Self-Harvesting Vermi-Compost Bin

Below is a design for a "self-harvesting" vermi-compost bin. 

The materials were sourced from recycled lumber and fencing. The only purchased item was a metal shank used for the "slicing" action that we will see later on.

Materials needed:

• Skill saw/Jig saw
• about 16 ft. of (depending on how big you want it)  2x12's
• box of 1.5 inch screws
• 4 foot steel shank
• something that can bore a hole in metal...preferably fixed drill-press.
• 4 2x4's cut to 3 ft. each (legs) 
• 2 2x4's for corner bracing + leg support
• Deer Fencing (12ft area - two sheets)
• Staple Gun
• Siding/Lath

Step 1 Measure and Cut

Cut your 2x12's into 4- 4ft pieces + 4- 3ft pieces (3ft piece below)


Cut a rough estimate for your deer fencing (the bottom area of your 4X3 bin)...you will need to modify the fence as you apply it to allow the bin-legs to fit through.

Comments

[wllmundrwd]

Alright, what is that blue vehicle...? Looks very interesting.

[skyssa]

Electric Car :) Two seater.

[boxofish]

Looks interesting but doesn't the shank chop up alot of the unfortunate worms that might be loligaggin' around down at the bottom? Also, I'd love to see a video in action. Otherwise it's a very interesting idea, good job!

[skyssa]

Nah, the Worms move towards the top of the bin because of the organic matter that is constantly added to the bin. They always "sniff" out the decaying material... This uses the same mechanics as most worm bins only it has the added benefit of "slicer" to cut down on sifting through and picking out the good compost vs banana peels :)

I'll post a video once we have a enough worms to fill this beast... our eyes were a bit bigger than our current capacity.