In October 2009 I decided to build an OSCR bin. I had purchased the plans months before but never had the time needed to work on it. I’m glad that I had time because it takes a LOT more time than one would think it would. In all, it took me part of a three week period. I worked on it whenever I had time. I estimate that it took about 70 hours in all.
Basic Bin, not yet finished
The picture above shows the bin during construction. I have a zillion photos of the contruction process but I won’t bore you with the details here. Maybe at some point if there are questions I can include some other photos.
The bin is 2′ wide, 4′ long and a total of 3′ tall. 4 swivel wheels were added to the bottom so it can be moved around easier. The 2′ width was decided on so that the bin can be moved inside into different rooms if necessary. Most interior doorways are 32 -36″ wide. The height was decided on to give an adequate depth for the worms with a large enough harvest chamber so that bending way down would not be needed.
One feature in the harvest chamber was to be able to get one or two trays into it to collect the vermicompost (VC). I happen to have a number of “rabbit” trays that I use for various things in the strawberry business. These tays are 2′ x 2′. Two trays fit in nicely.
I modified the construction of the bin. I had read about the “Vermitopia” bin online. Their assessment was that the 2×4 structure tended to rot out after a few years and that replacement of rotten parts was difficult. I didn’t want to have to deal with rotten parts ever if possible. So, the 2×4 and 2×3 structure was designed to be on the outside with plywood on the inside.
Another modification is in the harvest structure. The plans call for weed wacker string or steel cables to be strung 2″ apart. Again, the “Vermitopia” bin assessment was that the 2×6’s used cracked and rotted. In addition, I didn’t want to have to get down on my knees (I’m older and that’s a real struggle for me) to rake the VC. I had built a bin earlier which is 2′ x 2′ and used 1/2″ emt pipe in it spaced at 2″. The spacing seemed a bit close in that bin so I went 2.25″ for this bin.
- OSCR bin with 1/2″ emt pipes
The picture above shows the pipe. It turns out that 1/2″ emt has an outside diameter just under 3/4″. I drilled holes through the plywood. I did not drill through a 2×6. Instead, I used 2×4’s and rested the emt pipes ON TOP of the 2×4’s as shown below.
- OSCR bin showing holes drilled for emt pipes
To avoid using a rake, I drilled holes in the emt pipes every 2″. I staggered the holes so the pipes next to each other didn’t have holes next to each other. For example, the first pipe has the first hole 1″ from the plywood. The second pipe’s first hole is 2″ from the plywood. Into each hole in the emt I screwed in self drilling tek screws, I think they were #12’s 1.5″ long. When the pipes are turned, the tek screws will agitate the VC and loosen it – at least that was the plan.
This ends the first installment. I will add more soon as time is running out on me today. Until then, take care …..