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Thursday, January 03, 2008

how to make a dumpster chute

Finally, here it is: our photo tutorial on how to create your own dumpster chute. We did this last week; those of you coming over on Saturday will get to see it -- and fling things down it -- in person!

First things first: you've got to take out a window. This is the window at the top of our stairs; we built a scaffolding so that it can be accessed a little less precariously (pictures of the scaffolding are here and here).


Next, install a pulley above the window. If you don't know the physics of pulley-installation, I can't really help you. I was an English major. You'll note that we bolted a spare piece of lumber above the window for the pulley to be attached to so it would be even with the window.


Lean out the window to take pictures of the happenings below; get yelled at for endangering both expensive camera and self.


Buy approximately a metric buttload of sturdy trash cans (we cleaned out the supply at both Home Depot and Wal-Mart, which is why there are two different colors). Using a reciprocating saw or other useful implement of destruction, cut out the bottoms of all of the cans. (I had high hopes, but alas the bottoms do not work well as frisbees.)


Stack all your bottom-free cans together, and thread chain through the handles (one roll of chain per side turned out to be exactly enough). Make sure you've bought chain that is strong enough to handle the load; ours is rated for 300 pounds.


Make sure you've got a length of chain at the top of the cans to hang the whole shebang from; Don and his dad counted 60 links back and then looped the chain around the handles of the top can, using a bolt with washers and nut to secure it.


Tie or otherwise secure the other end of the pulley to the midpoint of your hanging-chains; make sure to leave the top section dangling free, as you'll bolt this to the window frame later.


Using the pulleys and some brute strength, maneuver the stack of cans upright.


Hoist the first can to your desired height; the bottom should overlap into the next can so nothing will fall out of the chute. Designate that useless person standing around taking pictures to hold the rope in place while you loop chain around the next set of handles and secure with bolts.


Do it again.


And again and again and again and again and again.


Once the top of your chute has reached the windowsill, run upstairs and bolt those chains into place so whoever your poor rope-holder is can let go. Then come back down and heave the end of the chute into the dumpster. We bolted the last few cans together still stacked, to provide a little stability and weight to keep the end securely in the dumpster.


Take a spare can and create a hood for the top of the chute. When you're not using it, you can just take the hood out and tarp over the window.


Ta-da!


There are a few extra pictures in the set here.

12 comments:

bbssgg said...

Dan says the actual chutes are $20 a pop...

Jamaila said...

Not anywhere I could find them! Nobody had them for rent, and the only places I could find that sold them were the manufacturers and they were really expensive.

Anonymous said...

Can't wait to see pictures of the progress- it looks like it will work well. Who will be the lucky person spreading out the debris in the dumpster? I was suprised how much we had to move stuff around. Good luck!

Jamaila said...

Probably Don! LOL! Last time we did this, we had a bunch of his fraternity brothers here, so they just took turns hopping in there and moving stuff around. This time, none of them could make it, so it'll probably just be up to him.

CindyWags said...

That's quite impressive! Did you find plans? Or did you geniuses come up with that on your own?

Unfortunately, Brian and I won't be able to make it over to destroy your house tomorrow. I hope everything goes smoothly and safely! Goggles for everyone!

Jamaila said...

All us, baby! :)

Anonymous said...

I just called a rent all place. They were asking - ( from a second storey floor to our trailer) $30 per week per piece of chute and we would need 5 pieces plus a hopper to put in the window. So yaaaaaaa. Think we will need to find a life hack for this part haha.

Bobotron said...

Saw another blog suggesting to use 16" concrete forming tubes to make a chute. They are not as big and not as durable over a long period as these trash cans i'm sure, but cost is only about $80 total. I imagine thats much less than this setup.

Matt Barry said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Unknown said...

Why doesn't the tarp industry make a chute that isn't so expensive.

Matt Barry said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Dennis said...

EasyChute would be easier, but not cheaper. 10ft from them is $100. Each can provides 2ft of drop so 10 feet of can is 5X $10 = $50.