Burke’s Backyard DIY compost barrel
What you will need:
Recycled olive barrel with large screw lid – Available from some produce stores or try Drum Reconditioners or Recyclers in the Yellow Pages. Ours cost $15 from Macquarie Drums 12-14 Box Ave, Wilberforce Ph 0400 800 151 (Prices vary between outlets)
2 Threaded white plastic bushes (Spinweld flush fittings, 19mm internal diameter) Available from: Water Tank suppliers or some Produce stores, $2 From: Macquarie Drums, Ph: 0400 800 151
1 metre length 15mm (internal dia), galvanised pipe (medium grade). Available from steel suppliers or hardware stores, $5.06 from Metal & More, Ph: 02 4577 5652
1 metre length 12mm galvanised threaded rod pipe (medium grade). Available from steel suppliers or hardware stores, $6 from Metal & More, Ph: 02 4577 5652
6 galvanised washers and 6 gal nuts to fit 12mm threaded rod. Available from steel suppliers or hardware stores, $3.50 from Metal & More, Ph: 02 4577 5652
2 x H4 treated pine logs 2.4m long x 100mm Hardware stores or timber merchants, $20.50 from Bunnings
2 x bags concrete – hardware stores, $10.60 from Bunnings
Total: $62.66
Step 1: Find the centre of gravity of the barrel, lay a length of pipe on the ground and then lay the barrel across the pipe. Adjust until the barrel appears reasonably balanced. Without moving the barrel mark the balance point on it.
Step 2: Our barrel had seams down each side marking the precise mid points and making it easy to establish where to drill two 20mm holes for the bushes. Use the seams and the centre of gravity to make sure you drill in the correct places.
Step 3: With a 10mm drill, drill 30 to 50 holes in the barrel to allow air circulation.
Step 4: Pass the 16mm pipe through the barrel and the bushes and mark the pipe flush with the outer edges of the bushes. Do this accurately then cut the pipe off at the marks.
Step 5: Pass the threaded rod through the inner pipe but do not cut the rod at this stage.
Step 6: Concrete two posts into the ground, space the posts to your wheelbarrow width plus 50mm apart, making sure the posts are upright using a spirit level.
Step 7: Measure the height of your barrow at its highest point and also measure the barrel from its base to the axle (pipe and threaded rod). Add these two measurements together and add an extra 50mm. This will be the height that you will be drilling (12mm bit) into your posts. Take care to drill horizontally so that the rod will easily pass through.
Step 8: Two people are required to assemble the barrel onto the posts. Remove the threaded rod, hold the barrel in position and start to pass the threaded rod through the post. At this point two nuts and washers need to be screwed on between the post and the barrel before the threaded rod passes through the bushes and the inner pipe (see diagram). Once the pipe appears at the opposite end of the barrel add two nuts and washers before finally passing it through the second post.
The two inner nuts (A) and (B) are tightened, locking together the pipe and the bushes. The outer nuts and washers are used to tighten against the post supports. Finally add the nuts and washers to the rod on both outer sides of the posts and tighten against them. Trim off excess rod. The barrel will rotate on the bushes.
Tools required:
35mm hole saw or 35mm drill bit (to cut holes for bushes)
10mm drill bit (to cut holes in drum for air)
12mm drill bit (to drill posts)
2 spanners
1 drill
1 hacksaw (to cut outer pipe and threaded rod to length)
1 shovel
1 spirit level
