Does it improve the system if the collection can is not circular in cross-section? I think that the complex curve of the inside of the garbage can would slow down the air flow. Any thoughts on this?

One thing about the internet is we can be sure some thing will stay the same, but most things will change!

For clarification though, My link in the above article for the Woodcraft Separator I link to, http://www.woodcraft.com/family.aspx?familyid=4310 specifically cites the part number you want. (part# 143868). When you go to the page at Woodcraft’s site as you say, The description seems that they are describing both separators with the description for the large one, but the description for the small one is just below. It reads: “Mini Dust Collection Separator. For use with shop vacs. Similar to above, but fits on a 5 gallon bucket. Inlet and outlet accept a 2-1/2″ hose. ABS plastic.” As to the sale price? well that is always subject to change.

Regarding Harbor Freight? Going forward, that is the one I would recommend anyone buy. Andy’s link is good: http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=9586 The part number is: ITEM 9586-0VGA.

I have personally been to HF and examined these. They are exactly, the very same lid, in the very same box, sold for less than half what Woodcraft charges. It is $8.00 and you modify it exactly as I outlined. Why pay more? Do what is most convenient for you, but really, more than anything, put a separator on your shop vac and you’ll be glad you did.

Re Andy’s suggestion to use Harbor Freights &7.99 rather than Woodcraft’s, it turns out that both HF and WC have two sizes of “Separator Lids”. HF states that theirs are 21″ ($20) and 12″ ($8). The big one uses 4″ hose and comes with an elbow; the little one doesn’t have an elbow.

The WC website says that both WC separator lids are for 30 gal trash cans, both accept 4″ hoses, and both have an elbow. I’ve seen the boxes for these separator lids in the WC Raleigh store, and for a variety of reasons, I think their description of the small lid is erroneous — I think they didn’t bother to change the description for the little one. The large and small WC lids are regularly $29 and $21; currently they are sale for a few dollars less.

Incidentally, on both HF and WC websites you can find the lids by searching with the keyword ” separator”.

Cheers, and don’t forget not to inhale …

Your design of the baffle plate works very well. I was able to obtain a 99.52% efficiency with the baffle plate and 0% with out it. The only major difference with what I have constructed is that my intake is on the side of the bucket and I used the standard bucket lid.

Thank you for taking the time to write such a helpful article.

One issue not described in the article is the need for a coupler between the inlet on the lid and the standard 2 1/2 wet/dry vac hose. I found a flexible connector at Lowes (http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=23473-34146-RC50) that works perfectly.

I used melamine coated 3/16 hardboard, sandwiched to 3/8 and slick on both sides for the baffle.

Thanks again, Rob for the great design and for your willingness to share!

Thanks for the excellently written article.

Chris, your comments are right on. The lid by itself is useless. I tested and found the same issues you did, but, the lid has good bones. Your method of cutting off and moving one of the hose bosses to the center works. Main thing being, do as you like but the the lid must seal and the outlet to vacuum must come out of the center of the lid, or you’ve got nothing. I outlined the why of that in both my articles.

Andy, you just made the cost of building the 5-Gallon Thien Separator $12.00 cheaper. That is exactly the same lid. It will save future builders a bunch of money. To be sure, this thing is so cheap for what it does, it nearly makes me laugh. You’ll have Maybe $20 in it if you use an HF lid. You could make a plywood lid and two of the router fence fittings I used as an alternative as well. Just a scaled down version of Phil’s full size design. All paths will lead to a Shop Vac that won’t lose suction from filter clogging for a long time.

Thanks a lot for the great comments guys!

Rob

Andy