This is the tumbler I made this weekend. I added a little piece of slip joint between the tumbler and the wood so that the tumbler is tight but doesn't rub on the wood. I also added the caps to finish it off. This barrel does not have a removable lid. I cut it off and have to bungie it back on. The 2x4's are from HD cull costing .51 a piece. Some pieces were long enough to get two cuts. The wood pieces holding the axel is red oak plywood also from HD cull. The axel is 2" schedule 80. I had to go to a plumbing suppy to get this. This video was our starting point.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v... The tumbler is now loaded with 1 part cardboard, 2 parts leaves, .5 part coffee grounds and .5 parts kitchen green waste for a total C:N ratio of 29.61. I watered it good before putting the lid on, then tumbled it. As you know you cannot have good microbe rich compost without water and oxygen. BTW I drilled air holes in the barrel and two holes in the bottom for the excess water to drain out. I made this barrel because I can't keep compost in a pile wet enough for the microbes, I don't want to have to turn it and if I don't the microbes will die, and the mice kept moving into my pile not to mention la cucaracha came to dinner too. Sonita, if you need more detail c-mail me. I will see if my son kept the word doc he gave me. It has all his measurements.
