What size screen for sifting sawdust out of pellets?

[EdMA]

I have about 40 bags of pellets that have varing degrees of unusable pellets due to exposer to moister. I don't want to just throw them all out becuase probably half the pellets are just fine. What I would like to do is set up a screen that will alow the unusable fines and sawdust to fall through and save the good pellets. Any idea what size mesh I should use? Any other ideas on how to salvage what I have? Thanks.

 

[orangecrushcj7]

1/4" hardware cloth works well. they pellets diameter is slightly larger than the mesh so that they can't pass thru. Sifting with a large (2'x3' or so) rig made out of a couple 2x4s with hardware cloth would be most effective for large quantities.

 

[EdMA]

Thanks... where can I buy the hardware cloth?

 

[SteveT]

If you are near an Aubochon hardware they have it:

http://lawn-and-garden.hardwarestore.com/39-470-hardware-cloth/handy-roll-hardware-cloth-100795.aspx

I'm sure HD or Lowe's does too.

 

[EdMA]

Great... thanks!

 

[DiggerJim]

You can also build a quick pellet vac for about $20. Do a search on "pellet vac" and you'll find the thread - it was only a week or two ago. Cleaner than the hardware cloth and screening method.

 

[woodsman23]

Just screen them outside into a bucket and let the wind blow away the dust or setup a fan to do the same. I would use the fan set on high and pour slowly and the fines will get blown away from the good pellets.

 

[escobarmj]

You can also build a quick pellet vac for about $20. Do a search on "pellet vac" and you'll find the thread - it was only a week or two ago. Cleaner than the hardware cloth and screening method.

I built my own also..worked great.

 

[sydney1963]

I built a pellet vac also, is wonderful and easy and I'm a woman (around $20 without buying a shop vac). When you sift them you get lots of dust and you don't want to breathe that into your lungs.

 

[woodsman23]

I use lignetics and dry creek and there is so very little dust, broken pellets whatever you guys (and gals) are seeing in these bags. When i empty the bag there is very very little dust whatever left on the inside of the bags. MMM

 

[imacman]

Any other ideas on how to salvage what I have? Thanks.

As mentioned above, costs about $20 if you have a shop vac already.

 

[sydney1963]

Woodsman,

I think I got a bad batch. I got at leat 3 cups of fines in my 2nd bag I opened. I am happy otherwise, they burn nice and hot. The 3rd bag I opened wasn't as bad, maybe 2 cups. Hopefully it will only get better.