What did you make?

[DDTempest]

This is a thread for things you've created (other than food).

My first submission is this simple movable compost bin:


Materials:
6x 8ft landscape timber $2-$3 a piece
4x metal stake ... $5 a piece. found in masonry section, normal use is to line up boards for sidewalks and shit

Tools:
sledgehammer
saw of some kind
drill with 1" wood bit


1. Cut landscape timbers in half. For the math deficient, that's 4ft.
2. Drill a 1 inch hole three inches from the end of each piece, you should have twelve of these now
3. Stack them up with holes alligned, drive stake down center of holes and fill with dead plants.

Once you've created compost (dirt), just remove pieces until you can easily access your heap ... or move the bin all together and start a new batch!

Total cost was <$40

[DDTempest]

My second creation from the last couples of days (actually made it first) is my retractable workbench. I am really cheap when it comes to making things so I used nearly all leftover pieces from other projects or salvaged pieces from things I've taken apart.



And down:



For the top I used the base of a freestanding closet that was left in my house by the former owner.

I attached it to the wall using four hinges and affixed two hinged 4x4 legs to the base using a scrap fencepost.

The chains serves as extra support in case the legs get knocked out from under it and also to secure it in the upright fashion. This was much easier than making a large stable bench using new lumber and MUCH cheaper. Total cost for the hinges / screws / hooks / chain was approximately $35-40.

[Mr. Blonde]

My roommates and I made a folding beer pong table very similar to that in college in our basement, only it folded downwards.

[Ugly Bastard]

I'm impressed at how handy you are, DDT. You will make a great husband and father.

[ninjaface]

[Mr. Blonde]

Originally Posted by DDTempest

This is a thread for things you've created (other than food).

My first submission is this simple movable compost bin:

What is the purpose of it being movable? Do you plan on moving it to certain plots so you can spread the compost in certain parts of your yard, or is it just for possible future location?

I understand the need for ventilation, but aren't you concerned about the compost leaking out the sides as the pile gets higher?

[Beebs]

It's so he can move the wood and leave the pile. I thought about the gap thing too, but if you made the corners jointed, it would be hard to move.

[Mr. Blonde]

Originally Posted by Beebs

It's so he can move the wood and leave the pile

This is what I was curious about I guess. Most compost piles I've seen are stationary and then compost is shoveled/wheelbarrowed to other parts of the garden or whatever is being fertilized.

[DDTempest]

Originally Posted by Mr. Blonde

This is what I was curious about I guess. Most compost piles I've seen are stationary and then compost is shoveled/wheelbarrowed to other parts of the garden or whatever is being fertilized.

Well the idea is mostly so I can make a new pile. You typically just throw shit on the top of a compost heap ... if you take anything out of the pile, you end up taking the top most layer. This results in the bottom layer becoming more or less a hill in your yard instead of a pile of composted materials. After making a bunch, I move the bin over a couple feet and start a new one ... while using the already composted pile for any dirt needs.

As far as shit falling out the sides? Not really too concerned ... most compost is moist and compressed downward, also if I got dirt on the surrounding dirt... Apparently in the composting community it is not unheard of to use freight pallets as the walls for a bin, this just looks better than that and accomplishes the same thing. I'll let you know in the spring if its the worst design ever.

[DDTempest]

Originally Posted by Beebs

It's so he can move the wood and leave the pile. I thought about the gap thing too, but if you made the corners jointed, it would be hard to move.

This design also allows for it to be adjustable for height (like leaves in the fall) while still giving me the ability to take it down if I need to till it a bit once its compacted.

[DDTempest]

Originally Posted by Ugly Bastard

I'm impressed at how handy you are, DDT. You will make a great husband and father.

Thank you sir for your backhanded compliment.

[Mr. Blonde]

Didn't even realize that. Must be getting old.

+1 to being handy though, my number one regret with my living situation these past several years is not being able to accumulate lots of tools and build things with it, something I hope to change relatively soon, I have a lot of DIY projects I want to work on.

[THEINCREDIBLEdork]

This is the compost heap thread.

[angry pancake]

But you can repair a fist sized hole in a wall.

[Ugly Bastard]

Originally Posted by ninjaface

Contextually, I take it that's your kid? How about me not knowing you were a father?

[Mr. Blonde]

Ninja definitely does not have a kid, but I have no idea why he posted that.

[Saint DH]

You don't have to be a father to make a baby! (Insert racist joke about blacks here).

[ninjaface]

That's a picture of my daughter, Dumptruck.

[Saint DH]

Awesome name imo.