I have trouble believing that it is true but even so. I actually got complaints that the pictures were to small. CLICK ON THE PICTURES TO MAKE THEM BIGGER. This is true for about 99% of the websites out there. They are called "thumbnails". It allows website to load faster. Ok now on with the article.

To start with cut out the pieces you will need for the bin itself. I needed ten pieces for mine.

 

 

 

Then line them up and glue in place. I used some pieces to help keep the height I needed to keep the alignment properly. That's why they look askew.

 


Once the glue has dried add the other pieces and glue in place and let it all dry.

Now you can add the sides of the bin. I added the straight pieces first and let the glue dry so that it becomes strong.

I used a speed square to cut the ends of the next pieces. Because I had a 45 degree angle on mine I was able to use this tool. However if you use a 30 or 60 degree angle you can use one of those angle plastic things in math sets we use to use in school. This will ensure a perfect fit.

I didn't worry about the length right off. Instead I added each piece, marked where it should be cut then cut the piece and glued it in place. I did this for each piece.

 

One end done.

The bin sides completed. 

I then cut out all the pieces for the bottom of the bin. I notched each piece. I put these aside for later except for two pieces I used when adding the legs and cross pieces. I needed eight pieces in total.

I next added the legs to the bin. I clamped it all and waited for the glue to dry.



 

 

Bottom pieces of bin started.

I next added the remaining bottom pieces. I spaced them about a scale foot apart using a piece of 1/4 inch wood as a guide. The two middle pieces didn't quite make it to 1 foot apart but that's ok.

Lay a bead of glue to the bin sides to prepare for the wooden front and later the back.

I added wood to the front leaving room for a four foot opening for the chute. I actually used four pieces of wood to make sure that the opening would be correct RATHER then measuring it because of the way the bottom angles. As you see here I simply used the boards I would add as a filler to measure the distance properly.

I now glued the front boards in place having measured and checked the right distances for them.

 

Front mostly done now.

Now that the whole structure was more stable I added the floor to the bin. Starting in the front and working backwards.




View from underneath.

Add glue to bin sides for back.


Add the wood and don't forget to leave a space for the hole near the top. I made mine four feet.

I next added the smaller pieces for the front and back openings. I added glue on the edges of the pieces and just placed them in place. They held very well. I let them dry a couple of minutes each before going to the next one. I also cut them so they left an opening four feet wide as well.











As you can see I added a piece across the top so that the hole is just below the upper most top of the bin. It is a scale foot.


I added the roof struts next. As you can see I made mine extra long to act as a shield for the men below. Most people will want to make theirs shorter which is fine.

If you look at the top you can see how I angled the roof pieces to conform to the line of the bin.



Added the front cross piece that will have hardware added as soon as I get the parts.

Close up of cross piece with nut and bolt detail added as well. The details like that really are worth it I think.

Now add the "X" bracing to the legs.

I then added the side cross pieces. Also with nut and bolt details added.

Well that's it for this page. Here is the link to PART TWO of the coal tower.


For the scanned "blueprint" you can go here.