MetalworkingFun Forum

Hi
Has anyone used (or seen) one of these http://www.airtx.com/how-does-a-vortex-tube-work.htm
They don’t seem too difficult to make (I think)

DaveH

Yes, I have one. They work well on aluminum, but take a LOT of air. I stopped using it because I got tired of listening to the air compressor run.

Tom

Hi Tom,
It does seem to be a bit of a drawback the amount of air required, and in my workshop with my noisy compressor running all the time would be a 'disaster'
I think about these "vortex cooler things" every now and then.
I had one go at making one a few years ago - it didn't work - the cold air was hotter than the hot air

I quite like the idea - nice and clean with a view to using it on my Sherline cnc mill. Especially using small diameter end mills (1mm dia) with plastics and aluminium.

So I have decided to have another 'look'

DaveH

Tom,
I was wondering what is the size of your 'cold air vortex tube', roughly the diameter and length?

DaveH

Edit - re-phased the question to eliminate any ambiguity.

(03-29-2013, 10:03 AM)DaveH Wrote: [ -> ]Tom,
I was wondering what is the size of yours, roughly the diameter and length?

I think that is a question best asked by PM Dave

Mayhem,
Mmm - I think I will re-phrase the question.

DaveH

(03-29-2013, 10:14 AM)Mayhem Wrote: [ -> ]

(03-29-2013, 10:03 AM)DaveH Wrote: [ -> ]Tom,
I was wondering what is the size of yours, roughly the diameter and length?

I think that is a question best asked by PM Dave

I'll have to whip it out when I get home and take some measurements. Do you want that in inches or millimeters?

Tom

Inches will be fine Tom

DaveH

(03-29-2013, 08:24 AM)DaveH Wrote: [ -> ]Hi
Has anyone used (or seen) one of these http://www.airtx.com/how-does-a-vortex-tube-work.htm
They don’t seem too difficult to make (I think)

DaveH

I had run across links for them in the past. Of course we would be most interested in the DIY variety so a Google of "cold air vortex tube diy" brought up a few links. Here is one that I found interesting ...

http://ottobelden.blogspot.com/2010/12/a...ortex.html

Now his is made from PVC tube. I would have thought that something like copper would (a) be much safer for pressurized air and (b) heat transfer.

Another one, again in plastic but with some good ideas that could be done in metal ...

http://www.instructables.com/id/The-Hils...ube/#step1

IIRC I saw one that was in metal and it used a MIG welding tip on the hot end to give a very repeatable and controlled outlet.

Arvid