Harbor Freight 2HP Dust Collector Modification Part 1/3

Modify a one-stage Harbor Freight 2HP dust collector to a two-stage with a Thien baffle. Key takeaways:
- You don't have to pick up the motor while you measure.
- You don't have to spend a lot of money.
- You don't have to build a new dolly.
I also post pictures of things I build on Instagram: / thesnekkershow .
This video is not sponsored, but I may earn a small commission if you use one of these links to make a purchase:
Rockler 4” x 2' stretch hose: amzn.to/3bDOXsH
Rockler 4” x 4' stretch hose: amzn.to/38VGuQ5
4” black corrugated snap coupler: amzn.to/3bR03uM
Rockler threaded disconnect fitting: amzn.to/3nW9mvu
4” hand-keyed hose clamps: amzn.to/38Vf6Bv
4” PVC coupler: amzn.to/3imTUaV

[@TheFalconJetDriver]

Thanks for the tip on the corrugated drain fitting you used, I bought one and as you said used a wood chisel ( cheap one ) and knocked of the taps real easy. The fitting was a little too snug on both the Supper Dust Deputy and the Harbor Freight side, so I placed my SDD in a deep freezer for 30 minutes the coupling slid right on. I Placed the Harbor Freight part in the freezer for 30 minutes and they slid together nicely.

[@TheSnekkerShow]

Glad it worked out.

[@mikedurkee7296]

Thank you for the freezer idea! The tolerances on that fit would be measured in the hundredths if not thousandths... I put the metal conical housing and the black plastic piece that comes with the HF dust extractor in the freezer for a couple of hours and the coupling in the blazing sun and it just and I mean JUST got it to "slide" together.... it took a fair amount of stubbornness, muscle, and getting it started just right to get it on... I'm thinking that no goop will be needed to seal the seems on that fit but will probably do it anyway... Thank you TheFalconJetDriver and Ben.... my two stage dust collector is coming together... and yes I am a complete newbie when it comes to creating sawdust. Ben your channel is so amazingly helpful. I know it takes a ton of time to not only do the things you do when videoing, but editing, posting, responding, etc etc etc... whilst being a dad and husband. Good on ya dude!

[@thatguythatdoesstuff7448]

The coupler for the hose>separator connection is an elegant solution. Will be stealing that.

[@advance3974]

I like your set up. I was going to try and copy it. I tried using the 4 inch coupler on my HF dust collector, I just couldn't get it to go on. My HF dust collector is an older model I think. Mine is green with a black motor. Tried using a heat gun to make it little to slip on, no go.

[@rogergreen7037]

Great work and idea. One quick question. When bolting the motor on did you use lag screws or bolt all the way through. Thank you

[@TheSnekkerShow]

I used lag screws.

[@mchase1962]

Can you give me a bit more details about the drainage pipe flange.... I am having a hard time locating one.

[@TheSnekkerShow]

m.lowes.com/pd/ADS-4-in-Dia-Corrugated-Snap-Coupler-Fitting/3514698

[@richardwebster1772]

High great build ,where did you get the black corrugated plastic pipe fitting .I’ve searched the web and have not been able to find the part,if you could post that information that would be great. I love the design,and I am building mine the same way.

[@TheSnekkerShow]

Thanks. Product links are in the description. Good luck with the build.

[@307calvin]

i FOUND IT AT lOWES

[@fredastaire6156]

great video, thank you for the great ideas for my own HF dust collector Quick question, is there a way to remove and replace the actual motor or is it sealed on the dust collection unit?

[@TheSnekkerShow]

It looks like the motor should be removable, but you'll probably have to go inside the impeller body to access some of the screws.

[@joshuapaul4247]

This is an awesome building man. I’m making mine almost identical to yours. 2 questions, What is the diameter of the lower baffle and is yours the typical Thein style? Your lower baffle looks the same diameter all the way around. Thank you in advance sir.

[@TheSnekkerShow]

I think it would be considered a typical Thien style. My lower baffle was cut from a 19" diameter circle, and has a 1 1/4" inset cut around slightly over 2/3 of the perimeter.

[@dcpugh]

Hi there ... great series! I am trying to leverage some of your design, but I'm struggling with getting fittings that will work with the hose. What sizes did you use? I need to connect the impeller to top of the can using a portion of the existing hose. How would you recommend making that connection?

