Where do you find these pallet collars? Googling I see they cost about $50 new, but is there a supply of used ones, preferably around Sacramento?

The optimal size for a compost bin is 4 feet x 4 feet x 4 feet. That looks too small.

kimmq is kimmsr

@ofpete: I build various projects from pallets. This is the first time I've seen pallet collars in the discarded pallet stack. From research, I understand they are common in European countries and Australia. Being in Sacramento, I assume most of the shipping traffic is from China so it might be a challenge to find them locally. It looks like the hinges cost about $0.20 a piece (in bulk). You could build your own (see drawing in link).

@kimmq: The height issue is easily solved by adding more tiers and pallet collars do come in larger sizes (48" x 40"). I agree that this one is a little small but it was free :). I would also think that rotating a stackable compost much larger than this might be challenge for a single person.

I am less concerned about the height since I know that you could stack more atop one another. The width is my concern.

Kimmq is kimmsr

If you needed bigger you could remove the hinges and move them to longer boards.

I have been looking for these hinges for quite a while. I don't want to buy 1000 pieces, and I don't want to pay $50 for a set of 2 with lumber attached. Anyone know of a place to order the hardware only in smaller quantities, say a dozen or two?

@rayzone I can't find them in smaller quantity either. Mcmaster.com sells various low cost hinges but not one that allows for stacking. Here is an option if you don't want hinges

http://www.vegetable-gardening-with-lorraine.com/homemade-compost-bin.html

RayZone ... maybe buy the smallest bulk you can and resell the rest on Etsy or eBay?

I had a different use in mind. Adding sides whose height can be quickly adjusted to my tractors carry-all. I would stack them up higher to increase the volume of leaves or lighter stuff I want to carry. I'd take them all off to carry oversize stuff like logs or tools. I'd have short walls so I can easily reach the bottom when harvesting stuff from the garden. I have other ideas how to accomplish this, but I just hate building stuff. These stacking hinges seem like an easy, lazy, cheap possibility.

Lazy_gardens--that thought has crossed my mind. I used to sell quite a bit of stuff on ebay, which is why I haven't been able to bring myself to do it yet!

@rayzone

Ok, I found 2000 min order for $.02/hinge = $40

http://dimestore.website/item-detail/biggest-manufacturer-for-pallet-collar-hinge.html

BTW, I used your term "stacking hinge" and found the following article:

http://www.leevalley.com/en/html/xk605ie.pdf

It gives a few more options than I thought about.