J. Phil Thien's Projects

Were it me, I'd ditch the bag and exhaust outside or go to a Wynn filter.

I have an old PS 1HP DC that I added a Wynn filter to instead of the original bags and the difference in performance was astounding - much higher CFM and much cleaner air.  But it is time to improve on that in my shop so I'm beginning a new project I've referenced in another thread.  I'll try to provide more details as I progress.

i know it seems crazy to consider spending $100 on a filter for an $80 blower, but the filters are that good and will last a very long time.

If you must use a bag, get one at least 5 micron, 1 micron would be even better.

I've a attached a sketch that might explain better.  The input from the machines would come into the separator on the left side in this image, straight into the circular section.  The HF blower/motor is mounted directly above the central hole (exit) in the separation chamber.  I understand that I'll need to bring a pipe down into the chamber an inch or two, at least that's what I think I've read in other threads.

What I wasn't clear on was the width of the slot where the chips fall into the collection box.  It seemed that 1-1/8" was about right  for a shop vac powered system with 2-1/4" hose.  I'm planning at least 4" ducting from the machines, maybe larger.  Should the slot be wider?  Half the nominal duct size?

Hi all.  New user here.  I've been lurking a few days and decided to improve my dust collection capabilities.

I've acquired a new HF 2HP dust collector, but do not plan to assemble it per their instructions.  Instead I want to mount the motor/blower directly on top of a Thien separator blowing directly into a Wynn filter I already have. 

Questions:
1.  Has anyone considered using a simple plywood box underneath the Thien baffle to collect the chips?  it seems that this would be an easy way to create something that cannot collapse.  My intuition tells me that the box could be square for easy construction and not affect separation.

2.  Assuming the above is acceptable, is there any reason the top of said box could not be square with the baffle slot routed into it?  To put it another way, instead of creating a separate piece to sit in a round opening, just make the opening in the piece that is the top.

3.  Any reason not to use clear poly carbonate to create a circular separation chamber that sits on top of the chip collection box?  I'm planning a side inlet for this.

4.  I'm going to use either 4" S&D or 6" coming into the separator.  Should the width of the 240 degree slot be wider?

Thanks to all