Width of 'Drop Slot'

[B2Pi]

For those who've built a baffle with 4- or 6- inch pipes, it seems to me that the spec width of the drop slot (the diameter difference in the baffle) is 1/2 the size of the inlet pipe. Has anyone done other than 1 1/8" and, with what effect?

Cheers

[phil (admin)]

For those who've built a baffle with 4- or 6- inch pipes, it seems to me that the spec width of the drop slot (the diameter difference in the baffle) is 1/2 the size of the inlet pipe. Has anyone done other than 1 1/8" and, with what effect?

Cheers

The slot has to be large enough to prevent clogging (where debris bunches up and won't pass through into the bin), and small enough to prevent the airflow from scrubbing already separated debris.

I don't typically suggest increasing the size of the slot unless clogging is occurring.  Some guys that plane soft pine (very stringy results) have increased by 1/4 to 3/8" to prevent clogging.