DIY Compost Sifting Screen

Industrial & Manufacturing Blog

If you have a compost bin for your garden, you already know that the finished compost isn't always ready for use. Large pieces of vegetation, pieces of cornstalks and twigs often take longer to compost that kitchen scraps and grass clippings. Before using your compost, you will need to screen it to remove these. Making your own sifting screen will save you time and make using your compost easier.

Supplies

  • 1 (8') cedar board (2x2)
  • Miter saw
  • Drill
  • Wood screws
  • Staple gun and staples
  • Hardware wire

Instructions

Before you make the screened portion of your sifting screen you will need to make a sturdy frame. While you can use any type of wood you have available, cedar is sturdy and holds up well to use.

  1. Measure and cut the board into four 2-foot sections.
  2. Miter the ends of each board on a 45-degree angle.
  3.  Fit the boards together like a picture frame.
  4. Pre-drill holes in each mitered joint and screw it together with wood screws. 

Making the screen

Hardware wire, often referred to as rat wire, is ideal for the screen. You can buy this at the hardware store in mesh with either 1/4- or 1/2-inch mesh. Either will work for the screen, but the 1/2-inch mesh is adequate and makes screening faster.

  1. Cut the hardware wire so that it fits the wooden frame without overlapping the edges. 
  2. Place the hardware wire over the opening in your frame so that it is centered.
  3. Staple the hardware wire to the frame so that it is snug. Five staples spaced evenly along each side should be sufficient.

Using the sifting screen

Place the shifting screen over the top of the wheelbarrow or over a large bucket or bin to sift your compost. You may need to tilt the screen from side to side to sift the compost, depending on how many larger pieces are in your compost. Some prefer to screen their compost immediately before using it, while others screen all their finished compost and store it in a separate bin for future use.

Tips

  • These instructions make a 2-foot square sifting screen, but you can alter the size by changing the length of the boards. Consider your intended use and alter the size to fit your needs. For example, if you intend to use the screen on the top of your wheelbarrow, check the dimensions ahead of time so that the screen will cover the top of the wheelbarrow.
  • You can also use an old milk crate as an emergency screen for compost. Shovel the compost into the milk crate and tilt the crate from side to side to filter out large objects.

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19 June 2015

Successful Management of Big Industrial Equipment

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