Simple Centrifuge Home build

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After reading tons of messages on various forums I decided a centrifuge would be ideal for my filtering/dewatering system. I read trade offs of the pump driven style (Dieselcraft) vs a "real" centrifuge based on components from the guys at Simple Centrifuge

After sitting the fence a bit and hearing that the turnkey system from simplecentrifuge was going to cost $2,200 I decided to jump in and build one myself. I stumbled across Leon Griffin at WVO Designs who shares an open-source design using the simple centrifuge bowl and a welded enclosure.

I decided to spin a version of his design and try to build one as cheaply as possible and more importantly require no welding.

What follows are some pictures and captions detailing my progress.

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The first parts are the most expensive part of the project (but worth it). bowl machined from a solid billet of aluminum and TranTorque keyless bushing. $500 from Simple Centrifuge

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I needed and enclosure big enough to house the bowl, mount a big-ish motor on the bottom, and allow me to mount structural legs on it. I found this baby at a local restaurant supply store for a mere 40 bucks. Its BIG and heavy walled. Perfect find!

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The bowl provided by simple centrifuge self drains when stopped (a real bonus) so you have to provide a splash wall to keep the slops from mixing with the clean oil.

I went the cheap route again and stole dog bowl for the purpose. FIVE BUCKS.

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The dogs were NOT terribly excited by the whole idea!

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Perfect fit (almost)

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OK, no welding but a few tools were used. Air grinder to cut off bottom of bowl.

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Nice straight cut for novice freehand.

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3450 rpm Baldor motor wired up and ready.

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Motor bolted up and splash ring dry fit. Buggered up the mounting hole at 8 o'clock. had to oval it out to get it to fit. Oh well, I'm not a machinist.