1. Rotating Compost Barrel Construction

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

3. 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

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

5. 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

6. Drill Aeration Holes in Barrel
Step 2:
Drill Aeration Holes in Barrel
Drill holes with a 1 inch bit on each side of the barrel
Should have holes for aeration when finished

7. 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.

8. 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)

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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

17. Enjoy your finished rotating composting barrel

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