Top dressing
The composter lid has two parts: an outer, screened double frame and an inner lid that sits within it. Start by joining the top and bottom members together into two frames using weatherproof glue and biscuits or dowels. Next, stretch and staple the hardware cloth to the top surface of bottom frame. Place the smaller frame on top, then clamp the assembly together before joining the two frames with 2" screws driven from underneath.
The removable portion of the lid is simply five pieces of wood laid edge to edge and joined into one unit with two top cleats screwed 2" from the lid slat ends. Attach four butterfly closers to the top of the frame to hold the lid in place, a chain to stop the lid from flopping back too far when open, and hinges.
Occasionally you'll want to remove the lid to screen finished compost into a wheelbarrow or a bucket. Remove the hinge pin by grinding off one end and replace it with a large spring pin'a kind of removable cotter pin you can get at hardware stores. Now when you want to move the screen, just pull the pins out.
Once you've screened out any pieces that haven't composted completely, you'll have struck gold: pure, black, garden gold.
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