retired2 I was following your build and noticed you have the same DC that I have with a CW rotation, and you separator has a CCW rotation and/or spin, so I guess that is the way to go or do you need to add strengtheners as this discussion implies. I am just about ready to build something similar to what you have and am undecided as to the direction of the separator. I like the idea of providing a new base for the entire unit. I have the pleated cartridge filter on mine.