Coalpail.com Forum

Hey guys, just fishing for some advice. I'm looking to purchase my coal supply for this winter. I don't have a coal bin so I usually get bagged coal. I was thinking about building a coal bin this year to hold 4 tons of coal. Lumber is a bit pricey nowadays. A friend suggested 3/4" plywood, however at $45 a sheet there are plenty of cheaper options. I'm just not sure if they would hold up under a 4 ton load of coal. The advantage of getting bagged coal is I could store the bags in my garage and never have to go outside. On the other hand with a price difference of $50 between bagged and loose I would be saving $200 on 4 tons of loose coal. If I decide to build a bin how thick should the plywood be...any suggestions?

I've used 1/2 plywood on the inside of my bin that holds 9 ton with no problem.

Wiz wrote:I've used 1/2 plywood on the inside of my bin that holds 9 ton with no problem.

Thanks wiz. The price difference between 1/2" and 3/4" is pretty big. Good to know 1/2" is sufficient. Did you put the plywood on the outside or inside of the bin? I was thinking of putting the plywood on the inside of the bin and rest it against the 2x4's to give it added strength. Only problem is the bin is going to be outside and you would see the 2x4's! I've looked through the coal bin pic forum thousands of times trying to get ideas but it seems every bin is different.

My bin in the basement has the OSB sheets on the inside of the bin like you describe. I think it's necessary for strength. Then I bolted a 2 x 4 across the bottom to concrete and then secured the vertical 2 x 4's to the floor joists on the ceiling.

tcalo wrote:Only problem is the bin is going to be outside and you would see the 2x4's!

I always recommend on the inside especially id the bin is outside. Here's an image I did a while ago I'll dust off. from the original bin that was in the old house. The new one is just mounted directly to the floor with concrete anchors. 1/2 pressure treated inside and 1/2 OSB on the outside walls.

Thank you Richard. My only fear about putting 2 layers of wood is flying insects building nests inbetween the 2 boards!

tcalo wrote:Thank you Richard. My only fear about putting 2 layers of wood is flying insects building nests inbetween the 2 boards!

Well mine is inside the garage, the OSB goes right to the ceiling and it has a door. It's completely sealed off. I wouldn't do that outside. I'd just just use 3/4 on the inside.

FYI the pressure treat is not really necessary, if anything I'd only use it on the floor and the bottom plate for the walls. Just make sure it's not sitting on the ground. I don't know if it was mentioned but a 4*8*8 bin will hold about 3 ton.

Pressure treated will be necessary in my basement ....

If I ever build one. First, I've got to get that damn boiler down the basement in order to burn anything in it!

Rough cut 2x6 and 2x4's sitten on 4 pressure treated 4x4's. throw some siding and shingles on 'er and whammo 5 ton bin that serves the purpose and doesn't look like a dogs breakfast.

SMITTY wrote:Pressure treated will be necessary in my basement ....

The only thing I would recommend for your basement is concrete pier and kayak to get to it.

I recently filled my bin with 6.1 tons of nut size white ash. It's sized slightly on the big side with very little fines. After some careful measuring I found it occupies between 33 - 34 cubic feet per ton. For bin sizing I would estimate 35 cubic feet per ton to allow for variable density.

Lightning wrote: After some careful measuring I found it occupies between 33 - 34 cubic feet per ton. For bin sizing I would estimate 35 cubic feet per ton to allow for variable density.

I always recommend 40, keep in mind rice takes up a lot more room than nut.

Right on partner! 40 cubic could give ya a little more room for extra too since the coal man might show up a little heavy which is what happened for me and I was able to take it.

You're always going to want to have it a little bigger especially if you're getting full loads for the entire season. That way you'll always have a sutplus in the Spring. If you expect to use 5 ton a year build a 6 ton bin and get 6 ton the first year.

KISS--re-read Anthony's post---orrrrr, you can complicate the hell out of it---4X4X8= 3 ton