DIY Compost Tumbler | PART 2 - Making The Compost Barrel

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In this video, Robert explains his process for creating a compost tumbler from a pickle barrel.
Overall, Robert’s goal was to keep the overall cost low for creating a DIY compost barrel but also making a compost tumbler that would be reliable and hold up over time.
Below you can find the majority of the parts and cut dimensions Robert used in the video.
Check Out Robert's Other Compost Barrel Videos:
DIY Compost Tumbler | PART 1 - Building The Frame: • DIY Compost Tumbler | ...
Parts / Items Used In Video:
► Stainless Steel Continuous Hinge - amzn.to/3muGawA
► Adjustable Toggle Clamp - amzn.to/3257k3H
► Drill Bit Set - amzn.to/3dNU5db
►4”x2’ PVC Schedule 40- www.homedepot.com/p/Charlotte...
►Rivet Gun - amzn.to/2RfcMyR
►Aluminum Screen - www.homedepot.com/p/Phifer-36...
►#10-32 Machine Screws - amzn.to/321eGFs
►#10-32 Nylon Lock Nuts - amzn.to/39Vts4S
►#10 Flat Washers - amzn.to/2Ow9W7G
►3/16x1” Fender Washers - www.lowes.com/pd/Hillman-7-Co...
Optional Items:
►DEWALT 12-Inch Miter Saw: amzn.to/3ujxV9u​
►Quick Grip Clamps (Kit): amzn.to/39Iripd​
►Combination Square - amzn.to/39Qz5l5
►Ratchet Socket Wrench Set - amzn.to/39W4YJ0
►Band Saw - www.harborfreight.com/10-amp-...
#GreenTechTown​

[@Jarom.M]

That sheet of paper trick for a right angle that curved was clever!

[@Thimlich]

Excellent video! I wish I could be this organized!😎

[@Backyard.Grill.N.Garden]

Great job on showing your detail and also a precise list of the items used and where to buy them. Thanks !👍🏼

[@edelweissrime2508]

Thank you so much. My dad isn't in the picture to help teach me these things, and I want to start a garden for my boyfriend and I. Learning how to make this through your channel has been nice.

[@GreenTechTown]

Hey Edelweiss Rime. Thanks for sharing, and glad to be able to help in a small way. You got this!

[@UncleKrusty68]

FYI - Use a washer with your pop-rivets to make them more secure. They are less likely to pull through.

[@jimyoung9262]

Good tip. I was thinking the same thing.

[@chrisjones6002]

If you get the large head rivets and can put the head on the plastic side it should work without washers.

[@kcjarembek]

Never use aluminum anything to use in gardening, its very toxic

[@annanelson6830]

Thanks for showing the process when the rivets did’t work. It is very helpful to see your learning curve.

[@GreenTechTown]

No problem!

[@lancer525]

@@GreenTechTown That's why they make backup plates (look like little tiny washers) for these rivets.

[@harrys.3165]

​@GreenTechTown just a tip for when you pop rivet.Get some washers that snuggly fit on your pop rivet and place them on the inside of your plastic over the end of your pop rivets.That way when you squeeze your pop rivets ,it will squeeze the washer against the plastic and you will have a rivet that won't come off.This can be used in many different situations. Kind regards and nice work !

[@wyldeman]

Best tumbler for compost I think.... this way you can take it down and clean it between mixes...10☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

[@glenwardgross366]

GTT Great Video. Well spoken. To the point. No bla bla bla. Since you are helping ppl out then let me help you out and others that read this comment. If you can find skateboards at Yard Sales/Good Well/Thrift Stores etc. You got your wheels to rotate the barrel. The PVC you used for your paddles is Cell Core which is expensive and over kill for your project. Most all home improvement stores are going to have Stacker. Stackers are the 2x4 etc. that allows the forklift blades to get underneath the wod bunks to transport them. I know at Lowes stacker are free. There are also stackers that are like 1 x 1-1/2, Just ask for them. I use the 2x4 stackers as my paddles. BTW stacker are pressure traded so they will last a while. Use a hot knife to cut the door at a 45 degree angle toward the center of the barrel. The cut is only going to be as thick as the blade and since it is a 45 degrees the door will not fall in to the barrel because the 45 degree angles will touch. Don't worry about how many days to turn the barrel. Your setup means you have to walk by it everyday. Grab the barrels notich at 12:00 and move it to the 9:00 position. Now you are petting your compost barrel like a pet. He He I hope this helps you all. Blessing Sean Dalton Osborne

[@heavymetalandthongs]

Man what a great video. Simple and not a bunch of BS talking about stuff that doesn't apply to the project. Nailed it!

