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Cheap Bin material ideas?
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Posted by
bennypapa none (
My Page) on
Sun, Nov 4, 12 at 7:30
| I've scrounged most of the materials for my compost bins. I've used pallets for the main structure(ala steves earth engine) but I need something to use as removeable front slats. I have tried taking pallets apart with very little success.
I'm looking for ideas. What scroungable or very cheap materials can you think of to use as slats in this style composter? Or can anyone suggest a better method for disassembling pallets? I have access to plenty of those.
I've priced cedar fence pickets but so far I've really only invested my time into this system it just seems wrong to start spending money on it now. It has been fun to see how much can be done for little to no cash and it is rewarding to see how much it has improved my little garden.
Thanks all,
Ben |
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: Cheap Bin material ideas?
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| If you want to be really cheap you could do without a front at all. My double bin looks like a capital E on its side.Just the back and sides, with a bit of tamping down with the fork, or even climbing on top and stamping, are sufficient to keep the contents in place. Or you could wire a fourth pallet up one side as a hinge and just open it up like a gate. |
RE: Cheap Bin material ideas?
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| See, it is all about knowing your self. I know my limitations. I get too focused and miss the big picture sometimes. Knowing ones shortcomings provides a path to overcome them. I was so set in my mind to use the slats I had designed into my compost bins that I had not even considered other solutions. I knew coming to the soil forum was the best plan. Thank you Flora_uk! I have easy access to pallets so it will be free and easy to make gates on the front.
Great idea!! |
RE: Cheap Bin material ideas?
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| Maybe you can even scavenge the wire and pay absolutely nothing! Or cable ties? |
RE: Cheap Bin material ideas?
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You might be able to use my front design.
I made my compost bins from galvanized chicken wire, fence posts and pressure treated 4 inch wide boards for the front, all from Home Depot. Nothing is rotting here except the compost. I have three 3 x 3 x 3 ft compartments with removable boards in front. As you can see, I stack the 3ft long boards between two fence posts on each end. There are also smaller pieces of boards on the left and the right corner. Total cost for this size is not high, use it now for 3 years. I also placed patio pavers at the bottom for easy cleaning. |
RE: Cheap Bin material ideas?
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| Nothing better than a mesh bin. Cheap, easy to put up, can be moved or resized, easy to turn. Stores heat well, not very noticeable (compared to others painted green and black). I have two roughly 5by8 feet, two feet high. One month ago they they were started with fall leaves and just a little grass. Temp today was 120 to 140F. This year I am trying for warm as opposed to hot. This week I turned each pile a bit every day, took three minutes. PS I put fish parts in the core (when core is 130F or better), and no animal has ever disturbed it. I'll admit not as pretty as a $1000.00 compost bench. |
RE: Cheap Bin material ideas?
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| Robertz6, do you have a picture? |
RE: Cheap Bin material ideas?
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Mesh bin:
http://voices.yahoo.com/building-cheap-wire-compost-bin-2612834.html I use concrete reinforcing mesh |
RE: Cheap Bin material ideas?
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| You can also keep a eye out on Craig's list for folks that are tearing down their decks and offering the scraps fo free |
RE: Cheap Bin material ideas?
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| You can still use a pallet without disassembling. Find a lightweight one (pine, etc.) with the right density of boards. Use recycled wire or cable ties to hinge it on one side and temporarily attach it on the other. When you're ready to empty the bin, unhook the one side and swing it out like a door. If you want to be able to open it gradually as you go down, cut it in half and make two half-doors. Pallets can be tricky to get apart. I see a lot of oak around here, and with those spiral nails shot in, it's hard to get them apart w/o splitting the boards. Even in pine, if they get wet the nails rust and the wood swells around them. Sometimes, you can find long pallets or crates that you can cut boards out of in sufficient lengths without having to pull nails. Heating/AC companies generate a lot, and glass shops. |
RE: Cheap Bin material ideas?
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| Bennypappa, what a question! Does one have pictures of their kids! Everyone who lurks on this forum and composts has pictures of their piles/bins/systems. Not much to see. Quarter inch hardware cloth about 24 inches high. If I can figure out how to include a picture I'll do so. I'm a bit of a contradiction -- first computer class in 1970's and first micro (now called a PC) in 1982, but no facebook, twitter, or new stuff. |
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