How to Make a Compost Bin From Scrap Pine Wood
Pine is a great material to make compost bins, because the natural odor of the pinewood disguises many of the unpleasant odors of a compost bin. However, working with scrap wood, whether it is pine or oak, can be a headache when you are attempting to build a structure of certain dimensions. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Tape measure
- Pencil
- Carpenter's square
- Miter saw
- Work gloves
- Safety goggles
- Facemask
- Nails
- Hammer
Instructions
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1
Measure the scrap pieces of pinewood; this will help you determine the size of your compost bin. Look for pieces at least 3 feet long; and sit to the side. If you do not have enough pieces measuring 3 feet long to build four sides measuring 3 feet tall, you will have to patch pieces together.
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2
Mark all longer pieces at 3 feet with a pencil. Draw straight lines and 90-degree angles using a carpenter's square.
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3
Cut the pieces to all measure 3 feet long, if possible, using the miter saw. Wear work gloves, safety goggles and a facemask while working with the miter saw; this will prevent sawdust from irritating the skin, eyes and airways.
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4
Lay two cut pieces down, parallel to one another. The pieces should be 3 feet apart at the outer edges. Nail pieces between the two boards to create a single, solid platform. Repeat this to create five pieces just like this. Pieces that are too wide at the top can be cut down with a miter saw.
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5
Attach four of the pine wood platforms to create a hollow box shape. Attach the pieces together at the corners with nails driven in sideways. Nails that stick out can be hammered flat to the surface of the compost bin by hammering at an angle toward the bin. Attach the final piece to either opening of the compost bin to create the bottom of the bin.
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Tips & Warnings
Use shorter, scrap pine wood pieces of various sizes to build a compost bin if you cannot find enough pieces at least 3 feet long. To attach scrap pieces together, find pieces of approximately the same width, overlap them and nail together. Remember to hammer down ends of nails to prevent cutting or snagging skin on exposed nail tips.
Staple a plastic liner into the inside of the compost bin to prevent pesky bugs and animals from getting inside the bin. Construct a lid using the same methods you use to build the walls of the compost bin and further protect against pests.
