First Thien Style Separator Build

[dwall174]

Hello I'm new to the forum & looking for basic information & any tips or suggestions on building my first Thien style separator. I've read a lot of threads here & on other forums & I've watched a bunch of videos on building the Thien style separators.

Here's the items I've gathered together so far for the build!
1st is a Cincinnati 200S barrel style dust collector, Here's a pdf link with the specs.
https://www.cincinnatifan.com/catalogs/DustCollectors108-sls.pdf
 
For the filters I picked up 3 surplus canister filters! I originally only planed to use one filter with the set-up & keep the other two for back-ups, But I may decide to go with dual filters if using one filter creates too much of an exhaust restriction? Here's the specs. on the filters.
https://www.industrialcartridgefilters.com/MANUALS_TECH_DATA/1565954%20DRAWING.pdf
https://www.industrialcartridgefilters.com/MANUALS_TECH_DATA/Tech%20Data%20Sheet%201565954.pdf

For my collection can I'm using a heavy duty 32 gallon galvanized metal trash can.

As for the construction of the unit, I'm pretty much going to try & follow the information on this old thread by "pitbull"http://www.jpthien.com/smf/index.php?topic=429.msg2187#msg2187 I noticed that "pitbull" hasn't posted since Oct. of 2014! But his method of using the kerf-cut plywood is basically how I'm making mine.

In my case I got some pre-cut kerf material from a friend that was left overs from a cement forming project. The material is about 9-3/8" wide & about 7 foot long so I should have more than enough for the project! Probably enough for a another smaller unit made for my shop-vac, Provided I don't mess-up on the first attempt.  ;D

Doug

[dwall174]

Here's some more pictures of my blower unit disassembled, The impeller is aluminum & if I remember correctly it's a little over 12" dia.

Doug

[dwall174]

Here's a couple of pictures of the filters I'm going to use, I got them for $25 each from a machinery surplus store.

Doug

[retired2]

It looks like you have all the basic components to build a very workable dust collection system.  The spec's all seem acceptable, but how adequate the blower is will depend on the plumbing, i.e., how long, what size, how many bends, how much flex, etc.

Personally, I was never crazy about the kerfed separator wall method.  It just seemed like a lot of work to cut all those kerfs, and then have to line it with laminate, and in the process risk cracking one or both materials. And, of course solid walls do not allow you to see what is going on inside your separator.  That may not be important to you, but it has become my security blanket.  Since you already have the kerfed wall material, you have a different equation.

Good luck.

[dwall174]

It looks like you have all the basic components to build a very workable dust collection system.

I'm sure I will add & change things as I go, But I figure it's a good starting point!

The spec's all seem acceptable, but how adequate the blower is will depend on the plumbing, i.e., how long, what size, how many bends, how much flex, etc.

I'm still working the details out on that since space is an issue!
Really my only stationary item is a radial arm saw with a customized T-track table top that I use all the time! All of my other equipment is on wheels & is moved around as needed. The dust collector will be located in the corner of my garage & for now I'm just figuring on running a 6" dia. X 12 foot long metal main line along the wall of the garage.
One combination 4" & 1-1/2" outlet with a blast gate will be used for the RAS & I'll probably only need one additional 4"  outlet with a blast gate & about 8 feet of flex hose to connect equipment as needed.

Personally, I was never crazy about the kerfed separator wall method.  It just seemed like a lot of work to cut all those kerfs, and then have to line it with laminate

Yeah I agree that cutting all those kerfs would be a lot of extra work!
But in my case the kerfed material was given to me for free so I figured I would give it a try.

And of course solid walls do not allow you to see what is going on inside your separator.

I can see where seeing inside could be helpful when first setting everything up!
But after it's all set-up, I don't think I would really wan't to be watching my dust collector while running a piece of equipment.

Doug

[retired2]

And of course solid walls do not allow you to see what is going on inside your separator.

I can see where seeing inside could be helpful when first setting everything up!
But after it's all set-up, I don't think I would really wan't to be watching my dust collector while running a piece of equipment.

Doug
[/quote]

I can assure you I don't watch my separator during machining operations.  That's probably one of the reasons I still have all my fingers.  In fact, I've never had anything more serious than a splinter.  I found the clear sides helpful for two reasons.  During my build I was testing a number of different design ideas, so it was good to feed the separator via a floor sweep and watch what happens.  Now I am no longer testing different build combinations, but I have a few long runs that take a little time for the waste to clear.  In fact, I have automatic overrun set in my starter to insure that I don't power down the blower before the lines and separator have cleared.  It is reassuring to glance over to the separator and see that the final bit of spinning waste has dropped into the waste drum.

There are probably a number of ways to clog up a dust collection system, and I found one of them.  When it happens it is a PIA to undo, and it creates a lot of down time.  Heaven forbid, if my clogs had backed up into the ductwork I would have had a major problem.  If I did not have clear sides in my separator, I am sure my birds nest would have backed up into the mains before I discovered it.

[dwall174]

I can assure you I don't watch my separator during machining operations.

Sorry if you misunderstood my comment about watching the dust collector, I didn't mean to insinuate that you did!
I was referring to myself as being easily distracted by trying to watch the separator during other operations.

As a kid it took me several years to figure out if that light inside the refrigerator actually ever went out or not  ::)

There are probably a number of ways to clog up a dust collection system, and I found one of them.

I hadn't thought about a clog!
I imagine that it's not really that hard to do, And things can probably go bad quickly.

With the solid sides it would probably help out to at-least add a couple viewing windows to the top cover.

Doug

[retired2]

There are probably a number of ways to clog up a dust collection system, and I found one of them.

I hadn't thought about a clog!
I imagine that it's not really that hard to do, And things can probably go bad quickly.

With the solid sides it would probably help out to at-least add a couple viewing windows to the top cover.

Doug

Actually, it is pretty hard to clog up the separator.  You almost have to be trying.  I did it by planing some very wet cypress with a 12" thickness planer.  That created some very long shavings that quickly hung up in the end of the drop slot.  Once the end of the slot clogged, the incoming waste piled up behind it in just a minute or two.  At that point the entire drop slot was closed, and the separator totally filled with shavings in a matter of seconds.  I caught it just in time or I would have been disassembling my main header to get the mess out.  As it was, it was not easy to clean the separator since I had to fish out the shavings through the drop slot from below.

Another way that is possible to clog the separator is by overfilling the waste drum.  I have not done that largely due to the clear sides.  When the drum is getting full it is easy to detect because the waste keeps spinning rather than dropping.

With regard to your window idea.   I'm not sure that would work for me.  I can see what is going on in my separator from anywhere in the shop, even 20 feet away.  I doubt I could do that with a window, unless it was very large.  And you really should have two windows - one on the opposite side to allow light in