metal worm composting bin

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Maybe a bit of an off track project.Basically a bin where you feed green leftovers etc to worms / compost fallsbelow with help of some paddles. Ideally it should have an inside and outsidewall with insulation between for hot summer and cold winter weather.It would be about the size of this one :http://vermicomposters.ning.com/prof...rough-worm-binbut wider and more funnel shaped and include some paddles at the bottom for removing thecompost like some of these industrial ones:http://www.roperld.com/science/vermi...rmiculture.htmMy stumbling block is corrosion. I can't find any hot dipped galvanized sheet - the onlyother options I can think of are stainless or some sort of plasticrivetted to cold galvanized  sheet - any ideas/pointers ?
Reply:1st I know nothing about worms other than running a hook through them but I ask why do you feel that mild steel will not last a reasonable amount of time?  I consider what you have similar to manure and overall not too much manure handling equipment is galv or ss.  the cost outweighs the benefits.   The other thing to think about is how much oxygen will be seeing the parts inside that are submerged?  likely not much unless your stirring this thing often, it takes oxygen to rust, I know some will but I have to think the composting action would keep oxy levels down.
Reply:a good quality paint or powder coating should be able to make it last a long time with mild steel. like it was said above. it takes oxygen to rust. You're not throwing rocks and branches into a composter so there shouldn't be anything hard enought to scratch/chip the paint. It should last a long time.There are no problems. There are only solutions. It's your duty to determine the right one.Hobart Handler 210Airco 225 Amp MSM Stinger
Reply:Originally Posted by vjekoMaybe a bit of an off track project.Basically a bin where you feed green leftovers etc to worms / compost fallsbelow with help of some paddles. Ideally it should have an inside and outsidewall with insulation between for hot summer and cold winter weather.It would be about the size of this one :http://vermicomposters.ning.com/prof...rough-worm-binbut wider and more funnel shaped and include some paddles at the bottom for removing thecompost like some of these industrial ones:http://www.roperld.com/science/vermi...rmiculture.htmMy stumbling block is corrosion. I can't find any hot dipped galvanized sheet - the onlyother options I can think of are stainless or some sort of plasticrivetted to cold galvanized  sheet - any ideas/pointers ?
Reply:OK -thanks for your thoughts  ! - now back to the drawing board / scrap yard.I was considering the plastic bins but I'd like a wider top / more compost/weight etc.and stronger construction for the paddles and overall, so I'm just not satisfiedwith using a plastic bin.
Reply:I used a galvanized water trough you get from the feed store.  they make plastic ones as well.  I used them from red wigglers and night crawlers.
Reply:Gas water heaters have a glass lining. You might try getting a large (100-150 gallon) one that had been replaced by some plumbing/water heater company and modify it for your purpose. If the lining is still fairly good, only the cut or new areas would need to be protected; if it's already corroding, than consider sandblasting it all and coating with a rubber material, perhaps a rubber truck bed lining material like Rhinoshield. I've used a "scrounged" urethane product but had to find an appropriate thinner, then gave the outside a coating of a rubber-based Pool paint to prevent UV degregation.At least the old tanks are free, even if the other materials needed aren't.
Reply:Thanks again for all the input - will check it out.Few more questions before I hit the scrapyard and decide on a design:(a)How do you think normal galvanized sheet or alu sheet would hold up in compost/manure ?(b)In case I decided to use a 200l plastic or metal with food grade paint drum (saw themcheap on the web), could I get a suggestion on how I could re-inforce the drumand include the "paddles" (it's going to be sitting on a mobile base ) - here'san example of someone who tried it without reinfocement/welding etc. to givean idea of what I'm after:http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/l...4524247.html?8