Step 6: This is a pretty simple structure. Use 2×6 lumber, but 2x4s should work fine too and will be a little lighter. My side pieces are 34 inches long and the ends are 19 inches long which leaves a gap of 16 inches in the middle.
Note that one end needs to be ripped down 2.5 inches lower than the other because the drum needs to overrun the box slightly so that the coarse materials spill out of the drum. If you use 2x6s (1.5 x 5.5) your spillway end piece will be 3 inches wide. If you are using 2x4s (1.5×3.5) then your end piece will be one inch wide.
If you use different size rims then you will need to modify the dimensions to accommodate your particular arc.
Step 7: To align your rollers place the finished drum onto the roller box and then mark your roller positions. You may want to attach the rollers first with simple drywall screws to test their positioning and then drill and bolt them later once you are happy with the alignment.
Step 8: Once the roller box is complete you are ready to try the trommel out. Just make sure the output side of the trommel is slightly downhill from the input side.
If you have a large quantity of material to screen you may want to find a buddy who will keep turning the drum while you continue shoveling material.
You may find that if you pile a couple of shovelfuls of material in the uphill end of the drum some of the coarse material tends to spill uphill and out of the drum. To solve this problem make a simple partition out of plywood to prevent this from happening. It will not be a problem when operating the trommel with a buddy since the material will not build up into such a large pile as you have when working alone.
This is indeed very simple equipment that would help an average gardener make compost. You could copy this project as it is or you can use it as inspiration. Be creative, look around you. What do you have in your garage or storage you think you could use to make compost? Would you build your own compost sifter?
A big shoutout goes to SteveGerber for providing invaluable insights and tips for this fantastic compost sifter project!
Benefits of Using a Compost Sifter
Using a compost sifter is an essential step in the gardening process that can significantly improve the quality and effectiveness of your soil amendments. By separating larger, uncomposted materials from the finer, nutrient-rich compost, sifters enable gardeners to achieve more homogeneous soil that is easier to work with and better for plant health.
Here’s why incorporating a compost sifter into your gardening routine can be a game-changer.
Enhanced Soil Texture
A compost sifter refines the soil by removing larger chunks and debris, which can obstruct plant roots and hinder growth. The finer compost produced through sifting promotes better soil aeration and drainage, allowing roots to expand more easily and access the nutrients they need to thrive. This results in a loamier, more friable soil that is ideal for almost all types of gardening projects.
Improved Plant Health and Growth
Finely sifted compost is free of larger organic materials that might not have fully decomposed. This ensures that the nutrients within the compost are more readily available to plants. As a result, plants grown in sifted compost exhibit stronger growth, greater resilience against diseases, and more vigorous root systems. By using a compost sifter, gardeners can directly influence the health and productivity of their plants.
More Efficient Composting
Using a compost sifter can also make the composting process more efficient. By removing larger items that take longer to break down, the compost pile can decompose more uniformly and quickly. This not only speeds up the composting process but also helps in maintaining a tidier and more manageable compost heap.
Reduction of Weed Seed Spread
Sifting compost helps to remove weed seeds that have not been completely broken down during the composting process. Applying unsifted compost can introduce and spread weed seeds throughout your garden, leading to increased maintenance and potential harm to your plants. A compost sifter reduces this risk, ensuring that your garden beds remain as weed-free as possible.
Versatility in Usage
Apart from building fine compost, a compost sifter finds application in many other garden chores. It can be used to prepare potting mixes, sort dirt looking for rocks and other trash, or even clean leaves and other materials from mulch. A useful tool in the gardener’s toolkit, this adaptability allows a compost sifter to meet several purposes outside basic compost preparation.
Cost-Effective Gardening
Over time, investing in or building a compost sifter can help to save money. Improving the quality of homemade compost will help gardeners cut their dependence on potentially expensive store-bought soil additions and fertilisers. Furthermore, bettering plant health lessens the need for chemical treatments, so lowering the gardening costs.
Encouragement of Sustainable Practices
Using a compost sifter also promotes environmentally friendly gardening methods at last. It lowers waste, maximises the use of homemade compost, and supports a green method of gardening. Gardeners help to lower organic waste by effectively turning yard waste and kitchen scraps into premium compost, so improving the surroundings.
Including a compost sifter into your gardening activities not only maximises the quality of your compost but also supports a more environmentally friendly, economical, and effective gardening method.
Gardener’s DIY Dream
Create a compost sifter in just eight easy steps and transform your gardening experience. This DIY project will help you efficiently separate valuable compost from larger debris, enhancing the quality of your soil and promoting sustainable gardening practices.
This step-by-step guide makes DIY-ing your very own a breeze. You’ll be able to effortlessly piece together a functional compost sifter with hassle-free instructions. In practically no time at all, you’ll be able to enjoy the remarkable advantages of nutrient-rich compost, which will undoubtedly breathe new life into your gardening endeavours.
Bid farewell to the laborious task of hand-sifting or shelling out a hefty sum for a motorized sifter. Instead, say hello to an efficient and gratifying composting venture with this DIY compost sifter!
For more ways of creating compost from waste, check out our double-decker drum composter project!
