Building A Compost Bin
As you have probably discovered already in your search for how to build a compost bin there are numerous types of composting bins to chose from. As well as many commercial type composting solutions involving revolving metal bins that make it far easier to keep turn your compost mix by means of a handle rather than shoveling the mix every couple of weeks which can prove back breaking for some gardeners.
There are simple compost bin enclosures you can build out of some fence post's and chicken wire and then there are the more advanced composting bins such as the three-bin system which is the one I am about to describe to you here.
Deciding where to install you compost bins is something you should consider before starting out. Make sure to leave a few feet of space between your compost bins and any housing structures or fencing.
Building a compost bin or in this case a three bin system in easy to follow steps.
Step one: purchase a 12 foot length of 2 x 4 lumber that has been pressure-treated, this will be cut into four pieces two of them measuring 31 1/2 inches and another two measuring 36 inch.
Step two: Take the four pieces and butt-joint them using galvanized nails into a 35" x 36" square. Using the remaining 12 foot lengths of 2 x 4 build three more frames in the same way as above.
Step Three: we need to cut four lengths of hardware cloth each about 37 inches.Fold back the wire edges 1 inch. Stretch the hardware cloth pieces across each frame. After checking to make sure all the corners of the frame are square take a staple gun and staple the screen tightly into place spacing the staples roughly 4 inches apart around the edge. These wood and wire frames will form the dividers for your composter bin.
Step four: set 2 of the dividers you just built on their ends 9 feet apart and parallel to each other. Position the two other dividers parallel to and evenly spaced between the end dividers. Place the 36" edges on the ground. Along each 9 foot edge of the two inside dividers measure the position of the centers and make a note of this measurement for later.
Step five: Take 2 lengths of 10 foot pressure treated lumber and cut a nine foot piece from each one. Place the treated boards across the tops of the dividers so that each one is flush against the outer edges. measure and mark on the 9 foot boards the center of each inside divider. Line up the marks, and drill a 1/2 inch hole through each junction of the board divider centering it 1" from the edge.
Step six: Secure the boards using carriage bolts, being careful not to tighten them up yet. turn the whole unit so the treated boards are on the bottom. Using construction grade 2 x 4 lumber cut one 9 foot length from the 10 foot piece and attache the board to the back of the top by repeating the process used to attach the base boards.Make certain the bin is square using a carpenters square or measure between opposing corners then tighten all bolts firmly. Using more hardware cloth, fasten a 9 foot length to the back side of the bin again using the staple gun every 4 inches.
Step seven: Take a 16 foot piece of lumber and cut four three foot pieces these will form the front runners. Rip cut two of these boards into two 4 3/4" wide strips, saving the 2 remaining strips. Nail the 4 3/4" wide strips to the front of the outside dividers and baseboard so that they are flush on the top and the outside edges. Securely nail the remaining 6" wide boards once centered on the front of the inside dividers.
Step eight: using the 4 foot length of 2 x 6 lumber cut into a 34" piece then rip-cut this piece into four equal strips. Nail the 34" long strips to the insides of the dividers create a 1 " vertical slot on the inside of each divider.
Step nine: cut 18 1 x 6 slats from the six 8 foot lengths each 31 1/4" long. Insert six horizontal slats for each bin between the dividers and into the vertical slots.
Step ten: finally stain all untreated wood to preserve your hard work and help it Last longer. You can also put plywood onto the back of the three bins but this is optional.
There are simple compost bin enclosures you can build out of some fence post's and chicken wire and then there are the more advanced composting bins such as the three-bin system which is the one I am about to describe to you here.
Deciding where to install you compost bins is something you should consider before starting out. Make sure to leave a few feet of space between your compost bins and any housing structures or fencing.
Building a compost bin or in this case a three bin system in easy to follow steps.
Step one: purchase a 12 foot length of 2 x 4 lumber that has been pressure-treated, this will be cut into four pieces two of them measuring 31 1/2 inches and another two measuring 36 inch.
Step two: Take the four pieces and butt-joint them using galvanized nails into a 35" x 36" square. Using the remaining 12 foot lengths of 2 x 4 build three more frames in the same way as above.
Step Three: we need to cut four lengths of hardware cloth each about 37 inches.Fold back the wire edges 1 inch. Stretch the hardware cloth pieces across each frame. After checking to make sure all the corners of the frame are square take a staple gun and staple the screen tightly into place spacing the staples roughly 4 inches apart around the edge. These wood and wire frames will form the dividers for your composter bin.
Step four: set 2 of the dividers you just built on their ends 9 feet apart and parallel to each other. Position the two other dividers parallel to and evenly spaced between the end dividers. Place the 36" edges on the ground. Along each 9 foot edge of the two inside dividers measure the position of the centers and make a note of this measurement for later.
Step five: Take 2 lengths of 10 foot pressure treated lumber and cut a nine foot piece from each one. Place the treated boards across the tops of the dividers so that each one is flush against the outer edges. measure and mark on the 9 foot boards the center of each inside divider. Line up the marks, and drill a 1/2 inch hole through each junction of the board divider centering it 1" from the edge.
Step six: Secure the boards using carriage bolts, being careful not to tighten them up yet. turn the whole unit so the treated boards are on the bottom. Using construction grade 2 x 4 lumber cut one 9 foot length from the 10 foot piece and attache the board to the back of the top by repeating the process used to attach the base boards.Make certain the bin is square using a carpenters square or measure between opposing corners then tighten all bolts firmly. Using more hardware cloth, fasten a 9 foot length to the back side of the bin again using the staple gun every 4 inches.
Step seven: Take a 16 foot piece of lumber and cut four three foot pieces these will form the front runners. Rip cut two of these boards into two 4 3/4" wide strips, saving the 2 remaining strips. Nail the 4 3/4" wide strips to the front of the outside dividers and baseboard so that they are flush on the top and the outside edges. Securely nail the remaining 6" wide boards once centered on the front of the inside dividers.
Step eight: using the 4 foot length of 2 x 6 lumber cut into a 34" piece then rip-cut this piece into four equal strips. Nail the 34" long strips to the insides of the dividers create a 1 " vertical slot on the inside of each divider.
Step nine: cut 18 1 x 6 slats from the six 8 foot lengths each 31 1/4" long. Insert six horizontal slats for each bin between the dividers and into the vertical slots.
Step ten: finally stain all untreated wood to preserve your hard work and help it Last longer. You can also put plywood onto the back of the three bins but this is optional.
If after reading this you decide you would rather purchase one of the many ready made compost bins then check out our great selection Here.