How to make a compost bin

buttaflie143 4/8/2011, 11:34 pm

Can someone please tell me how to make a compost bin from wood pallets? I would like one with a door, hinges, etc. because I have small children. Also, do you have to be concerned with small animals getting in like squirrels or raccoons?

myhouseofBOYS 4/8/2011, 11:38 pm

This was posted earlier today http://www.hillgardens.com/composting.htm#21-day Of course I can't seem to find these black pipes they are refering to myself, online at least (to buy in store but I've got 5 kids that dispise shopping so I have to try and run in and out so like to know if xyz place has abc item I am looking for)

boffer 4/8/2011, 11:43 pm

They're ABS waste/drain pipes. Available at any big box store in the plumbing department.

You could go with PVC in white, also. I forget which is cheapest.

myhouseofBOYS 4/8/2011, 11:51 pm

boffer wrote:They're ABS waste/drain pipes. Available at any big box store in the plumbing department.

You could go with PVC in white, also. I forget which is cheapest.

thank yo boffer. drain pipe was netting me nothing at the orange box store except for joint white pvs peices. "abs pipe" seems to net actual results!!!

Melvin 4/11/2011, 9:39 am

buttaflie143 wrote:Can someone please tell me how to make a compost bin from wood pallets? I would like one with a door, hinges, etc. because I have small children. Also, do you have to be concerned with small animals getting in like squirrels or raccoons?

Not sure if this will help you but this is our pallet bin. The front has boards that are being added has the pile gets larger.

https://2img.net/h/i1135.photobucket.com/albums/m625/MTRGBeds/Compostbina.jpg

buttaflie143 4/11/2011, 10:28 am

Thanks so much for the photo, what did you use to hold it together. I have read about several methods, i.e. wire, zip ties, rope...

GlassHen 4/11/2011, 11:11 am

Here is the blog post for the compost bins I made last year.

http://mylittleskis.blogspot.com/2010/05/our-new-compost-bins.html

I just used deck screws to hold everything together. If you can tell from the pictures I made a sliding door in front. It's worked out perfect.

How to make a compost bin 02_DSC_3311

edited to add picture

Melvin 4/11/2011, 2:32 pm

buttaflie143 wrote:Thanks so much for the photo, what did you use to hold it together. I have read about several methods, i.e. wire, zip ties, rope...

Once the pallets where cut to fit I used sheet rock screws to hold it together. This photo was taken today and you can see the slats the create the front. Here in Montana it takes for ever for the compost to get ready it was only a week ago it was still frozen.

https://2img.net/h/i1135.photobucket.com/albums/m625/MTRGBeds/Compostbin_003.jpg

Old Hippie 4/11/2011, 2:40 pm

Ohh looking GOOD Melvin! How to make a compost bin 833560

When DH and I built ours, he made me dig a bit of a trench to stand our pallets up on edge. It had to be LEVEL and SQUARE. (He has to make a piano out of everything.) No matter what he builds he is very fussy about those two things. Even a compost bin must be level and square. He used his battery operated drill to put three inch screws at an angle in the corners to hold the pallets together. Then he attached lattice to the outside and I put a clear exterior stain on it. It is visible from the street so we wanted it to look nice. I plant climbing stuff on the outside to make use of that space. On the street side between the bin and the fence I plant tall sunflowers.

Gwynn

Chopped Liver MM 4/11/2011, 2:56 pm

Melvin wrote:https://2img.net/h/i1135.photobucket.com/albums/m625/MTRGBeds/Compostbin_003.jpg

I think I have bin envy! (lol)

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