A 55 gal barrel on a 3/4 in conduit axle between two 2x4 end frames, with a hinged door and air holes.
Draft plan, generated from the model. Not yet build-tested.
55 galBarrel
47 x 44 x 50 inSize
about 35 gal a batchCompost
4 to 6 hrBuild time
~$114.58Materials, part estimate
Drawings All dimensions in inches
3D viewfinishedFront elevationRight elevationPlan viewfrom above
Cut list: lumber Long-point lengths; angles noted
Qty
Stock
Length
Part
Cut
1
2x4
44
Brace
on edge, between the end frames
2
2x4
38
Leg left
on edge
2
2x4
38
Leg right
on edge
1
2x4
27 1/2
Axle block left
on edge, drilled 7/8 in for the axle
1
2x4
27 1/2
Axle block right
on edge, drilled 7/8 in for the axle
1
2x4 PT
44
Foot left
on edge, screwed to the legs
1
2x4 PT
44
Foot right
on edge, screwed to the legs
Lumber cutting diagram Lengths chosen for the lowest cost; 1/8 in kerf, 1/2 in end trim
2x4 x 12 ft
Leg left 1 38Leg left 2 38Leg right 1 38Axle block left 27 1/2
2x4 x 10 ft
Brace 44Leg right 2 38Axle block right 27 1/2
2x4 PT x 8 ft
Foot left 44Foot right 44
Shopping list $104.58 checked / $10.00 estimated
Item
Store
Qty
Each
Line
Note
2x4x12 stud, SPF
Home Depot
1
$7.12
$7.12
see lumber cutting diagram
2x4x10 stud, SPF
Home Depot
1
$5.46
$5.46
see lumber cutting diagram
2x4x8 ground-contact pressure-treated
Home Depot
1
$4.68
$4.68
see lumber cutting diagram
55 gal food-grade barrel, used
SD Drums or local
1
$39.00
$39.00
3/4 in EMT conduit axle, 10 ft
Home Depot
1
$11.75
$11.75
axle
Galvanized 6 in strap hinge, each (5-pack $32.99)
Home Depot
1
$6.60
$6.60
door
Barrel lid latch and handles
Home Depot
1
$10.00
$10.00
Exterior wood screws #9 x 2.5 in, 5 lb box
Home Depot
1
$29.97
$29.97
Total before tax
~$114.58
Filled dot: price read from a store listing on Oct 20, 2026. Hollow dot: estimate. Prices come from the master price list, so they change when it changes.
Build steps
Cut the legs, feet and axle blocks from 2x4s. Screw each pair of legs to a foot, then the axle block across the leg tops.
Drill a 7/8 in hole in the middle of each axle block, 34 in above the ground.
Screw the 2x4 brace between the two frames at 14 in, to hold them 47 in apart.
Drill a 7/8 in hole through the center of each end of the barrel and slide the conduit through it, with a washer and a cotter pin at each end.
Cut a 14 x 12 in door in the barrel's side, hinge it back on and add a latch. Drill 3/8 in air holes every 6 in all round.
Fill the barrel two-thirds full and turn it every other day. The compost is ready in 4 to 8 weeks.
Before you start
A tumbler composts in half the time of a bin, but makes only 55 gal at a time. Load it all at once and let it cook.
Fill only two-thirds full or it will not mix. Add dry leaves if it gets wet and smelly.
A full barrel weighs 300 lb. Use 4x4s for the legs if you need to.
The barrel is food-grade and not in the master price list; used barrels cost $20 to $40.
Draft drawings generated from the model. Build one before selling this plan.