[NASH]

From 3x2 timber I was given, firstly should I treat the timber and second when I butt the timber together to make the sides should I leave a small gap say 1/4 inch between each side piece ?

[peterjf]

i would do 1"to 2" gaps top allow air flow, treat the timber with preserver, use a pallet as the base,

[Trillium]

You might find with given lumber that the gaps will appear all by themselves.  :happy:

[tode]

I use old bricks for the base of mine (the wood rotted away too quickly). Just arrnge em on the ground with 1 inch gaps, and put rough stuff down as the first layer. Keeps a good fow of air.

[NASH]

Thanks for replies everyone.

[Babstreefern]

My OH has made our compost bins with wood, but we've never put a base in .  The worms poke their little tiny heads and go straight into making compost .  I've had some gorgeous black compost from doing this :happy:

[noshed]

Use pallets for your compost bin. Use the wood for your cold frame. Werks fer me.

[Roll Roll]

I used the wooden collers that they put around the pallets to make mine.
You can stack them on top of each other, and take them off to turn the compost over.
Ideal.

[tode]

Got a pic of that, Roll ? Sounds handy.
Made mine about 1 metre x 1 metre (which is what G W advised), which is OK, but I find that its a real bind forking stuff out and back in again. Not enough room.