarding the hose diameter for the tools not having a 4" dust port. I've tried using 4" to 2-1/4" adapters from Woodcraft that I've installed on each tool but I don't think they're helping. BTW, given the 2" diameter exhaust port constraints would I be better off staying with that size for the separator or continue using the 4" diameter even though it necks down at each tool?

I also agree with you concerning the DC "canvas" dust bag... virtually useless. But more concerning to me is the lack of CFMs. I'm surprised you didn't mention how inadequate the 660 cfm vacuum is. I half expected to hear that I should stick with the shop vac instead of the DC.

As for the separator container, I haven't found any good 20 gal models, least not locally and inexpensively. All the 31-gal galvanized cans I found at HD look sort of thin too. I've read here where some ppl are experiencing some "puckering" even with the metal cans. Can someone make a recommendation? Is there any reason to believe the 5-gal plastic bucket might not work at least for me as a first effort (it's interior is smoother and walls seems thicker than most of metal cans I've seen)?

Anyway, thanks again for your input.

Greetings Everyone...

This is my first post and I've learned a great deal here and am really appreciative for all the great info Phil and you guys provide. I'm a novice at woodworking and still learning about dust collection so please excuse me for any "noob" questions.

Before I started really understanding all that was involved in woodworking I purchased some inexpensive tools at HF. One of which was their Central Machinery 31810http://www.harborfreight.com/13-gallon-industrial-portable-dust-collector-31810.html. This is not the little red unit which produces a higher airflow, but the one rated at 660cfm. I also have a Craftsman 16gal/5.25hp shop vac.

My tool collection consists primarily of a Bosch 4000 table saw, Bosch 1617EVSPK router kit, an Hitachi 12' compound miter saw, an HF adjustable full Size router table with router, an HF oscillating spindle sander, an HF belt and disc sander, HF tiny drill press and a few other various small power tools. I'm only an occasional user but I have some ideas for future home improvement projects.

My concern is the HF 1HP DC unit. As expected, I used it once and the results were very unsatisfying to say the least. Had I known then what I know now... let's just say I would have sprung for the larger 2HP unit. Since it technically is more than a year later (I acquired most of these tools well before I began using them) it's way too late to return/exchange it.

I guess the bottom line question is this, is this little low cfm HF 1HP DC adequate for use in a dust separator design? Or should I concentrate on incorporating the shop vac? BTW, I plan to start small using either an existing 5-gal plastic bucket or purchasing a 10-gal galvanized can.

Thanks again for the great info, designs and help...