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Pass Through Worm Barrel

Here's a unique way to customize a common plastic barrel into a kitchen worm barrel that is the ultimate in convenience for indoor vermiculture. Using a 30 gallon plastic barrel, 30 Ft of solid 0.035" stainless steel MIG welding wire, some scrap window screen and an hour of your time, you can be set up with a pass through vermiculture system. Kitchen vegetable and fruit scraps go in the top, dry castings are harvested off the bottom. There is no need to empty the barrel, just let the worms do their thing. As the material is digested, the worms keep moving to the top, leaving castings behind. The worm bed is suspended above the bottom compartment by parallel wires strung across the barrel. As the castings on the bottom are exposed to air, they dry out and fall to the bottom. From there they can be scooped out and used for your gardening and potting needs. Cost if home built: $0.00 if you can scrounge, a few bucks if you can't, or $50 if you'd like me to make one for you. No shipping, FOB Hobbit House only... I've made this info available so that all can have their own with a minimum of fuss and expense, and so that those who succeed will feel free to share their work. All the tools you will need: jig saw with fine tooth blade, pliers with cutting jaws, tape measure, file (or belt sander) and sandpaper.
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more Devices and Tools
Barrel Work
06/12/02
Barrel Work - Lid
06/12/02
Barrel Work - Lid
06/12/02
Barrel Work - Lid
06/12/02
Barrel Work - Lid
06/12/02
Barrel Work - Lid
06/12/02
Barrel Work - Lid
06/12/02
Barrel Work - Lid
06/12/02
Barrel Work - Lid
06/12/02
Barrel Work - Lid
06/12/02
Barrel Work - Lid
06/12/02
Wire Screen - Tension Support Ring
06/12/02
Wire Screen - Tension Support Ring
06/12/02
Wire Screen - Tension Support Ring
06/12/02
Wire Screen - Tension Support Ring
06/12/02
Wire Screen - Tension Support Ring
06/12/02
Wire Screen - Tension Support Ring
06/12/02
Wire Screen - Screen Holes
06/12/02
Wire Screen - Screen Holes
06/12/02
Wire Screen - Screen Holes
06/12/02
Wire Screen - Screen Stitching
06/12/02
Wire Screen - Screen Stitching
06/12/02
Wire Screen - Screen Stitching
06/12/02
Wire Screen - Screen Stitching
06/12/02
Wire Screen - Tension Support Ring
06/12/02
Tension Wire - Install
06/12/02
Tension Wire - Tension
06/12/02
Barrel Work - Final Lid Fit
06/12/02
Barrel Work - Bung Hole Screens
06/12/02
Barrel Work - Access Opening
06/12/02
Albums courtesy of HobbitHouse Productions - Copyright 2002

Going Concerns Unlimited specializes in designing
  Subterranean Heating and Cooling Systems 
for solar greenhouses. 

John Cruickshank at Going Concerns Unlimited

learn | read | listen  in | locate | talk | video

GCU keeps the Photo Tours coming by supporting
  the development of Hobbit House 
You can too !!

Supplying free and low cost consulting services for the sustainably inclined home and land owner since 1976:

  • Greenhouse Structures and Solar Heating

  • Natural Building

  • Permaculture Systems

  • Energy Conservation

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