Building A Small Coal Bin

 
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JKinPA
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Post by JKinPA » Sat. Jul. 12, 2008 3:24 pm

Ok great! thank you


 
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traderfjp
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Post by traderfjp » Sun. Jul. 13, 2008 7:51 am

Unless you have a coal bin bagged coal isn't that much more expensive when you figure in the costs and hassles of building a coal bin. RIght now bagged by the truck is going for 190 a ton.

 
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Post by n3twrkm4n » Sun. Jul. 13, 2008 9:28 am

Not sure if you thought of using a galvanized stock tank, Many places have large ones that will hold about 60 cubic feet which is more than a ton of coal. Since the stock tanks are designed for outdoor use it should hold up well enough and is probably much lighter than any wood structure, so if you wanted to move it you could. I'd stay away from the plastic. A 3' x 2' x 10' would hold 60 cubic feet, and the tank 'only' weighs 120 pounds.

Examples:
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nuthead
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Post by nuthead » Sun. Jul. 20, 2008 4:54 am

use plywood cut the 4x8 sheets in 1/2 (4/2) use those for the sides and use a 4x8 for the bottom. use those green steel snow fence steaks (get them at your local home dump/home depot) cut those in 1/2 and pound them on the sides for support I use 4 steaks on the long side and 2 on the short side and thow a tarp on the top of the bin. my bin is in a corner of my deck and I use that as support, I get 2 tons a yr and it fills up my plus about 700lbs on the outside, if you get a big enough tarp your plywood will not get wet, I also use 2 pallets and scew the bottom 4x8 ply wood. material cost about $25 and you can use every yr.

 
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JKinPA
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Post by JKinPA » Sun. Jul. 20, 2008 5:48 pm

I'm going to go with the basement install. Depending on which is cheeper I'll go with either 3/4" MDF or Plywood.

 
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JKinPA
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Post by JKinPA » Fri. Aug. 29, 2008 4:59 pm

I am building a coal bin in my basement. I will be using an old window (32" X 12") as my delivery chute.

The Bin will be 8w X 4d X 7h two of the walls will be foundations walls.

If I use 2 X 4 X 8 studs spaced 16" on center and glue and screw that plywood can I use 1/2" Plywood with out issue?

Can I use 3/4" OSB?

The chute will be 6 and a half feet from the floor of the bin. When the coal is delievered (Rice Size) how forcefully does it come out of the chute will it hit the opposite wall (4 feet away) over the 4 foot mark? I was wondering if I could get away with only going with a 4 foot high wall on the 8 fot spance.

As far as quality of coal what questions should I ask...I have heard and seen that it does not matter where you get your coal and that it matters a great deal where you get your coal. How do I know I'm getting the best coal and what is the difference?

I'm sorry for all the questions but I have been out of work for over a month with knee problems and I want to spend my money as best I can.

Thank You So much!
Joe

 
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Adamiscold
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Post by Adamiscold » Sat. Aug. 30, 2008 7:51 am

I think 16" on center, glue and screw with 1/2" Plywood would be fine. I would stay away from the OSB board it likes to act like a sponge when it gets wet. You see roofers putting it up on new homes and I just cringe.


 
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JKinPA
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Post by JKinPA » Sat. Aug. 30, 2008 12:37 pm

Thanks Adam,

I've been held up in building this because of my knee but want to get started very soon.

 
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Richard S.
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Post by Richard S. » Sat. Aug. 30, 2008 12:40 pm

