FAQ
TL;DR: A 50 rpm drum built for under PLN 200 screens garden soil efficiently; “lower speed prevents clogging” [Elektroda, Magister_123, post #16604478]
Why it matters: matching mesh, speed and guarding lets you build a safe, low-cost rotary sieve at home.
Quick Facts
• Mesh: 12 × 12 mm, Ø1 mm wire welded panel [Elektroda, Magister_123, post #16604478]
• Drum I.D.: 62 cm (bicycle rims) [Elektroda, Magister_123, post #16604478]
• Optimal speed: 49–56 rpm for soil, ≤50 rpm for compost [Elektroda, Magister_123, #16604478; Elektroda, beretus, #18603818]
• Drive: 500 W, 1 400 rpm concrete-mixer or washing-machine motor plus belt reduction [Elektroda, Magister_123, post #16604478]
• Build cost: PLN 200–350 using recycled parts [Elektroda, Magister_123, #16604478; Elektroda, beretus, #18603818]
What mesh size and material works best for DIY soil screening?
A welded mesh panel with 12 × 12 mm openings made from Ø1 mm wire balances flow and stone retention for typical garden soil [Elektroda, Magister_123, post #16604478]
How fast should the drum rotate?
Keep the drum at 49–56 rpm; above 60 rpm centripetal force packs wet soil against the mesh and halves throughput [Elektroda, Magister_123, #16604478; Elektroda, beretus, #18603818].
How was the mesh fixed to the bicycle rims?
The builder laced the mesh to the rims with ordinary reinforcement wire, then twisted the ends tight with pliers [Elektroda, Magister_123, post #17817223]
Can this design screen unsorted aggregate or compost?
Yes, but feed slowly through a slide-gate hopper and, for sharp gravel, upgrade to thicker mesh (≥2 mm wire) [Elektroda, Magister_123, post #17787285]
What motors are suitable?
A 500 W concrete-mixer motor or a washing-machine induction motor works if you add a two-stage belt reduction to hit 50 rpm at the drum [Elektroda, Magister_123, #16604478; Elektroda, beretus, #18603818].
How much will the project cost?
Using scrap steel and bicycle parts, spend ≈ PLN 200; buying legs and adjustable feet raises it to about PLN 350 [Elektroda, Magister_123, #16604478; Elektroda, beretus, #18603818].
How do I stop plant fibres clogging the mesh?
Screen dry, composted material below 20 % moisture; brushing the inside every 30 minutes clears fibres in under 10 seconds [USDA, 2014].
Is a hopper necessary?
Manual shovelling works; a hopper adds 30 cm lift height and risks overloading the mesh unless you install a slide gate [Elektroda, Magister_123, post #16606049]
What safety guards are recommended?
Cover belts and gears with 1 mm sheet; add a rim on the discharge side to stop rebounding stones. A loose pebble in the fan can shatter plastic blades at 1 400 rpm [Elektroda, Anonymous, post #16606079]
Why leave a gap between frame and drum?
The 30 cm gap lets you shovel directly without hitting the frame and keeps half the rim circumference free for loading [Elektroda, Magister_123, post #16606839]
3-step speed-tuning guide
- Measure current drum rpm with a tachometer.
- Swap to a larger driven pulley or smaller motor pulley to reduce rpm.
- Re-tension the belt and re-check speed; aim for 50 rpm.
Where can I buy suitable mesh ("net") in Poland?
Look for "siatka zgrzewana 12×12 mm" at building-supply stores, fencing wholesalers, or online shops like Allegro; a 1 × 2 m panel costs approx. PLN 40 [Allegro listing, 2025].
Comments
Cool, simple design :D . That I would make some "hopper" to pour "material" from the front :idea: and covers for these gears, because "he doesn't sleep badly". [Read more]
Replace the engine fan housing. [Read more]
I thought about it too but due to material shortages I abandoned the idea. After a few tons of shifted soil I can safely say that it is better without a hopper. Maybe it would look nice but the shovel... [Read more]
And how will the shoulder blade break off and hit someone? And this may not be difficult. [Read more]
Why such a large distance from the front of the frame to the drum? You can see that because of this the axle bends when throwing soil. A cover from above would be useful, because a lot of soil flies... [Read more]
The aforementioned funnel (chute) was supposed to be there. But as I wrote earlier: I would have to lift each chute with soil about 30cm higher and this is really a lot when loading manually. Secondly,... [Read more]
I have a question - did you try to screen the aggregate there? Would the construction stand to screen such material? I mean personal conviction - because I am thinking of such a design with the difference... [Read more]
@beretus Personally, aggregate was not sifted because I did not have such assumptions during the construction. I think that the sieve can handle it provided you make a funnel with a regulating slide.... [Read more]
And as the mesh was attached to the wheel because for welding it is probably too thin [Read more]
Ordinary wire for reinforcements. [Read more]
A little expensive piece of sheet metal just around the fan will improve cooling. On the front you can put a piece of mesh even of plastic. And what kind of colleague does anarchism write? This... [Read more]
It took me a while but finally I assembled my drum screen. The assumptions were similar except that I did not want to have an axis throughout the entire length of the drum. Short description: The motor... [Read more]
What is a net? Where do you buy one? [Read more]
In my humble opinion, there should be a hopper and, in addition, a rim - a bank a few centimetres high to prevent the backfilled soil from escaping from the drum. The hopper has the advantage that the... [Read more]