Home-Made Earth Sifter / Trommel

pmartin86

I'll keep the background short, ive been living in my house for 4 years and ahve renovated the enitre house inside and out, I'm now FINALY able to tackle the massivly overgrown and rubble strewn garden. Budget is small and thus I'll be doing bit on evening and weekends as a labour of love.

I've got large amount of earth thats very rocky, i've dug down about 2ft where the "lawn" is and about 2ft in the "borders" and at a guess, id say its about 30-40% rocks and dead roots, and 60% soil. I'm looking to improve this the best I can by sifting it out as I go, I looked to buy a trommel type thing, but their rediculously expensive (Example: http://www.screwfix.com/p/scheppach-rs400-automatic-rotary-soil-sieve/7330k)

I was thinking that I could probably make something simular from scrap, I've got some old bike wheels that could be used as rims, penty of spare lumber etc. I come accross this while googling the idea http://www.popularmechanics.com/home/how-to-plans/how-to/a11370/how-to-build-a-motorized-trommel-and-why-on-earth-you-would-want-to-17246926/ and thought I could build something simular using an old tumble drier motor I've got. Anyone have and experience of doing something like this? Or any tips?

Regards
Paul