Thread: Low budget mini cyclone construction

That is a copy (with minor variations) of the Sturdee Mini cyclone which I developed a few years ago and made freely available to all members of this board. It is also the subject to a video made by Gumby to help members construct one.


I have no objection to you making one but to post it on your website without due acknowledgement is plagiarism and is something I strongly object to.


Either remove it from your website or give due acknowledgement.


Peter.

Interested in what it cost you compared to the Sturdee Triton bucket refit. looks good but question if you will need support for the inlet pipe and its join to bucket.

Ken is that swimming pool hose, or vacuum cleaner hose, or something else?

hey sturdee your idea is not origional get over it

Peter

I would just like to say that in the short time I have been a member of this forum I have learned much from what the other members have shared, and have enjoyed the typical Aussie humour and the sense of camaraderie which is quite special. I have appreciated being able to meet with some and hopefully my few contributions have helped others. It was therefore somewhat of a shock to find that my posting had been pulled and then reinstated containing your posting. Unfortunately it appears that I have offended you over a matter of which I had no knowledge. You have made mention of the Sturdee Mini cyclone, which, on searching the forum I assume you to mean the Triton Dust Bucket conversion which you posted in 2005. I only joined the forum in 2006 and was unaware of the details of this posting or the associated video. Any references/postings I may have seen referring to the Triton Dust bucket were of no interest to me as I do not have one (or a Triton WS), nor do I intend to obtain one. I have read postings of other folks cyclones and their installations but have noted that they predominately are large with four inch pipes and powerful fans. Had I seen anything that resembled the one I made I would not have thought it worth posting. I also browsed Bill Pentz site as it appears to be the most well known with detailed design information etc. It was from this and the general concept of a cyclone that I constructed the one I have posted. The similarities you refer to appear to be that they are both cyclones, use a Supercheap funnel (I could not find any others at BMS, Bunning etc. and I was unaware that you had used one also) and are called Mini. I trust that these minor issues are not a matter of concern to you. The reasons I posted it on my web site was that it was easier for me to put the WIP together and present it in a clear and logical manner, it becomes part of the bigger picture of what I am doing, to enable my brother-in-law (who is overseas and is building one) to see how I went about it, and to try to help others who I have seen express an interest in the possibilities of small cyclones.

It has not been my intention to deny you the credit due to you in any way in regard to the work you put into the Triton Dust Bucket conversion or your support of members who have benefited from your contributions in this regard. It is my hope that this explanation will enable us to put this unfortunate misunderstanding to rest in an amicable manner so that both we and the other members of this excellent forum can continue to benefit from one another.

Kind regards

Ken

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Tonto

Yes, the inlet pipe will probably need to have a support - haven't worked out what I'm going to do there yet. It is a little side heavy with both hoses attached. Will eventually probably put it all on some sort of trolly, but may wait until I have my own vacuum cleaner - have to share with SWMBO at the moment.

Check my site for hose prices - the most expensive part - depending on how much you need. I add these prices as well soon:
Cyclone bucket ~$13
20l oil bucket from fish n chip shop $3
Funnel $2.99
Ply $14.65 - still have most of it to play with
40mm pipe $3.68
push on cap $2.30
Y junction $9.10
Bolts $7.00
Washers $3.50
Silicon and pop rivets - I already had

I hope that helps

Ken

Rookie

It is vacuum cleaner hose - available in five sizes and works well. Check my site for more details and prices.

Ken

Hi Ken,
Interesting slant on the mini cyclone. I made similiar set up couple of years ago pic below to test cone lengths and ramp size from Bill's spec Bill is definately the guru. Did you fit a ramp I have found it improves efficiency no end as I can machine a drum full of MDF and only get about a cup into the vac.
Mike

Very well handled Ken.

Originally Posted by floobyduster

Peter

It is my hope that this explanation will enable us to put this unfortunate misunderstanding to rest in an amicable manner so that both we and the other members of this excellent forum can continue to benefit from one another.

Kind regards

Ken

Thanks for your explanation Ken. The matter is now at rest.


Peter.

m2c1Iw

No, there is no ramp fitted - I have thought about it but decided I needed to get it made without any further complications. I'll see how it goes once I've had the chance to give it a good run. I imagine that I may need to make a larger unit if I manage to get a thicknesser/planer etc so maybe in the Mk11. I noticed that Aldi had a vac for about $70 which was bagless and was 2200W! - that should move twice what I'm using now. Now, how do I explain to SWMBO that she can keep the old VAX while I get the new one?

Ken

As a matter of curiosity, how does running the two lines off the y-piece affect overall performance with the vax? Just wondering if it makes as much of a difference with a high-pressure/low-flow system as it does with a low-pressure/high-flow.

Originally Posted by Sturdee

That is a copy (with minor variations) of the Sturdee Mini cyclone which I developed a few years ago and made freely available to all members of this board. It is also the subject to a video made by Gumby to help members construct one.

Sturdee, the first thing that most people see when they look at a commercial cyclone is a drum on top of another drum, with a funnel in-between. That's the natural starting point for anyone building their own and I don't really think you can "lay claim" to the concept.

I think the two main advantages of your Triton version are:

• Minimal build, as the hose connectors are already on the dust-bucket
• Stability. A drum fixed on top of another drum is more stable than a drum attached onto a funnel, all balanced on another drum... especially with all the duct-work coming off the top!

And neither of those were duplicated by flooby.

Skew
I'm afraid I can't give the answers to your questions - the only way to tell for me is to see how it performs. The reason for the two hoses was so I could connect to the saw blade guard as well as the main outlet, and also just use the small one for hand tools. I tried the VAX with the dust bag removed and only left in the cloth second stage filter to try to get the maximum airflow. Time will tell. I'll post details once I have my next project completed and in operation - setting up a second hand table saw. Then I can get on to the list of projects for SWMBO and make some sawdust.

Let's not dance around this.

Ken - very diplomatically handled. I admire your restraint.

I think you would expect an apology, if not for the allegations, or at the very least for the tone.


Cheers...............Sean