[@TheSnekkerShow]

I used a piece of aluminum flashing and rolled it into a tube that fit inside of the 5" hose. That let me make the transition between the 5" hose and the 5" hole in the piece of plywood on the trash can lid.

[@g8r22]

Excellent use of available components. I think the baffle is not necessary but it certainly does not hurt (much). The inlet air stream has a downward velocity so the dust particles have a high velocity, high inertia down. Because of the larger diameter of the can the upward air velocity is much lower and not enough to change the direction of the dust. Per Industrial Hygienists handbook dry saw dust required 4000 feet per minute air velocity to stay in motion.

[@TheSnekkerShow]

Alright, you got me wondering now. One of these days I might remove the baffle to see what changes.

[@g8r22]

@@TheSnekkerShow What I'm thinking is that it may create turbulence at the fan inlet duct. Hard and fast fact is that fan performance is adversely affected by inlet turbulence even an irregular inlet velocity profile.

[@TheSnekkerShow]

@@g8r22 I took some air flow measurements in this video, with and without the baffle. Not quite an answer to the effectiveness of the baffle, but it does measure flow. kzbin.info/www/bejne/eZuufXyXbtusn5Y

[@g8r22]

@@TheSnekkerShow My bad - I think that answers that.

[@richardwebster1772]

Hi not high,senior moment.

[@kfletcher2005]

Hey, nice video. qq, that corrugated coupling connecting the blower to the 20 in can which hold the filter bag/clear plastic. My HF has holes with 5in (4.75in) diameter, and wondering how that 4in coupler fits around that? Seems a little smalls.

[@TheSnekkerShow]

It's an outside coupling for 4" corrugated pipe, so it needs to be big enough to fit over the already oversized pipe. It's a tight fit on the HF, which is a good thing.

[@kfletcher2005]

@@TheSnekkerShow Thanks for.the quick reply. I wasn't sure with this being a 5 yr old video and all if I would even get a response.

[@jeffreyfroehle6414]

Where did you find the referenced 5" "coupling for black exterior drainage pipe" you describe in part 1? I have searched everywhere.

[@TheSnekkerShow]

I put links to most of the parts in the video description box.

[@TheSnekkerShow]

And it's actually a coupler for 4" corrugated pipe. It just happens to be big enough to fit over the 5" connection.

[@jameswestii454]

I notice with most Thein baffles that the output elbow sits right on top of the 240 degree (lower) shelf but your elbow sits much higher making the whole baffle placement lower into the can. Do you think there is much difference? Also I see that you are using 5" input/output fittings on the Thein compared to others using 4" do you think that makes things function better? Thanks for the great video and design.

[@TheSnekkerShow]

After two years of use, I'd say it probably doesn't make much of a noticeable difference in performance other than affecting storage capacity in the can. If I do another I might make the shelf higher. I've seen several variants and they all seem to work good enough. Just try to mentally visualize the air flow (with wood chips) while your building and it will almost certainly come out fine. I have my elbow pointed slightly downward to help the chips move down, but if it weren't for that then the friction would cause them to drop. All of my connections are 4" except between the plenum and turbine.

[@jschraubenzieher910]

Great video. I like your approach for lifting the motor without a helper. Where did you get the connector piece that appears at 2:07? I have been looking for it and cannot find it anywhere. It is not in the list of links that you added in the description.

[@TheSnekkerShow]

Thanks. It's the first link in the description, but if that isn't working it's just a 4" coupling for black corrugated drain pipe.

[@Newfinishconcrete]

You sound like nick offerman.

[@pauldobrin8872]

How did you attach the 4x4's to the base?

[@TheSnekkerShow]

I drilled some small holes through the base and attached the 4x4s with some #10 x 3" screws. They're just keeping the posts from moving around.

[@deanhurning8588]

Did you get it done?

[@TheSnekkerShow]

Yes, and it's working great. There's a link to the next videos at the very end of this one.

[@richardkuechenmeister5811]

That motor wasnt to top heavy mounted up on top of the 4x4 s ?

[@TheSnekkerShow]

I haven't had any trouble with it. A lot of woodworking machines tend to be top-heavy.