Beehive composter bin

[Peter Hamilton-Scott]

My wife bought me all of my Festool power tools except for the MFT/3 I got from ebay. She's been after a beehive composter bin for a couple of years. I was thinking of giving her a present for the wonderful gift of tools she gave me even though she knew I was going to be made redundant at the end of June. I'd like to make a beehive composter bin for her and I've found various pictures of them and I have a rough idea of how I'm going to build it.

I've got some questions I'd like you to help me with:

1. The thing I'm not sure about is what is the best wood to use to build it? I've read that a good thickish stock of marine ply is better but I'm really not sure. Any recommendations taking into account it needs to survive in UK weather which means lots of rain and extremes of humidity?

2. I know she'd like something that can be painted but I'm not quite sure that's a good idea unless the wood is completely treated first and even then is it a good idea to paint on top of a preservative? Any finishing tips would be valuable.

 

[JeromeM]

My wife bought me all of my Festool power tools except for the MFT/3 I got from ebay. She's been after a beehive composter bin for a couple of years. I was thinking of giving her a present for the wonderful gift of tools she gave me even though she knew I was going to be made redundant at the end of June. I'd like to make a beehive composter bin for her and I've found various pictures of them and I have a rough idea of how I'm going to build it.

I've got some questions I'd like you to help me with:

2. I know she'd like something that can be painted but I'm not quite sure that's a good idea unless the wood is completely treated first and even then is it a good idea to paint on top of a preservative? Any finishing tips would be valuable.

I can only give advice on the second point, and that is as far as painting over treated wood there is no problem as long as you allow the solvents /carrier to dry off first. You will see that the ones on the  http://www.periodfeatures.net/beehive-compost-bin.htm website are are all painted treated wood. Also do not use an exterior latex use a good oil paint

FWIW as most of my wood products are in Thailand the problems of both rot and insect attack are very much greater than in the UK I treat ALL my wood before finishing, often before use as well.

There is one point you need to consider and that is that the corners will be much colder than other parts and so, unless you do something to solve the problem, contents near the corner will not compost well. Were I making one I would be inclined either to add some insulation or use the beehive as a cosmetic cover for a round composting container.

 

[Peter Hamilton-Scott]

JeromeM, those are good points you raised. Having researched it a bit further the smart money leans in the direction to use pressure treated lumber. I have a couple of timber yards nearby so I'll go and see what their stock lines are. One thing I've seen mentioned is that the dimensions of the composter bin should be done right otherwise there's a tendency for it to look out of proportion. I will build a number of layers and let my princess tell me when she's happy with the overall size sans the top which will need some additional work and design.

Thanks for the Taiwanese perspective and I'd imagine the humidity there adds a new angle to the usage of them. I would never have guessed about the heat dissipation in the corners. I'll build in something to compensate. As for the finish it looks like an oil-based paint is indeed the way to dress it in other colours than gray or green or blue. I also have to get out of this anal attempt I exhibit to try and machine things to the nearest millimeter. For composters, a snug-ish fit is better than a heavy hammer fit.

 

[sw1211]

I would never have guessed about the heat dissipation in the corners. I'll build in something to compensate.

or just stir the contents every so often.

 

[bionicus]

Yeah I wouldn't worry about the corners. Stir it once a week or so and keep everything moist with the garden hose. In my experience introducing water and oxygen really gets things going. I've stirred up ash in my large compost bin, that's how hot it gets.

 

[JeromeM]

JeromeM,
Thanks for the Taiwanese perspective

Taiwanese  ??? ??? ??? ??? Though I have been there a couple of times it is about 1,500 miles from where I do my wood butchery near Udon Thani in Thailand http://meekings.selfip.com/photo-groups/more-groups/2009/woodwork/

 

[pixelbricks]

If you're using the resulting compost for vegetable gardens do some research on the chemicals used in the treated wood. Some of it is bad for health. Check the material safety data sheets MSDS. Copper sulfate and arsenic are often used to treat wood.