JKinPA wrote:
If I use 2 X 4 X 8 studs spaced 16" on center and glue and screw that plywood can I use 1/2" Plywood with out issue?
Shouldn't be much of problem, I've see many bins made of them.
Can I use 3/4" OSB?
You can but I'd avoid it, especially if you have a damp basement. If you do make sure you paint it.
The chute will be 6 and a half feet from the floor of the bin. When the coal is delievered (Rice Size) how forcefully does it come out of the chute will it hit the opposite wall (4 feet away) over the 4 foot mark? I was wondering if I could get away with only going with a 4 foot high wall on the 8 fot spance.
Most likely it won't. If you are getting this delivered by someone with a coal truck just leave the window, nothing else needed and anything else you put there will hinder the coal guys delivery. I'd suggest building from floor to ceiling. this will increase the strength of that wall. Plus if you're getting it delivered the guy can chute it into the bin on purpose and no one has to shovel back from the window.
As far as quality of coal what questions should I ask...I have heard and seen that it does not matter where you get your coal and that it matters a great deal where you get your coal. How do I know I'm getting the best coal and what is the difference?
For some opinions you can use the search feature, there is also this thread stickied in the discussion forum: Coal Quality From Various Sources

Every brand and breaker must have been discussed by now. If you're getting it delivered find a reputable dealer with a long history. Let him deal with the quality issues. ;)

 
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JKinPA
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Post by JKinPA » Wed. Sep. 10, 2008 9:42 am

Thank you to all who responded here...I have started the bin and hope to be done by this weekend and place my order for 3 tons of coal next week.

I did tie it into the floor joists so we should be good.

I will post Pics when I'm completed.

Thank you again!
Joe

 
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e.alleg
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Post by e.alleg » Sat. Sep. 13, 2008 1:56 pm

Maybe a little late but I would look into buying rough cut wood from a sawmill. I just bought some 2x12x8' planks for $7 each. Price a 2x12x8' at Home Depot :shock: twice as much. They are rough cut which means a full 2" thick and strong as heck, the only trouble they aren't kiln dried so they will shrink some and are heavy.

 
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cArNaGe
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Post by cArNaGe » Sat. Sep. 13, 2008 2:02 pm

Thats how I'm rolling. Besides my whole house is built out of rough cut.

 
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JKinPA
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Post by JKinPA » Sat. Sep. 27, 2008 9:46 am

Ok I've got the bin built and recieved my delivery (3 Ton) When does the water stop leaking out? It isn't leaking fast but the volume is a bit concerning.

My wife said that when they delivered the coal before loading into my bin they dumped the water probably about 25 gallons, and it was being delivered in the rain.

I'm planning on sealing the whole thing tight after I'm through this load, but in general how long do they leak for?

Also do they weigh it wet or dry...I guess the question is how much water did I pay for?

Thanks
Joe

 
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gambler
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Post by gambler » Sat. Sep. 27, 2008 5:19 pm

Last year I was shoveling my coal into the bin in an all day downpour and it took several weeks before my bin quit draining water onto the floor. My coal chute looked like a small waterfall. It was the only day that I had to "git er dun"

 
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JKinPA
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Post by JKinPA » Fri. Oct. 03, 2008 3:09 pm

Coal bin 2.JPG

Coal bin Picture two

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Coal Bin 3.JPG

Coal Bin Picture three

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Coal Bin 4.JPG

Coal Bin Picture four

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Coal Bin 1.JPG

Coal bin Picture one

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Finally have pictures of the coal bin I built in my basement. The first picture shows the small sliding pour door I made. The hole is aprox 7" round and it works great! After this years coal is gone I will make a small modification to the frame. By keeping it @ 90 degrees tot eh sliding door the coal build up a bit. I'll angle that down to avoid the problem. I have also placed a stop block abofe the door so yo can't slid it out.

The second shot shows the dutch door I put on it. This allows access to teh inside of the bin with out having to open the door and get coal all over my shop. The idea here is that I will have room to shovel or push the coal toward the pour door. Eventually as the coal gets lower I will just walk in and shovel.

The third picture shows the 3 ton of coal I just got. in the upper left corner of this photo you can see the loading door. I just took the basement window out and greated a plywood door.

The fourth picture is a shot of both doors closed.

The bin is 4' X 8' X 7'. My coal guy said he could get another ton in there easy.

Thank you to all who helped me here I couldn't have done it with out you all!

JKINPA


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