[@funsizedi88]

New subscriber, loving the way you explain things. Family of tradesman here, Electrician myself, so watching/listening to your instructions makes me warm and fuzzy. Loving the ideas and simplicity to make amazing things. This is becoming a lost art, so thanks for keeping it alive.

[@GreenTechTown]

Awesome, welcome aboard, and thanks for the support :D

[@jeffschroeder4805]

Adding back-up washers to those pop-rivets that don't already have metal backing would help prevent them from pulling through the relatively soft plastic. Good video for a good project!

[@kpspryantha7784]

Tank im srilanka

[@Photologistic]

Their still really weak though.

[@yelnatsch517]

How about a thin sheet of metal strip around the the whole door?

[@webb-cast1030]

Great video! A few tips to make this build faster and WAY less expensive. First off, ditch the expensive stainless hardware. The whole project can be put together with 2 different length aluminum pop-rivets and washers. The toggle clamps included, just rivet from the inside. The other thing is temporarily rivet the latches and hinge before cutting out the door. One rivet in each corner will hold everything in place while you drill the rest of the holes. It just takes a few seconds to drill out each temporary rivet. The door has to line up if done this way.

[@zen777zen777]

Consistently, you’re creating some of the best instructional videos out there. Period. Love this particular project and how you show us how to be flexible, creative & work around the problems that inevitably creep in. Really great work Robert!

[@GreenTechTown]

Thanks Travis for the feedback. Much appreciated!

[@gardenjohn1]

@@GreenTechTown Love all your videos!

[@buildinginjamaica-missionv3365]

Great instructions and inspiration! My wife wants to start gardening and I would love to build this for her! Thanks for the thorough and to the point video.

[@racebiketuner]

Nice tumbler! If you do your homework, you will learn the oxygen introduced by tumbling is consumed in about 30 minutes. Therefore turning every 2-3 days is not enough. I recommend once per day as a minimum. I do composting on a much larger scale, but have three tumblers for filling in any gaps in production. With tight control on all parameters, I can finish a batch in five weeks when I turn them twice per day.

[@deborahgrantham7387]

Thank you, I have a rotating tumbler and was unable to find any info regarding how often to turn it. 👍

[@raczyk]

Any way to automate the tumbling process..

[@ruinunes8251]

Do you use the compost only for plants or also for growing vegetables?

[@patrickdriscoll9962]

I made this one with some changes from other videos. However thankfully I DID NOT put half inch holes all over for aeration, as some videos recommend, but instead put 8" dia .holes at each end like in this video with aluminum screening over them sealed at any gaps with construction adhesive. These barrels can become a housefly breeding mecca, and half inch holes would allow uninterrupted travel.

[@michellehamilton3147]

Great video. Well planned and produced. Looking forward to doing this project!

[@kevincondo3994]

Thank you for this video. My wife and I are expanding our garden this spring and this compost will be perfect for that.

[@bradlafferty]

You film your videos in such as way so to let us visual learners understand what you’re doing. Thank you for your professional videos!

[@Grimmbelina]

Beautiful work, really like how your OCD kicked in because that's how I would want to craft it. Very well done.

[@angforeman5181]

I’m really enjoying your videos. Fantastic tutorials and attention to quality and detail! Thank you so much for sharing your skill and knowledge.

[@keithnordell5603]

Great video Robert! I will share it with my wife to get her onboard with the all the wonderful new tools I get to buy to complete the project. Our water here doesn’t care if my aeration holes are level or symmetrical, so I’ll save a few minutes and jab 1/4” holes with reckless abandon, and no where near my castor wheels. I’ll also build two so one can finish cooking off while the other is getting loaded with daily kitchen scraps. thanks!

