I’ve mentioned it elsewhere, but like so many LJ’s say, no pics, didn’t happen…
This is what MDF scraps are useful for. My first couple of Thien separators were built on trash cans using MDF baffles, and plywood tops. I have since gone to hardboard baffles and reusing the drum lid. So I had to put that excess to use right?
The disks are 3/4” MDF cut into 3” disks using a cheapo HF hole saw set. I am anxious to get a much higher quality set, but these will do for now…
I will center drill them for the 1/2” rod, glue them up using the rod to align them, then epoxy the rod onto the whole assembly. Once that is done, I need to figure out a way to chuck it up to either the drill press or the lathe so that I can sand the burrs off and true it all up…
The entire thing is just under 18” long. My idea is to build a 16/32 sander, yes I think I am going to be crazy enough to try a cantilever frame. I have some ideas in Sketchup. I will hone them further as I gather materials. I have the basics down, but need to figure out adjustments for the table… This will likely be a multi year project…
-- Manufacturer of fine quality sawdust since 1984. Comments and advice on my shop welcome. Check it out at http://lumberjocks.com/dbhost/workshop. Gladly accepting shop build donations!
4 comments so far
DIYaholic
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7277 posts in 841 days
#1 posted 735 days ago
Looking forward to watching your drum sander progress, as I plan on making a drum sander (someday).
I’m curious about your hardboard baffles. How long have you been using your “new” baffles and how are they holding up. I’m about to build a Thien seperator for my HF 2HP DC and like the idea of a hardboard baffle.
Keep the progress posts coming!
-- Randy-- I may not be good...but I am slow!
dbhost
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4748 posts in 1398 days
#2 posted 735 days ago
I posted my project on that discussed the hardboard baffle 601 days ago. Aside from being somewhat dusty on the bottom, it’s in the same shape as when I installed it. It’s not like the baffle is put under a lot of stress…
-- Manufacturer of fine quality sawdust since 1984. Comments and advice on my shop welcome. Check it out at http://lumberjocks.com/dbhost/workshop. Gladly accepting shop build donations!
DIYaholic
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7277 posts in 841 days
#3 posted 735 days ago
Great, thanks for the reply. Looks like a hardboard baffle is due to be built in the near future. I picked up theaded rod today, still need to get a 35 gallon plastic barrel, fittings and the like.
Thanks for the info!
-- Randy-- I may not be good...but I am slow!
dbhost
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4748 posts in 1398 days
#4 posted 735 days ago
I would highly recommend getting a length of 5” hose, and some 5” split loc or similar HVAC pipe. Build your separator with 5” in and out and put your wye on the far side of the separator so that both 4” branches are serviced by the separator…
FWIW, I went with hardboard, because it seems to be holding up better in my environment than MDF (HIGH humidity…) Now that I think about it, I might have to rethink my drum… MDF and Houston metro aren’t friends…
-- Manufacturer of fine quality sawdust since 1984. Comments and advice on my shop welcome. Check it out at http://lumberjocks.com/dbhost/workshop. Gladly accepting shop build donations!
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