Look what I made...

PeonyLover 2/13/2012, 3:08 pm

This is my DIY compost tumbler. I'm very proud because I made with no help. I conquered my fear of the circular saw and it will be a great asset to my SFG. Plus, it was very cheap! I got the barrel from Pepsi for free (they store the syrup, so they are food safe) and I got two (one to store finished compost) and the wood was free reclaimed. So I only had to buy the threaded conduit, two caps, and four lag bolts. He is affectionately named R2D2 (and yes, we fly the geek flag proudly in our house) my 4y/o son was very excited to "feed" R2D2 the dinner scraps. lol

Look what I made... Diy_co12

rhanford 2/13/2012, 3:57 pm

Awesome! You should totally give him a paint job to complete it. Granted if it were mine I would do my damnedest to make it look like Yoda, despite the shape not really working for it!

When you said you got it from Pepsi, did you call a distributor or something??? Maybe I'll attempt the same.

Thanks for sharing!

**gwennifer** 2/13/2012, 4:01 pm

Nice work! Love it when people share pictures. And hey, those circular saws should be feared!

**llama momma** 2/13/2012, 4:05 pm

Actually I am wondering if the weight of heavy, moist compost will fly out one end when it gets turned? Sad

PeonyLover 2/13/2012, 4:09 pm

This is the pic my sister sent me-lol
Look what I made... R2d2_t10

If only white paint would absorb heat better. I just called the Pepsi bottler we have in town and asked about the syrup barrels. They said I could pick up 3 barrel for free. I only got two because of space constraints. Look in your phone book (do people still use these?-lol) or Google to find one near you. They were really nice about it. The lady told me that they have to pay to have these taken away, so they don't mind giving them away. Hope you can find some. You could also try Craigslist.

PeonyLover 2/13/2012, 4:12 pm

llama momma wrote:Actually I am wondering if the weight of heavy, moist compost will fly out one end when it gets turned?

I have very tight bungee cords on it and so far, so good. I also have some metal C-clamps that I can use if need be. I would have liked a barrel with a screw on top, but this was free. I can always upgrade the barrel at a later date.

quiltbea 2/13/2012, 4:15 pm

Peony......He's just adorable and the name fits to a T. Enjoy.

I hope you drilled more than one hole in the side for your composter. It needs air to stay fresh and work correctly.

PeonyLover 2/13/2012, 4:38 pm

quiltbea wrote:Peony......He's just adorable and the name fits to a T. Enjoy.

I hope you drilled more than one hole in the side for your composter. It needs air to stay fresh and work correctly.

Yes, after this picture I drilled several small holes to facilitate ventilation. I got the idea from a YouTube video and it had a great tutorial. I'd post the link, but I don't know if there are rules about that? I'm still new to this forum.

BackRiver_SFG 2/13/2012, 5:03 pm

Thanks for sharing!

Nice work too! Your construction will last by the looks of it. I have a pathetic compost area that receives virtually no sunlight. If I can find an adequate cylinder I am hoping to adopt and use your idea. I have lots of biomass from my gardens each year, but an ineffective area to make the magic work.

Hopefully that will change.
Look what I made... 109486

**RoOsTeR** 2/13/2012, 5:24 pm

I wouldn't worry about the color. The compost will generate its own heat Wink

rhanford 2/16/2012, 1:04 pm

Looks like you might just have to paint it!!! Smile

I wish we were neighbors, I would totally help. That and we have loads of xtra paint.

Anyhow thanx for the heads up about the Pepsi distro. I will have to give them a call and see what they can do for me here.

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R2D2 composter

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