J. Phil Thien's Projects

Thanks for replies.  My concern was size of the slots and the lid/baffle being too low as it is about 3.25-3.5 inches below where intake hose enters the cyclone cylinder area.  After seeing how well just the silicone held frame to the barrel lid this morning  after drying (VERY impressed with strength) I have decided to cut the whole center out of the lid and use a conventional baffle suspended with threaded rods.  This will leave me ~ .25 inch lip below the baffle where the barrel lid and dust collector frame meet which I don't think will be a concern.  I will add a bit more silicone to kind of bevel that lip so chips fall on down into the barrel.

@Alan- gotcha on the teardrop shapes.  I was referring to the adding a piece of pipe to the center section suggestion.  Is there an optimal distance configuration on how far that should be from the baffle or debris inlet?  Also was is the optimal baffle depth as well?  Most videos, etc. I have seen suggested about 3/4" or so below debris inlet.  Is this correct?

Thanks for the replies.  @retired2 I was wondering if I should enlarge the holes.  Thought that they seem pretty small.  I don't do a ton of thickness planing, but I do some from time to time.  Good suggestion.  @Alan M - I don't think I am quite sure I know what you mean.  Since mine is not finished thought I would add a pic of what I am basically copying but trying to use the bag housing frame/ring for my baffle.  My plan is to reduce that hole in the middle which is ~9.5 inches down to a 5 inch pipe and re-use the original hose to connect it to the motor.
 

lid cut out baffle pic.  Sorry did not get a good one with full cut out.  You can see where I have shaded the cut outs with marker.  Had to leave a couple of tabs so lid does not get too flimsy.

Trying to mod as little as possible and use a plastic 55 gallon drum.  My thoughts are glue the bag housing right to the top of the drum lid and cut my baffle into the lid.  I plan on using the cart to set the drum on and wall mount the motor directly above drum.  Here is my setup.