[@shotybumbati]

Oh woah, using fixed castor wheels is a great idea for the rotating drum! omg i need to do this, I've just made a big pile off to the side of my yard this whole time-

[@dianegao9176]

Great video. I love the way you explained the steps of the project. It’s a smart idea to measure the curve with a paper and putting the wheel barrel under the compost barrel. Liked and subscribed. Thank you.

[@greeneileen]

Really well done. Thank you for sharing. Now all you need is a frame of mesh for the top of your wheelbarrow to screen out any composted material that's bigger than you want.

[@loghomebuilder407]

Thanks for a great video! I particularly liked how you provided links to all of your material/tool sources.

[@bryanmoir3184]

Great ideas and approaches! Your perspective on all aspects is welcome, including composting tips!

[@GreenTechTown]

Thanks Bryan!

[@zedwpd]

Perfect. Exactly what I am looking for.

[@mr.skipper4544]

This is an awesome compost design, you did a great job in building it, thanks for sharing

[@GreenTechTown]

Thanks for the feedback Mr. Skipper!

[@joelzammy7967]

Well thought, designed and executed. The composter looks great!

[@Sam-qr9wu]

Fantastic build video! Thanks for posting.

[@jamesmoore1743]

Just came across your channel! I will be showing support

[@GreenTechTown]

Thanks for the support!

[@LY43537]

You are so detail oriented. I love it.

[@peterkizer6163]

Love your craftsmanship!

[@GreenTechTown]

Thanks! :D

[@JohnDoe-ff2fc]

I'm glad that you included mistakes and how to make corrections. Hreat project.

[@mybrotherskeeper111]

Great job! I’ll definitely be building myself one. Keep up the great work.

[@GreenTechTown]

Thanks, and awesome to hear!

[@paulhicks6060]

This was an awesome video, the commentary was clear and easy to understand. Good work, thank you very much

[@raymondparr2775]

Fantastic video, Robert. Just what I needed.

[@christopherearls921]

Excellent video for those looking to build their own.. 👍

[@brentfrank5491]

This design looks amazing. Putting this on my very long list of “To Do”

[@fionajordan6565]

Wow that's a great video composting is great for the garden . am building one right now 😀 keep on gardening

[@tonnehead777]

Very smart idea! Really good step by step guide.

[@AJsGreenThumbLLC]

Outstanding. Straight to the point and very doable.

[@terusberkreasi]

great ways to make diy compos tumbler. thanks for sharing this video.

[@ckmbyrnes]

Excellent design! I especially like the use of the rivets and your simple, but totally man response "I wanted to experiment using one". Never let a good project than can net new tools go to waste. This is also a good design for a bokashi soil factory.

[@davidbetts9587]

This is excellent! Thank you so much. I can’t wait to build one

[@juiced6794]

Great job! I like the attention to detail!

[@Thomas-ym5cm]

Wow, awesome job man. I’m getting into farming now, and I’ll be sure to put this project on the list. Blessings

[@GreenTechTown]

Awesome!

[@kalindatchev994]

Man, this is a master's piece of work, bravo! What I do instead is dump some compost-to-be on the ground and kick at it every couple of weeks.

[@glennthomas4159]

Excellent video. Thanks for sharing!

[@gregsmith3353]

Great design! I especially like the frame. I'm considering making one out of an old round stainless steel smoker. Toying with the idea of a solar powered gear motor to rotate it .

[@dsbennett]

Excellent instruction! Thanks.

[@tereselapree222]

Great content! You make it look so easy!

[@collietree1945]

Genius. Nice design

[@juliahelland6488]

Great tutorial! Thanks for sharing!💯

[@Darkmatter321]

Well that was the best video I've seen on this subject

[@joetate8526]

Well built ! One of the best I've seen so far . Great info ! Thanks

[@GreenTechTown]

Thanks Joe Tate!

[@smuggafree]

You are quite talented. Great handy man for your family.

[@bobhirt1100]

You can also add a washer on the back side of the pop rivet. It'll give it a lot more to hold onto

[@BigHeinen]

Nice build sir! Thanks!

[@kakarotjone]

Good video. A lot of information. Thanks

[@pointblank1978]

When cutting the door, make the hinge cut first and mount the piano hinge on it. Then cut the top and mount the latches. Then cut the sides. This will prevent any misalignment. Also the rivets have washers that are sold separately. Great project. Thanks for sharing.

