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Here is a neat way to build your own compost tumbler without it being too complicated. I actually have an empty trash bin that we don't use and plan on building something similar to this.

When mine is completed I will post photos and instructions.

Until then, click on the photo to view photos, instructions, and a list of materials you will need. Pretty ingenious.

Most compost bins have some basic draw-backs that make urban composting a pain:
They're expensive, they're not portable, aerating the compost is difficult, there's no way to separate the composted material from the non-composted material.

I recently made a second (and I believe, successful) attempt at making the ideal urban compost bin.

Here's a diagram of what I've envisioned. Basically, it's a large trash can with a rotating cylinder in the top part and a hinged door at the bottom. The top cylinder has slits in it every few inches and is covered with steel mesh screening to allow fine compost to drop through to the bottom container.

The basic materials are:
1 - large (approx. 96 gal.) trash can with wheels
1 - medium sized (approx. 32 gal.) round trash can
1 - threaded 24 inch section of 1/2" steel pipe
2 - threaded 6 inch sections of 1/2" steel pipe
2 - 1/2" steel pipe flanges
1 - 3 foot section of 1/4" rebar
2 - 12 inch sections of 1" steel tubing
2 - 3 inch steel hinges
2 - steel chest hasps
6' - 1/4" steel mesh screen
14' - 1/2" PVC pipe

I also used misc. things like drywall screws and wire as well.

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