How to Build Small Rotary Dirt Sifters
- 1). Place treated 3/4-inch plywood flat onto sawhorses. Determine the size of your rotary tumbler -- generally 3 to 4 feet. Tie a loop in the end of nylon string. Extend the string half the distance of the tumbler. For example, if your tumbler will be 4 feet in diameter, then extend the string 2 feet and tie another loop there, as well.
- 2). Place a screw into the plywood and loop one end of the string onto the screw. Place a pencil in the other end of the string, and draw a circle onto the plywood. Draw four circles in total.
- 3). Cut the circles out with a jigsaw. Cut slowly and stay just to the outside of the pencil line. Wear a dust mask and eye goggles to protect your eyes and lungs from treated dust.
- 4). Align and attach two circles together. Place wood glue on the wood, align them and insert 1 1/4-inch wood screws to secure them together.
- 5). Measure from the outside of the circles to the center 24 inches and place a mark on both sides of each circle, which represents the center of a 48-inch circle.
- 6). Cut a treated 4-by-4 4 feet long. Attach the circles to each end of the treated 4-by-4, aligning the post with the center marks on the circles. Insert four 3-inch wood screws through the circles and into the post.
- 7). Attach two treated 2-by-4s between the circles, perpendicular with the center post but to the outside edges. Space them 24 inches apart. Place the flat surface of the 2-by-4 in relation to the outside edge of the circles, and attach them with 3-inch wood screws.
- 8). Wrap the frame with 1/4-inch wire. Place no screws at the section between the 2-by-4s. However, extend the wire over the section as though you are covering the section.
- 9). Cut two treated pieces of 3/4-inch plywood 5 feet tall and 4 feet wide. Attach one 4-foot treated 4-by-4 post at each corner with 3-inch wood screws. The posts will represent the top and bottom of the box. Place the box with the 5-foot length facing up. Measure from the sides 24 inches on the left and right of the box and place a pencil mark 4 inches down from the top edge.
- 10
Drill 1/2-inch holes through the plywood. Place the circular sifting basket between the plywood box, and insert 4-inch lag bolts (3/8-inch in diameter) through the holes and into the centers of plywood circles. Place rubber straps on the wire to pull the wire door tightly closed. When filling the basket, remove the rubber straps, fill the basket full, and replace the straps, closing the wire securely. Turn the basket to sift the dirt.
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