OSCA Vermiculture Compost System

3.0 Construction Plans:

3.1 General Guidelines

A detailed parts list for each component of the OSCR compost system appeats in Appendix B, Table B-9.

Use wood glue on all contact surfaces.

When joining plywood and 2x2 W i n g pieces (1 518 x 1 314) use one inch flat head wood screws.

When joining two pieces of 2x2 framing pre-drill a pilot hole and use two inch sheet mck screws.

Wood screws should be used approximately every 6 inches.

Use of a power screw driver will make assembly a lot easier.

As you read the assembly instructions, refer often to the drawings. Pieces are referred to by size and location.

Cut out all the panels from the 518 CDX plywood, labelmg them as you cut each piece.

Cut the 2x4s down the center lengthwise. Measure and cut each framiig piece one at a time, otherwise the material removed in the saw cut will alter the lengths. In most cases this is not critical but accurate cuts will help ensure squareness of the bin.

Tools:

circular saw hammer

power drill straight edge

power screw driver or variable speed drill motor Phillips screw driver

metal shears: to cut screen hand crosscut saw

1 inch hole saw bit: for vent holes tape measure

1 li2 inch hole saw bit: forvent holes knife: to cut foam insulation

coping saw: to cut hole for drain staple gun and li2 inch staples: for screen

caulking tube gun

3.2 OSCR Vermiculture Compost Bin

Assembly Instructions

1) Begin by attaching the four vertical framing pieces, (2ea 5 318 & 2ea 6 318), which support the harvest chamber floor to the side panels, (36x34 314) aligning them flush with the corners.

2) Stand the back panel (48x36) and the two side panels up side down on a level surface like a concrete floor and attach the back panel to the side panels. Offset the screws entering from adjoining comer panels.

3) Attach all four horizontal framing pieces (2ea 46 314 & 2ea 31 114) which support the harvest chamber floor, driving screws through the plywood sides. The front framing piece can be fastened to the plywood as well, using a single screw on each end.

OSCR Vermiculture Compost System

Carehlly turn the structure right side up and secure the harvest chamber floor panel (46 314x34 314) to the horizontal framing pieces.

Attach the four vertical framing pieces (2ea 9 318 & 2ea 8 3/8), which support the reactor chamber floor frame to the plywood panels.

Cut a 314 inch strip of 518th~ plywood 46 314 inches long and anchor to the front edge of the harvest chamber floor.

Optional Heater Rack Bracket: Even if you don't think you need the heater you should install the bracket frame at this time. If you find you do want to add the heater rack at a later date it will be less difficult. See page 3-16.

Pre-drill pilot holes for two inch sheetrock screws by holding the framing pieces in place while drilling pilot holes. Secure the four vertical pieces (2ea 4 & 2 ea 3) taking care to get the matched pairs on the proper ends of the bin. The vertical height from the ground to the top of the bracket should be roughly equal. Secure the horizontal framing pieces (2ea 34 314).

Mark with a pencil or center punch, on the front & back panel and on the front frame piece, the points where you will be drilling holes for the nylon cord. Also mark the position for the two cross-members, which must fit in the space between the cord.

Attach the four horizontal framing oieces (2ea 46 314 & 2ea 3 1 112) which make uo the frame -. for the reactor chamber floor. Be careful not to put screws in positions, which will prevent you from drilling holes for the nylon cord or where you will mount the cross-members.

Attach cross-members (2ea 3 1 112) in the reactor chamber floor frame using two sheetrock screws in each end.

Attach the four vertical framing pieces (1 7 114) in the comers of the reactor chamber. If they protrude above the edge of plywood trim the excess off before anchoring.

Attach the horizontal framing pieces (2ea 43 112 & 2ea 3 11112) around the upper edge of the reactor chamber.

Install the drain in the harvest chamber floor. Precise location of the drain is not necessary, but you do need to get a drain pan under the hole. The center of the drain should be about six inches from the front and side, on the low end ofthe chamber.

Attach the upper front panel (48x20) to the existing structure flush with the top comers of the side panels.

Attach the framing pieces (2ea 38 114 & 2ea 27) to the under side of the top door panel (36x48). Mount the hinges to the under side of the top door panel. Cut, file or chisel a notch about the depth of the hinge plate in the top edge of the pack panel, so the top door panel will rest upon the edge of the back panel.

Attach the framing piece (43) to the lower edge of the harvest chamber door (48x13).

Drill vent holes in plywood panels using a 1" hole saw bit.

Drill holes for nylon cord which forms the base ofthe reactor chamber floor.

If you are going to install the sliding vent covers drill the holes for the mounting screws at this time. See page 3-1 1.

Using paintable caulk, run a bead of sealer along alljoints.

Paint the OSCR bin inside and out with light tone exterior paint. Two coats minimum,

Cut insulation panels from the one inch polystyrene foam.

OSCR Vtrmfculture Compost System

Cut 28 each, three inch square patches of fine mesh nylon screen to be used to cover vent holes.

Insert foam insulation panels in positions then mark where to cut the holes. Remove the foam insulation panels and cut or drill 1 inch holes through foam panels.

Using a staple gun and glue, attach screen patches to the inside surface of the bin, over each vent hole. See page 3-12.

22a) If you are going to install the sliding vent covers, insert the mounting screws from the inside at this time. See page 3-1 1.

Use glue and 1 114 inch sheetrock screws to secure insulation panels. The panels for the top surface are meant to be removable and should not be secured to anything.

