Just buy a 14gallon rubbermaid container or something equivalent.
Search for Kelly's post on making a bin.

Or try to find some plans on the net like Oscr JR.

Here is a link that might be useful: Oscr Jr. Plans

I think you might be happy with a 10 gallon rubbermaid type tote to start. You can nest them also, to make your own condo, for a lot less.

i'd be happy with making my own, but the problem lies with my DH. if i'm to do this, it needs to be able to be housed in the basement, and fairly neat/attractive.

we don't have too much kitchen waste, but my ultimate plan is to ask the neighbor's for 'help'. this is something he doesn't want to do, but i figure if we have the worms, we don't want them to go hungry, and we'd be keeping less waste out of the landfill (and more great 'stuff' for the garden).

a commercial bin is the best for me. sort of a worm condo for dummies. remember, it needs to be semi-attractive. at least to the point of DH not even really noticing it. he'd notice it if it were really ugly and bulky.

thanks.

Look at the pictures in the OSCR JR. link.
If you already have storage bins for stuff, one would probably not even notice that the stacked one is for worms.
If you have cat litter box, let me tell you that is a lot more disgusting and smelly than the worm bin (especially when the cat misses).

Since I had my bin for 9months, I have had one incidence of smell (wheat germ - took it out) and small flies (took care with homemade traps and better burying of stuff).
As for the cat litter box (in the same place as the worm bin), I've cleaned up at least 2 times and had to deal with that wonderful ammonia, far worse than anything from my bin.

Good luck in whatever you choose.

My dark blue rubbermaid bin sits in the shadows under a table in the back parlor. Nobody knows what it is unless I decide to show off my little buddies. I think that a commercial "worm thing" would be much more noticable anywhere than the ubiquitous Rubbermaid tote. I built mine based on Kelly's plans.

Here is a link that might be useful: How to make a Kellybin

I would agree with Joe. I have a worm ranch brand stacking system and just added a rubbermaid. The rubbermaid is not even noticed. Also with the stacking system, when I need to switch the stacks, I unstack and restack and empty collection tray, all of this does cause some 'crumbs' and such to get on the floor. It's too awkward for me to carry it all out to the yard, so I have to clean my garage after, but the rubbermaid I can pick up and take wherever I want when I decide to harvest, like right next to where I want to use it!

Mine is like the kelly bin, except I don't use peanuts or landscape fabric and it is working well. I just keep the bin slightly tilted, and push the stuff to the leave the lower side exposed, that way I can see if too much liquid is collecting. Then I can just add shredded paper to sop it up. I've also heard of someone using a turkey baster.