March 17, 2012 | #31 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Tennessee
Posts: 285
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Of course, free is always good if you know what you're getting is suitable for your purpose. Here we have a company that is all they do, clean and re-sell barrels and drums of all types, cardboard, plastic, steel. I have bought several from them. They are always surprised when it fits the trunk of the car, lol. 36 " wide and the drum is like 35 1/2. Bungee cord the trunk lid, good to go.
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April 26, 2012 | #32 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Eastern Suburb of Sacramento, CA
Posts: 1,313
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Now were talking
I was perusing Craigslist the other day and I came across a local winery that were trying to unload used 55-gallon food grade wine barrels. They were asking $10 each, so I thought heck why not. I got them to deliver 20 barrels for a additional $50. So I now have 20 large 55-gal clear/white food grade barrels. Next I need to find a way to evenly cut them in half, fill up, and now Ive got a place to put all those extra tomato seedlings!!
I think $6.50 for a sturdy (albeit ugly) 20+ gal container isn't too bad. |
April 27, 2012 | #33 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Santa Clara CA
Posts: 1,125
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They look very similar to the water softener barrels I was suggesting earlier. By the way HD has 99 cent spray paint cans.
Damon |
April 27, 2012 | #34 | |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Mississippi
Posts: 177
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April 27, 2012 | #35 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Durhamville,NY
Posts: 2,706
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To cut them in half evenly I'd use a table saw if I had access to one. I'd build a jig by taking two boards a little longer than the barrel. Attach spacer blocks at the ends so that the barrel would set just a speck off the table, then fasten the whole thing to the table saw. Put a barrel in this cradle. You and a friend should be able to slowly turn the drum and cut it in half evenly.
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April 27, 2012 | #36 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Homestead,Everglades City Fl.
Posts: 2,492
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Magic marker hash marks half way point.Sawzall with fine tooth,keep guide on surface at all times.Do not go to fast it will get away from you.Start cut made with circular saw enough only to insert sawzall blade.Careful with circular saw for kick back.Set circular saw only 1/4 inch deep place plate of saw on surface then gently move saw down to make start cut.Make sure barrel is on table up against a wall .Start at top and pull sawzall down,stop and turn barrel up.Wear mask and do not rush.Another person to help turn barrel and stabilize.For drain hole a hole saw with drill,do not force caus drill will catch and twist and possible pilot bit break.Eye protection always with power tools!
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April 27, 2012 | #37 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Eastern Suburb of Sacramento, CA
Posts: 1,313
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Kurt, Doug thanks for the tips. I was going to the same kind of places in my mind already. I don't have help, so this will be a one man adventure. I also don't have a Sawzall, though perhaps now is a good time to grab one. I do have a cheapo Jig Saw, so maybe I'll try that first. This is going to take some time and effort I can see.
-n |
April 27, 2012 | #38 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Western WI
Posts: 359
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I have used a jig saw on these type of barrels and it worked fine. NIce find...Good luck!
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April 27, 2012 | #39 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Eastern Suburb of Sacramento, CA
Posts: 1,313
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Realizing how crummy a job my Jig Saw did building Raybo's InnTainers, I decided to head over to H.D. and grab a Millwakee 12A basic Sawzall. I was able to get them to match the $99- Amazon deal, so I feel OK about the price. That tool felt amazingly well built -- impressive for the price. I also grabbed a can of primer and walnut brown colored spray paint. I'm sad to say those were $4 each. The .99c cans come only in black and white.
You can see the difference the paint makes in the pics I attached. Again, sadly, two cans ($ only barrel covered one barrel. So that means the paint cost nearly as much as the barrel. That's not going to work for me. I need to find a cheaper alternative. Heck, I don't even know how well this paints going to hold up outside. Anyway, thanks for all the help and suggestions through this thread! -naysen |
April 28, 2012 | #40 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Homestead,Everglades City Fl.
Posts: 2,492
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I have myself a Milwakee sawzall.Since I have a lot of trees it works great for trimming branches.There are some blades you can get for tree trimming.No more chainsawing.Black asphalt liquid roll on might be a cheaper choice for a covering on barrels.That stuff sticks to anything.
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April 28, 2012 | #41 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Tucson
Posts: 659
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Nayson, you can get some of that bamboo curtain stuff and make cute "bamboo" barrels by wrapping it around the tubs. That wouldn't be an eyesore, but then again I don't think anything to do with gardening can be an "eyesore".
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April 28, 2012 | #42 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Metro Detroit, Michigan
Posts: 1,051
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Looks great. I'm shopping for barrels this weekend.
There is s spray paint that bonds to plastic called Fusion by Krylon. It would eliminate the primer step. I think HD has it |
April 28, 2012 | #43 | |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Eastern Suburb of Sacramento, CA
Posts: 1,313
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April 28, 2012 | #44 | |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Eastern Suburb of Sacramento, CA
Posts: 1,313
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Thanks, Naysen |
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April 28, 2012 | #45 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Eastern Suburb of Sacramento, CA
Posts: 1,313
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Thanks Nancy. I'll keep an eye out. I'm going to shop around a bit today (Walmart, 0.99c store, Ace, Osh, Lowes, etc.) and see if I can find a better price on spray paint. There's gotta be something better than $8 a barrel. Good luck searching out those barrels.
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