Installing the pourable cement mix around the drain in the harvest chamber floor: Before mixing the cement, have several pieces of the scrap 518th~ plywood near by which can be used spacers. Place some spacer blocks under tie bin sothat the end opposite the drain is raised about 3 inches and the front edge is raised about 518 inch. This will cause the pourable cement to run toward the end with the drain and to the back comer. Before you pour, plug the drain with paper When you pour, the cement should spread completely across the end of the bin and extend out from the side wall to about the middle of the drain.

Thread the nylon cord through a hole from the outside, beginning on one of the back corners, lacing the cord back and forth until you exit from the hole on the opposite end of the back panel. At one end, double up the cord and use a cable clamp or tie a knot around a screw that won't slip through the hole. Pull the cord back through the holes until it is tight. Double up the cord and use a cable clamp or tie a knot around a screw that won't slip and secure the end to the back panel using fencing staples or screws. Seal the holes with paintable caulk to prevent moisture from leaking out of the bin.

Attach the hinged door panels to the front and top.

To get a bug proof seal on the doors install plastic neoprene weatherstrip on the door panels.

Top and front door latches: While applying enough pressure to create a seal on the weather strip, drill a 5116 hole through the 2x2s for the 1/4:20x4 112 bolts which will be used to secure the doors. If security is a problem use metal hasps. See page 3-13.

Mount the indoorloutdoor thermometer on the outer surface of the OSCR compost bin so that it will not receive direct sunlight, drill a hole in the side of the bin and feed the outdoor probe into the inside of the reactor chamber.

OSCR Vermiculture Compost System

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OSCl Vemnicultura Compost System

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OSCR Vermiculture Compost System

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OSCI Vermiculture Compost System

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OSCA Vermiculture Compost System

4 fool by 8 fod Y8 Inch. COX Plywood

OSCR Vermiculture Compost System

8 foot 2x4 Layout: - Required for structural support of OSCR Bin

Optional (but highly recommended) Heater Rack Support Bracket and Top Door Support Arms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........... . .~ ~

Optional Heater Rack

Optional Casting Screen Frame

OSCA Vormiculture Compost System

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OSCR Vermiculture Compost System

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OSCA Vermiculture Compost System

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O S C I Vermiculture Compost System

3 3 Optional, hut highly recommended, Heater Rack

Assembly Instructions

1) Cut framing pieces for rack framework as per drawings on page 3-14.

2) From the scrap 518th~ plywood cut 4 pieces 14 inches x 2 112inches. These will be used as comer braces on the top side of the frame.

3) From the scrap 518th~ plywood cut one inch wide strips, with two ships measuring 23 112 inches and two strips measuring 34 112 inches. They do not need to be all in one piece but should equal the lengths given.

4) Cut the 112 inch hardware cloth to size. (40 lL2 x 31 112) Then cut a one inch square from each comer and make a 90' fold with the remaining one inch wide section of the screen, along each of the four edges.

5 ) Attach the 2x2 framing pieces (2ea 40 114 & 2ea 31 114) together, offsetting the ends as shown in the diagram, with glue and a single two inch sheetrock screw on each comer. Remember to drill a pilot hole for the sheetrock screws.

6 ) Set the hardware cloth down inside the frame with the folded edges pointing up. Secure the folded edges to the inside of the frame with the one inch strips of 518th~ plywood and wood screws. The plywood strips should be about three inches from the comers of the 2x2 frame and flush with the top surface of the frame as you are working with it. The hardware cloth should be slightly raised above the lower edge of the fiame. It may sag in the middle later on but, on the two 31 114 inch ends it is important to have a smooth surface so the rack will easily slide in and out of the harvest chamber.

7) Lay the soil heat cable out on the hardware cloth as per the drawing. Secure it to the hardware cloth with 4 inch plastic cable ties. When securing the heat cable, keep in mind that the metal in the hardware cloth helps to distribute the heat away from the cable so you want as much contact between the cable and screen as possible.

8) Lay the 14 x 2 lL? strips of plywood diagonally across the comers, as shown in the drawings, so the inner most edge of the strip touches the outer edge of the frame. Mark a line along the part that hangs over, cut this piece off and secure the strip in place with glue and wood screws.

9) You need to cut a notch in the front of the OSCR bin for the heat cable power cord, in order to be able to close the door. The best place for the notch is right at the point where the harvest chamber door hinges to the front panel, on the side where the power cable emerges. A 112 inch notch will work well.

OSCR Varmiculturs Compost System

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OSCR Vermiculture Compost System

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OSCR Vermlculture Compost System

3.4 Optional Castings Screen

Assembly Instructions

1) Cut the 2x2 framing pieces as shown in the drawing on page 3-1 8.

2) Cut the 518th~ plywood as per the drawing on page 3-1 8.

3) Cut the 118th to 5164th~ screen to 29 x 29 inches.

4) Attach the 2x2 framework together using glue and a single two inch sheet rock screw at each corner.

5 ) Lay the screen squarely over the opening in the 2x2 frame and secure it using lots of staples Use a hammer to drive the staples flush into the 2x2 frame.

8) Lay the plywood on the 2x2 frame so the screen is between the plywood and the 2x2s. Secure the plywood to the 2x2 frame using wood screws.

OSCR Varmicultura Compost System

Castings Screen Frame: Bottom View

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29 x 29 Screen

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Castings Screen Frame: Side View