Daniel Prince wrote:
I am going to build a compost sifter. It will be a shallow box
three feet long and two feet wide with wooden sides and a hardware
cloth bottom. I bought two five foot long, five inch wide, redwood
fence boards for the sides. I have a circular saw.

I used 2x4s, which probably gives a stronger joint. Leave stubs on the ends so
two people can lift it easily, for shaking or moving, thus butt joints. The
sifting area should be slightly smaller than your wheelbarrow.


Should I miter the ends of the sides, or would a butt joint be
adequate? Should I use steel corner reinforcements? Should I put
the hardware cloth on the outside of the frame or on the inside?

Wrapping the cloth up the outsides an inch or two will make a much stronger
attachment. Store it out of the rain and off the ground, and it will last
forever.