Rotating Compost Barrel Construction

Materials Needed Treated 4 - 2x4s 4ft long 55 Gallon Barrel 5 foot metal pole/fencepost Handle/Rope

Materials Needed (cont.) 2 Corner Brackets 1x6x12” piece of Hardwood for mixing paddle Furring strips 3 – 10” 2 – 3” 16 - 3” screws Hinges Hasp Lock

Recommended Tools Drill Jigsaw Circular Saw Hammer Measuring tape Framing square Flexible ruler ¾” and 1” Drill Bits Hole Saw

Drill Holes in barrel for Post Step 1: Drill Holes in barrel for Post Find the center of the barrel on each end and mark it Drill a hole slightly larger than the diameter of your metal pole centered on each mark

Drill Aeration Holes in Barrel Step 2: Drill Aeration Holes in Barrel Drill 15-20 holes with a 1 inch bit on each side of the barrel Should have 30-40 holes for aeration when finished

Attach mixing paddle Step 3: Attach mixing paddle to corner brackets using screws Inside the barrel screw the corner brackets into the plastic To attach paddle to the barrel screws will have to go trough barrel into (1) 10” furring stripe on the outside of barrel.

Drill Holes in 4x4 for post Step 4: Drill Holes in 4x4 for post Measure 6” down on both 4x4 posts, and mark the center of each post On the mark drill a hole slightly larger than the diameter of your metal pole (do this on both 4x4s)

Step 5: Assemble Stand Stand 4x4s up with holes at the top and place a 2x4 on each side Use screws to secure 2x4s to the 4x4s

Assemble Stand Part 2 Step 5: Find the middle of the remaining 2x4s and center them on the end of the 4x4 perpendicular to the other 2x4s Place one screw into each of the 2x4 ends and one into the 4x4 Make sure you don’t hit the screws going the other direction

Place barrel on stand Step 6: Slide post through holes on barrel Put one end of post through the 4x4, slide post through until the other end will slide into the other 4x4

Drill Holes to cut out door Step 7: Drill Holes to cut out door Measure and draw a 12” x 12” section for the door Drill a small hole in each corner for the jigsaw to get started Start the jigsaw in each corner and cut out the door

Attach door with hinges Step 8: Attach door with hinges Hold the hinges up to the door and mark where the screws will go Drill a hole through the plastic on your marks

Attach door with hinges (cont.) Step 8: Attach door with hinges (cont.) Holding (1) 10” furring strip underneath the holes attach the hinge with the screws provided Repeat process to attach door to barrel

Step 9: Attach Hasp Lock Holding (1) 3” furring strip underneath the holes attach the top part of the hasp with the screws provided Repeat for the latch on the barrel Mark drill holes on the handle side Drill pilot holes as before

Attach Handle Step 10: Completed door with handle and hasp attached Drill holes through door Thread rope through holes Completed door with handle and hasp attached Tie a knot in both ends of the rope to achieve a handle of your desired length

Enjoy your finished rotating composting barrel

Thank you to our Sponsors! Department of Environmental Protection Environmental Education Grants Program Bee Kind Winery Hoyt Plumbing and Heating