View Storing Coal
The PDF enclosed is from Home Heating with Coal, a book by Steve Sherman which appears to be out of print.
Also, here is a description of building a coal bin submitted by Ken Rajesky
Building a Coal Bin:
This particular drawing is for a two-ton bin, but reduced proportionately, you can get the idea of design & construction. The material used is 1/2” to 3/4” plywood, and 2” x 4” boards. Leaving a “channel” on one end to remove the end panel for cleaning isn’t a bad idea either. For a 2 ton size, the specs. call for a length of 97.5”, width: 62”, height: 28”.
For a 1/2 ton size with room to shovel and clean, I would go 36” in length, 24” width, and keep the height at 28”. You may disagree thinking it’s too large, but better to be a little more than not enough.
You’ll need (2) 4×8 sheets of plywood, (3) 2×4’s, (4) 2×2 balusters, and screws.
I would lay (4) 24” 2×4’s down on the floor, one on each end, and the remaining two spaced 11” apart. Screw the bottom of vertical 2×4’s (28” high) into the horizontal 2×4’s. Cut your plywood sides & ends, and screw the sides to the vertical 2×4’s. Then, cap the end with screws, overlapping the end 2×4’s. At the other end, buy (4) 2×2 balusters used for deck railings. Cut them at 28” high. Drill pilot holes, and screw one at each end (at the open end side) into the plywood & 2×4. Now, measure a space a little wider than the plywood you are using, and screw in the other two 2×2’s. This now forms a channel so that the last remaining plywood end will slide into to allow to you remove for cleaning. If your storage area is damp, a little application of Thompson’s is helpful for long term durability.
Categories: