How to determine sawdust level?

[shoottmx]

Apologies if this has been asked and answered, I've searched the forum unsuccessfully.

I'm just setting up a Thein baffle on a 30 gallon metal trash can. How do you go about checking the sawdust level without removing the lid/baffle assembly?

Thanks, Gary

[Bulldog8]

I have a tophat style separator on a 30 gallon plastic barrel. The tophat has clear sides so I can see the cyclonic action. I know that the barrel is almost full when the dust does not settle out of the tophat. I usually fill the barrel to about 2" below the baffle.

Others have cut a slot out of metal cans and installed a clear plastic window with screws or rivets and then sealed with silicon, to be able to see the sawdust level in their barrel.

Steve

[shoottmx]

Had thought about the plastic window approach but assumed static would attract the fines to the plastic blocking the view inside. Guess that fear is unfounded. Thanks for your help Steve.

Gary

[RonS]

Here is a very simple way to see the SD level.

http://www.jpthien.com/smf/index.php?topic=684.msg3979#msg3979

Ron