Anybody build a Thien Separator for their Dust Collector or shop vac?

I researched & built a Thien Separator when I was on restricted movement after having emergency surgery a few years back and thought I would share my thoughts about it.

First what is a Thien Separator? Read this: http://www.cgallery.com/jpthien/cy.htm

My opinion about it? Simply amazing! I have not had to clean my dust collector bags in over 3 years now but have emptied the drum maybe 10 times. I just have to slap my dust bags every now and again to knock down and fine dust that might be stuck in the fabric. I could actually vent the collector directly outside and bypass the bags totally without messing up my yard...

I put the separator assembly on a simple hoist system and the drum has castors on it's base so emptying it is real simple.

I made mine out of a 55 Gallon drum, some plywood, 6" ducting, some odd assorted hardware, and a "Hoover" logo I stole off the internet.

Do you have to dump the 55 gallon barrel or is there another way to get the debris out? If I used my 4 bag collector more, I would consider something like that.

I made a similar collector for my shop vac about 25 years ago out of an old Craftsman fiberboard shop vac. I get a little dust in my vacuum, but for as little work as I did, it does a fabulous job.

I have integrated 3 of these in different shops and fabricated 1. I have to say that as with all dust collection make sure there is a ground wire connected thru or to and around the separator for safety.

Harvey Melvin Richards said:

Do you have to dump the 55 gallon barrel or is there another way to get the debris out? If I used my 4 bag collector more, I would consider something like that.

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Yes I have to dump it but since I mounted wheels on the bottom and dump it when it is just at half full it really is not an issue. I suppose if I wanted to I could just wheel it to the curb on trash day and let them dump it for me.

this one looks cheap and easy to make
http://www.instructables.com/id/Cyclone-vacuum-add-on-for-shopvac/

awdblazer said:

this one looks cheap and easy to make
http://www.instructables.com/id/Cyclone-vacuum-add-on-for-shopvac/

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Just don't get caught stealing that traffic cone! Neat idea though...