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Ok… So cheap is a relative term here. I had some left over 4' fencing that I tool down when my dog died. So not to waste, I used those materials to create this compost bin that , I think, has a nice look.

A few rules that I learned about composting.. It has to be turned. It needs air flow. It needs to be critter resistant.

I used the 4×4 posts to make the base and frame. The sides are higher than the front and back to allow air flow across the bottom and up the sides. The inside has chicken wire on three sides to deter varmints and allow air around the pile.

The front hinges down to allow easy access to the compost when ready and easier turning than from the top.

The lid is covered in tin and I used the fence top cut offs as a decorative edge.

In total I used:

1 8' x 4' section of fence.
1 2.5' x 8' piece of tin roofing
1 roll of chicken wire
2 lid hinges
2 gate hinges
2 latches
1 4×8 sheet of plywood
Scraps..

I had the fencing and gate hines and chicken wire from a garden project. i bought a damaged piece of plywood for $10 and the tin for $10 from Home Depot. The hinges and latches were about $10 even though I could have used some old stuff I had laying around.

I hope this inspires someone to build their own..

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Nice, I've been wanting to build one for a while just gotta get caught up on other projects 1st. Looks good though.
 

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Nice look good I just put mine in a big pile and let it compost down is this faster ?
 

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259 Posts
Great build on that cost efficient compost bin. Nice design and use of scraps. Well done!
 

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Way more UN-cheap than mine! Of course mine is a bit worse for wear right now-went out the other day to find high winds had dropped the deadwood top of a neighboring junk tree on it and mashed the whole front. So, just one more thing to add to my endless todo list…..
 
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