Dust separator lids: I miss photo archives!

[dlminehart]

I've gotten the HF DC, the Wynn canister, and a sturdy 55 gallon plastic barrel (FYI: flexographic web printing presses, of the newspaper variety, go through these barrels pretty regularly, and they're free for the asking. They contain what is essentially like Armor-All, easily washed out of the white barrels. A jigsaw and 5 minutes remove the tops.) Need to get a lid for this barrel separator. Can either make one or buy one.

Lee Valley has a good looking one for about $32, with 4" central outlet and peripheral inlet. Can anyone report on how this, or similar ones of other make, work on 55 gallon plastic barrels or similar containers with a HF DC?

Pappy, among others, has made his own lid . . . most of the photos are now missing from this forum. Could anyone with a satisfactory (and easy to make) homemade lid please post some pix? If they work as well or better, and are easy enough to make for someone whose shop is a disorganized mess awaiting a dust collection system, I might make one rather than paying $30 for a plastic one.

[r1968]

Hi David
I am in San Jose too. Could you please tell me where exactly you got the barrel.
--raj

[dlminehart]

Raj, I work at the Monterey County Herald newspaper in Monterey. I suspect that the SJ Mercury News or other local web press operators would have the barrels. The brand we use is ZEP Protect-All; the label says it can be used for auto detailing on vinyl, leather, etc. Like I say, it's similar to the Armor-All commonly used on cars. Water soluble, barrels clean up very easilyi.

[Pappy]

Ask and ya'll shall git it! This is an early version on a 35 gal barrel. Current version is 55 gal and the pickup tube in the center of the lid extends approx 12" down. Never took any pics of that one.

[plarval]

Here's an article I found about the same idea.

http://www.woodcraft.com/articleprin...?ArticleID=408

[dlminehart]

Nice lid, Pappy! Do you clamp it down, or does the suction keep it in place? How'd you do that nice circular lid -- router or bandsaw or what?

[Brian G]

David, I made one similar to Pappy's that works great. I'm in need of a new barrel.

From the archives

[Pappy]

David, the lid was cut with a plunge router on a tramel. Never even put a seal on that one, let alone clamp it down. The lid for the bigger barrel I use now has a rubber seal in the lid. Between suction of the DC and the weight of the MDF it seals itself without any clamping.

Brian, scrounge around the local carwashes. 35 and 55 gal heavy plastic barrels can usually be had for the asking.

[Pappy]

Got pics of the new barrel/lid yesterday.





Made of 3/4 MDF and painted with Sherman Williams 'Iron Clad' paint. The tube length was based on instructions I found in a book (don't remember what book). After the barrel get about half full dust/chips start going to the DC. I am going to take a close look at the commercial lids at the WW show this weekend for possible design changes.

[newood2]

Got pics of the new barrel/lid yesterday.
Made of 3/4 MDF and painted with Sherman Williams 'Iron Clad' paint. The tube length was based on instructions I found in a book (don't remember what book). After the barrel get about half full dust/chips start going to the DC. I am going to take a close look at the commercial lids at the WW show this weekend for possible design changes.

Hey Pappy, did you ever make any changes on the separator lid, how did it turn out?
I picked up one of those 55gal barrel at the car wash to use with 5" metal. I was browsing the forum for ideas on building the lid when I came across your pics. Nice pics by the way.

Howie

[LinuxRandal]

Got pics of the new barrel/lid yesterday.

What are the four rings for at the top, since it appears they don't go through?

Thanks

[Pappy]

Those are just end caps glued to short pieces of pipe, used to keep moisture out of the barrel and piping when the hoses are put away.