Adding A Filter To Your Thien Baffle Dust Collector Build And Modification

I built this dust collector a couple of years ago. When I made a video of it last year the most common comment was about fine dust particles. I was not showing how to build the whole system but just how to make the separator. My system vented to the outside so an fine particles did not go into the air in my shop. I realize that may people need to the exhaust inside. At the suggestion of a viewer I purchased a Donaldson filter. I was worried that adding a filter would hurt my suction. I did an air flow test before and after adding the filter. I was surprised with the results.
This is the filter I used.
amzn.to/3JPTbOo
Here is the Miter Protractor if anyone is interested.
amzn.to/3PPEOx7

[@PMichaels]

Great video! Shop dust collection is such an interesting science. Your setup (which looks great, by the way) shows that suction sometimes doesn't follow logic. I too would have expected your's to stay the same or decrease slightly. I didn't expect an increase, but it makes sense now. I have an old green HF DC and last year I modified it with a large Dust Deputy and a big filter. The performance is so much better now -- plus it is making the air in the shop cleaner and it's easier to dispose of the sawdust. I also have to avoid the temptation to make every inch of it airtight. It needs to be airtight in the proper places but there still needs to be enough air entering the system for it to be effective, which seemed counterintuitive at the time but now makes perfect sense. Great job with this video! 👍🏼

[@ShopRamblings]

I was concerned about the air having to make two 90⁰ turns would decrease flow. Typically, each 90 would cause a 5% decrease. By increasing the size, it mitigated the friction loss.

[@brandonharjer8508]

I love this channel! Another great video.

[@ShopRamblings]

Thanks. Maybe one day I can retire, so I will have time to make more videos. I am trying to increase the amount and quality of videos. Comments like this definitely motivate me to do more.

[@shopundertheoaks]

Thanks for another great video! I ordered mine today!

[@ShopRamblings]

Hope you enjoy it!

[@martyjosephson4937]

Nice!! Thanks for sharing, I also live in Fla. so I know the Humidly as well

[@ShopRamblings]

I tried filming outside this morning. I had to change clothes by 10 am because it looked like I had fallen in the pool.

[@design8studio]

Great video. Thanks

[@ShopRamblings]

Glad you liked it!

[@struggle375]

Cool vid!

[@ShopRamblings]

Thanks

[@bobjustice8014]

I would think you shop air would get more

[@ShopRamblings]

I vented outside for a couple of years. I added a filter to try and save on the ac in thr summer.

[@ridingunicorn6476]

I'm glad i found your channel. I'm also in FL and will be picking up a DC soon. My garage is not insulated nor have any sort of AC. Do you have thoughts on mounting the DC outside and running just the hose/plumbing inside the shop?

[@ShopRamblings]

I had thought of doing that. I figured if I mounted it outside, I would forget to empty it. With it inside, I can see it every time I walk by.

[@ridingunicorn6476]

@@ShopRamblings Thank you for the response! I don't think (hope) I would forget to empty it. My garage space is at a premium (I get about 1/4th of a 2 car garage for my workshop. So having dust collection is a must, along with saving space. I don't have a lot of knowledge/experience in this area, but from your perspective, I shouldn't have any concerns about putting it outside in a small shed with vents in this FL heat/humidity and our "cold" winters?

[@ShopRamblings]

I would not expect you to have any problems. I would maybe hook up a light inside the comes on when it is running. That way you don't forget it running.

[@ridingunicorn6476]

@@ShopRamblings What an excellent idea!

[@jameswentworth]

Wondering how you address the dust that builds up in the filter and the box you built. No matter how well the Thien portion works, the reason you have a filter is that their is still dust coming out of the propeller unit. I've seem some that would put a small bucket to collect fine dust on the bottom of the box under the filter. What is your experience?

[@ShopRamblings]

I just recently added the filter. My experience so far has been surprising. When I emptied my barrel, I started blowing out the filter. Way more dust than expected came out. For now, I am using a leaf blower to clean the filter outside. I haven't noticed dust building up inside the box, but a bucket under is a good idea. I could blow it out in place and catch most below in the bucket. This has given me a few ideas for when I have some time.

[@davidgrudin3282]

what filter canister did you use

[@ShopRamblings]

It is a Donaldson. I have a link in the description to the one I used.