Thread: WIP Cyclone

Originally Posted by Al B

....When Cliff mentioned that he had made a dustpan at school it brought back memories of me making mine. Thought I would show a pic of the one I made at school. Never ever thought about how old that dustpan was until today.

I don't know where mine is, suspect it may still be in a cupboard at Mum & Dad's place.

Very well done and nice pictures.

You will have to bring me up to speed on any areas where you think the web pages can use a little help or your pictures instead of my words. Can you believe I built that page, or at least the article that became that page way back in 1999 and then we did not dare post pictures because a couple would kill our connection hanging it forever to download the pictures? Anyhow any advice, hints or pictures that you would like to share would be appreciated.

Meanwhile, I have a stainless steel cyclone all cut out and ready for you to come help me build. We should probably redo the tool hood and port fittings at the same time, plus the transitions. Shoot I even have my own roller, former, and metal brake. *smile*

Well done mate, as my Aussie buddy in Adelaide would say.

bill pentz

PS. I see my friend Stu peeking in here and he did a good job building and documenting his cyclone project as well.

Originally Posted by bill pentz

Very well done and nice pictures.

You will have to bring me up to speed on any areas where you think the web pages can use a little help or your pictures instead of my words. Can you believe I built that page, or at least the article that became that page way back in 1999 and then we did not dare post pictures because a couple would kill our connection hanging it forever to download the pictures? Anyhow any advice, hints or pictures that you would like to share would be appreciated.

Bill thanks for your kind words, your web site has inspired a lot of people including myself to build your cyclone and also many more people to at least have some sort of awareness.
I am happy to share any pictures or information you like.

Originally Posted by bill pentz

Meanwhile, I have a stainless steel cyclone all cut out and ready for you to come help me build. We should probably redo the tool hood and port fittings at the same time, plus the transitions. Shoot I even have my own roller, former, and metal brake. *smile*

Well done mate, as my Aussie buddy in Adelaide would say.

I would love to come over and help you build your cyclone if you cover my traveling costs. Sounds like you have all the equipment to do the job.

Finished making the 45 degree and 90 degree bends.

Also started tacking together the branches and Y pieces that I will need, The joins need to knocked into shape then once thats all done I will solder the joins.

I managed to get some flexible joint (The grey flexible part is a rubber coated fabric) which I will use to connect the woodchip/dust collection drum which is at the bottom of the cyclone cone, this joint will give me 70mm of movement, enought flex to remove the lid from the drum.

Started making the straight lengths of 150mm diameter duct. As you can see by the first pic, the roller that I used was not real good for rolling up the long lengths 150mm diameter duct.
I ended up getting a couple of straps around the duct to help bring the two ends together slowly working it into shape until the seams joined up. Pheww it was bit of a struggle but got there eventually.
I was then able to knock the seam down, I also ran some sealant over the seam and crimped one end so that it would fit inside the collar for the cyclone.
Installed the first length of duct to the cyclone then fitted the tree way branch, I still need to make up some support hangers for the ducting.

Very nice work Al!

Originally Posted by bill pentz

Can you believe I built that page, or at least the article that became that page way back in 1999 and then we did not dare post pictures because a couple would kill our connection hanging it forever to download the pictures?

That is a fine piece of work Bill, and thanks from one of the thousands of people who have been there many times since then. BTW, do you spend any time on the wreck anymore?

Originally Posted by Groggy

Very nice work Al!

Thanks Groggy,

Hope the Pictures and information are Ok, If there is anything that anyone would like to see more pictures and or details about of the work that is being done, please let me know.

I would like to start making some blast gates soon, I am not real sure what to use to make them and was wondering what you guys would recommend to make them out of and also any designs you have,
Options are
metal,
plastic,
timber with plastic flanges
or combination of all 3 materials.

Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks

Originally Posted by Al B

I would like to start making some blast gates soon, I am not real sure what to use to make them and was wondering what you guys would recommend to make them out of and also any designs you have,
Options are
metal,
plastic,
timber with plastic flanges
or combination of all 3 materials.

Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks

Al,

I think the best working gates are those with a through plate where when open a hole in that plate lets the air pass and when closed the plate blocks the airflow. Unlike less expensive gates this keeps from building up a wad of chips in the gate corners that requires regular cleaning to avoid leakage. The most affordable through type metal blast gates come from Lee Valley. Shipping might make these cost prohibitive for you. I think the best of these through gates are those you make yourself from PVC or metal ducting flanges. I have some of what you need to know on my web pages under the Ducting area, but one of the best set of instructions I've seen for making your gates from comes from Phil Bumbalough. I do suggest a couple of minor upgrades to his plan on my pages so make sure you look at those before diving in.

[img src=""]

This type of blast gate will work great if placed between your tools and cyclone, but for making the gates to go on a wye coming off of your blower outlet, you need a different kind of gate or valve. These gates work because the suction pulls the flat portion down tight to make a good air seal. With a gate on the other side where air is blowing on the gate, then the air pressure opens the gate. For these it is better to make a Wye with a diverter valve as pictured below that will swing to make the air close tightly on one side or the other.

[img src=""]

Hope this helps.

bill

Al,
Your cyclone project is coming along well. I have only just had the chance to read all of the updates that you have done in the last 3-4 weeks. I am impressed with your transitions and adaptors, impressive work.
Mine look similar from a long distance, until you get up close and see my joins/soldering etc.
I see you have 150mm flex hose on your thicknesser pics, do you mind me asking wher you got it and how much it costs?
I also like the look of your metal ducting. I'm afraid I took the easy way out there, and used 150mm pvc stormwater pipe, also using pvc 'Y's as well. Expensive but I dont have the gear or expertise to go that far.

Bill appreciate the information on the blast gate,
I am thinking of making mine out of metal similar to pic you have there. I have an idea on how I am going to make it, I will make up a proto type first and see how it works before making the rest. Thanks again for you help.

Thanks Brad.

Originally Posted by Ironwood

I see you have 150mm flex hose on your thicknesser pics, do you mind me asking wher you got it and how much it costs?

The 150mm hose cost $26.40 per meter from a place located here in Melbourne.
Here is a link.
http://radum.com.au/shopping/index.p...f1fbaf040bde91

Originally Posted by Ironwood

I also like the look of your metal ducting. I'm afraid I took the easy way out there, and used 150mm pvc stormwater pipe, also using pvc 'Y's as well. Expensive but I dont have the gear or expertise to go that far.

So far to build the cyclone and ductwork I have used
3 Galvanized metal sheets 2440mm X 1220mm X 24# @ $20.00 per sheet
3 Galvanized metal sheets 1830mm X 1220mm X 24# @ $15.00 per sheet
All the sheetmetal for this project has cost a total $105 Its a bargain compared to what the flexible hose cost.
I did get the Galvanized metal sheets at a good price from a friend.

I have completed putting up the main trunk of ducting to the cyclone as you can see from the second pic I have sloped the ducting towards the cyclone, thought it wouldn’t hurt get some help from gravity also give me a little more headroom. I am very happy with the way its all going together at the moment.