A good idea at the time.....

[RogerS]

I recently bought one of the Mini-Cyclones to bolt onto my vacuum. Initial results, using an old paint kettle as the waste bucket, were spectacularly good. Separation of MDF dust, shavings etc was virtually 100% and it really does what it says it does on the tin.

So I decided to build a more permanent waste bucket and, having a spare sheet of polystyrene thought it would be pretty cool to make one wall out of this sheet so I could (a) see the muck falling down and (b) see when it was full. This is the Mk I version.

I fired it up and noticed that there was some dust swirling around the bottom of the cyclone - a sure sign of air leakage in my box. While I was peering around trying to see/hear where the leak was, with a huge bang the polystyrene sheet imploded.

Frightened the life out of me.

 

[JFC]

I wish i had seen that :lol: Lucky you didnt have your head in there !!!!!

 

[RogerS]

My head was only 6" away. That was close enough.

 

[George_N]

Just when you thought you had the dust cleaning sorted you have to start worrying about cleaning underwear.

 

[RogerS]

:lol:

 

[nickson71]

Hi Roger

I'm glad you where not hurt

one quick question where did you get the mini cyclone from and how much did it cost


Ian

 

[Barry Burgess]

Roger my version of the 6" cyclone does not work as well as the Studee cyclone using a Triton dust bucket. The 6" does handle fine dust but if there are bits of wood etc the cyclone blocks very quickly. If I use the dust collected from my big cyclone and try to suck it up with the 6" cyclone I always get blockages. The big cyclone sucks every thing that is not nailed down. Leaves are a problem with the 6" cyclone but not with my Studee cyclone as the bottom of the cone is not 2" as it is in the 6" cyclone
Barry

You could try a 65litre drum as your collector

 

[SketchUp Guru]

Good grief! I'd have said some bad words if I'd been in your place Roger. I'd have probably even made up some new bad words.

It's too late for that piece of polystyrene but if you were to do that again, you might consider installing it so it has a curve to it to give it some strength.

Or maybe make a solid front with a narrow slot filled with polystyrene so you can see through.

 

[Steve Maskery]

Roger
It sounds funny the way you tell it, but I bet it wasn't at the time. You could consider using polycarbonate instead.

Am I right in understanding that it was being natural and abhoring a vacuum?

 

[Barry Burgess]

Roger I would not consider using the see through material as with my Studee cyclone if I hold my hand over the inlet , I get the plastic drum flattening so I don't see how even with stronger material it will work. I am using a 2000W vacuum.
Barry

 

[RogerS]

Mk II just finished. Replaced by some old kitchen carcass although I did think about the narrow slit as suggested by Dave.

Barry - when you refer to 6" cyclones are you referring to the diameter of the cyclone (ie same/similar to mine) or the size of the inlet pipe?

EDIT: Interesting comments, Barry. having been pleased with the results in a standalone handheld tool mode I am keen to try it out with machinery...thus obviating the need for a larger device but perhaps I'm being too optimistic

 

[Barry Burgess]

Roger the same size as yours.
Barry