[@GreenTechTown]

Thanks for the tips!

[@aaronwu4280]

good craftmanship!

[@Yamswiggin]

Great video and SO GLAD you include some mistakes :D I love the simplicity.

[@alfonsomunoz4424]

My compost pile used to be just dried leaves and kitchen scraps (fruit rinds mostly). It did OK. But once lawn-mowing season started I added grass clippings and WHOA did my compost really start cooking! It turns out the carbon rich material needed nitrogen rich grass. Good luck!

[@GreenTechTown]

Thanks for sharing the great tip!

[@andreroy8141]

It's likely the moisture in the Grass that makes the difference. The Bacteria needs the moisture to break down the waste and to grow. That's if you're not spraying it once a week.

[@alfonsomunoz4424]

@@andreroy8141 absolutely correct. The damp grass is just the right amount of moisture.

[@666Restingplacefuergo]

My guy went hard on this build. Great job fam.

[@ThickCutBacon]

Awesome video

[@sks7g407]

Great Job, thx from Germany, Friesland ❤

[@jimyoung9262]

This is outstanding. Thanks.

[@JorgeMacedo1965]

I learned a new thing today. Thank you.

[@cameronwatson5863]

Vary well done!

[@briancunningham5011]

Well done my friend.. well done

[@Iz3k34l]

Great video! Very clear instructions, thank you!!

[@neilcollins2944]

An very well job done

[@funnyfarmdad9997]

Very nicely done!

[@GreenTechTown]

Thanks!

[@mongolloyd5236]

Awesome video, you have a touch for quality content. Great craftsmanship, clear instructions, great editing, well articulated, and thoroughly enjoyable. You get a sub from me, keep it up sir!

[@GreenTechTown]

Thanks for the feedback Anthony. Welcome aboard!

[@getmymail2676]

Starting compost bin tomorrow. Great ideas. Thanks dor the clear concise vid. New sub

[@GreenTechTown]

Welcome aboard!

[@gardenmaniawithjerry5349]

Awesome idea got to try that👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

[@singplumb]

Nice job!

[@flatsville1]

Nice build. Excellent narration. Good crying.

[@dennisjones2763]

Great Project, and really good video!

[@GreenTechTown]

Thanks Dennis!

[@jgfitzpatrick]

That's awesome! Great work, dude!

[@GreenTechTown]

Thanks Jason!

[@dontdomeboo81]

This the best one ive seen!!!! Thank you

[@formation1now517]

Very nice video! Clear instructions! Thanks!

[@TimothyPKoon]

Like your design, well done

[@bowchickawowwow7282]

awesome video

[@Musick79]

Excellent!

[@MR-ri1qp]

Nicely done!

[@jimbanton3820]

Excellent work..👍way better than store bought..

[@allantemkin6026]

Thank you for sharing your knowledge; we love your Chanel. God bless you😃

[@joycephillips831]

Awsome video. Thank you!

[@SinSpawn9000]

Another option to help from the barrel wandering off is to move the wheels just a bit further out and attach them using a wedge to angle them inward a few degrees.

[@michaelmcgourty9535]

This is great!

[@Flash-Strike]

FANTAST!C Brother GOD Bless you and yours

[@GoldenJudge]

Great video. I think I will work on something like this for the 18th. Thanks for the tips like using paper to draw vertical lines on the barrel.

[@GreenTechTown]

Awesome! Go for it!

[@cleman15]

Adding a solar powered motor would be the cherry on top, great video!

[@GreenTechTown]

Great idea!

[@keyszen]

Well done.

[@fulachan2]

Excellent work. Small idea for improvement. At 12 minutes 56 seconds, we could fit a roller that rests on the lid and the underside of the plastic bowl to make the movement even smoother when the bowl is rotated.

[@stephensarkany3577]

Since it needs some watering, you could add a water probe through the screened hole with a ball valve, or even just a funnel to pour into.

[@l.annettegriggs9991]

I would love to see a video of your composting with your new system!

[@chrisblack5795]

I'm definitely using some of your ideas! Another fabulous instructional video! Great ideas on clamping and drilling too.