Compost bin made from the front of a fireplace I found in the neighbors trash and a free wooden skid.

Step 1: Tools and Supplies

Tools needed: Drill, pilot bit, phillips head bit, hammer, angle grinder with cut-off blade, tape measure, and a circular saw.

Supplies: Screws (I used 3" deck screws i had layin around), wooden skid (free at lots of businesses), front off an old fireplace (free from my neighbors trash), a good location (i had a good spot already at my house with a brick bottom and concrete blocks on three sides from an old building), and wire.

Step 2: Get the Free Wood

Take apart the skid. A hammer doesn't work very good for this, because the wood just splits. The easiest way I could think of was to first check for nails sticking out. Then go down both sides with the circular saw. Flip the skid and repeat. Then use those pieces for the corner posts.

To free the cross boards from the middle board use the angle grinder to cut the nail heads off. Use a hammer to knock the boards lose from the nail shafts. After you do this use the hammer to knock the pointy nail shafts down so you don't got poked.

You now have your free lumber!

Step 3: Make the Three Walls

Set up your corner posts. Use the cross boards from the skid for the walls. Start form the bottom up. Put the board where you want it. Drill a pilot hole through the crossboard and into the corner post. Then screw it in place. Repeat until you have your three walls. You can use clamps to hold the boards in place if you want. Space your boards an inch or so to allow air flow.

Step 4: The Fireplace Front

Add the fireplace front. I wired the two glass doors together then tipped it on its side. This keeps the door from slamming down on your foot. I just wedged it in between the walls. It's easily removed for turning the compost. My hopes are that the glass in the door will create more heat in my compost pile.

Step 5: Fill It Up

Fill it up with different layers of greens and browns watering each as you go. Make it about three feet deep. Thats it, just turn it about once a week. Wait a few months to a year, then you will have your very own free compost.