Automatic Compost/Soil Sifter

Homemade compost sifter built using a cheap jigsaw. Small, transportable, and for a quick fix it does a nice job. Watch out for version 2 that'll at least be a little tidier :)

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• Compost
• soil
• sifter
• sieve
• screen

[IdahoViewing]

How long do you think the saw motor will last?

[Victoire71]

@IdahoViewing It's running at the slowest speed possible with (generally) minimal load so I'm thinking the brushes (at least) should last for many years yet. The saw was only a sub $25 cheapy so given the work it's done over the past 3-4 years it doesn't owe anything now :-)

[michelebroder]

I copied your design but attached a piece of wood to the screen and then the jigsaw blade to the piece of wood. It worked great for a while but then the screen broke. I was using 1/4" hardware cloth. I fixed it and it happened again. I imagined you might run into the same thing with the tomato wire attachment. Do you? Any ideas for making the screen stronger, or rigging it so it's less prone to breaking? I was thinking about using expanded lath. Thoughts?

[Victoire71]

You could try laying another sheet of hardware cloth under your existing one to add a little more strength across the whole screen. That's what I found worked with mine as I found one sheet was too flimsey.

Yeah, tomatoe wire does break easily but was the only thing I had on hand at the time. Now I use single core electrical wire - never breaks :D!

Brb, soz for taking so long to reply. Bug in posting for some of us since they changed the format :-\

[tklingensmith13]

that looks awesome but what did u use for the bottom of the jigsaw because wouldn't a jigsaw blade go through the chicken wire

[Victoire71]

I replaced the blade with some tomato wire that I had on hand and threaded it through the sifting mesh. Crude, but it works.

[deasttn]

@michelebroder

Might want to build a lightweight frame to hold the wire mesh and attach the saw blade to the frame. Then, the complete frame moves up and down and not just the mesh (less movement of the mesh ought to mean less breakage).

Another idea is to attach the jigsaw horizontally so it moves the screen frame horizontally instead of vertically. You could then support most of the weight of the screen n dirt with some wheels or rollers.

[jmercer1820]

The great thing about this idea is all the energy goes into just moving the screen wire, instead of the heavy screen frame as well (like all other designs I have seen).

And it is simple and easy to build.

I have been looking to make a soil screener and just happened to find a jigsaw in a kerbside thowout.

Only one speed though - this could be a problem.

[BHAF4163]

That's an awesome idea!!!!!

[mrbluenun]

@ColonelVandal

Hi ColonelVandal,................ I wanted to say "Lateral thinking" but couldn't remember the phrase! LOL!

Could also do the same thing with a kitchen cake mixer motor which might already have the offset to enable it? And might last longer? Jost a thought.

mrbluenun

[mrbluenun]

@ColonelVandal

Hi ColonelVandal,................ I wanted to say "Lateral thinking" but couldn't remember the phrase! LOL!

mrbluenun

[mrbluenun]

the spider-web bit to be fixed firmly to the bottom screen and or top one really, with the centre having a bolt and eye which the jigsaw is attached to, with half a dozen big wide washers between the two screens!

But you have out a basically easy design to copy and modify, well done!

mrbluenun

[mrbluenun]

Hi Victoire71,

Firstly, can you tell me if your name is 'case-sensitive' please?

I really like this idea and it moves well away from the side to side motion which is normal. It allows for so many variations other than the way you attached to the screen. Well done!

I think you could perhaps make it last longer by using another screen of the same mesh underneath the top one leaving just a small gap between the two, but have the underneath one strengthened like a spider-wed with metal or wood> >