Using a Flat Shovel clear a 2' x 2' pad where you'd like the barrel to be. Lay a layer of All Purpose Gravel down in the clearing to help you level the blocks in the next step.
A riser is used to give you enough space to fit a watering can underneath.
Place four Cinder Blocks down as shown to form a 2' x 2' square and Level each block.
Lay four 1' x 1' Paver Stones on top to create a finished surface.
You can find used oak barrels at breweries, vineries, wineries, and distilleries. The price can varies based on availability and are, but they usually run about $100-200.
Use a Tape Measurer to mark about 1/3 of the way from the back to the front of Barrel. Drill a 3 inch hole using a Battery Powered Drill loaded with a 3" hole saw attached to a Hole saw bit.
Install a 3” Round 75 degree downspout corner into the hole with the male end down. You can now run additional downspout to make your connection as needed. You will need to convert from your gutter size / style to 3 inch rounded gutter. Various adapters can be found online.
The roof helps keep the barrel dry and prevents water from pooling in the top.
Cut the 2x4x8 into 4 sections about 13-14” in length with a Battery Powered Circular Saw. Because barrel designs vary, you’ll want to experiment some with the length of these boards to find the right fit.
Cut a 2 foot section of a 2'x8' Corrugated Galvanized Steel Roof Panel using a Shears Attachment Accessory attached to your Battery Powered Driver. Round the corners using Metal Shears. Bend the section in half until it fits on top of the barrel while resting on the 2x4 sections.
Now that it’s assembled make sure the sides are even and the roofing overlaps the barrel edge. Adjust until you find a comfortable fit, then remove the roofing.
Screw in the bottom boards first, and then the top two into them using a Battery Powered Driver and two 2.5" Stainless Steel Screws per board.
Screw roof in twice on each side into the 2x4s using a Battery Powered Driver and 1 1/4" Wafer-Head Screws.
Drill a hole about half an inch above the bottom ring on the side you want the spigot on using a 59/64 Drill Bit loaded into a Battery Powered Drill. Next thread the hole using a 3/4 in. Pipe Tap and a 10" Adjustable Wrench. Once threaded, screw the Brass Hose Spigot into the hole using the 10” Adjustable Wrench.
It’s easier to flip the barrel upside to do this once it’s marked so the wrench doesn’t hit the ground and can full rotate when you’re tapping / threading.
Assemble the overflow as shown with the Brass Garden Hose Adapter into the Brass Garden Hose Wye. Make sure to screw the hose footing into the Wye, not the smaller 3/4” threads. Remove the barb from the Brass Garden Hose Barb Adapter and insert a Black Rubber Washer with Screen with the screen facing outward.
Drill a hole about half an inch below the too ring on the side you want the overflow on using a 59/64 Drill Bit loaded into a Battery Powered Drill. Next thread the hole using a 3/4 in. Pipe Tap and a 10" Adjustable Wrench. Once threaded, screw the assembled overflow into the hole.
Finally screw the Leader Hose onto the overflow adapter with a rubber washer with a screen in between to keep insects out.
You will want to clean the overflow screens periodically.
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| 3" hole saw | 13.47 |
| Hole saw bit | 16.97 |
| 3/4 in. Pipe Tap & 59/64 Drill Bit Kit | 32.04 |
| 10" Adjustable Wrench | 14.97 |
| Total | 77.45 |
This guide assumes you have a basic tool set.
| Item | Guide |
|---|---|
| Flat Shovel | Shed |
| Level | Shed |
| Tape Measurer | Shed |
| Battery Powered Drill | Shed |
| Battery Powered Circular Saw | Shed |
| Speed Square | Shed |
| Battery Powered Driver | Shed |
| Shears Attachment Accessory | Shed |
| Metal Shears | Shed |
| Item | Use | # | Cost | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| All Purpose Gravel | Riser | 1 50 lb Bag | 3.85 | |
| Cinder Blocks | Riser | 4 | 1.65 | 6.60 |
| 12"x12" Paver stones | Riser | 4 | 1.52 | 6.08 |
| Used Oak Barrel | 1 | 100.00 | ||
| 3” Round 75 degree downspout corner | Downspout Connection | 1 | 10.73 | |
| 2x4x8 | Roof | 1 | 3.13 | |
| 2.5" Stainless Steel Screws | Roof | 15 pack | 7.79 | |
| 2'x 8' Corrugated Galvanized Steel Roof Panel | Roof | 1 | 34.35 | |
| 1 1/4" Wafer-Head Screws | Roof | 50 Pack | 2.21 | |
| Brass Hose Spigot / Bibb | Spigot | 1 | 8.58 | |
| Brass Garden Hose Adapter | Overflow | 1 | 4.93 | |
| Brass Garden Hose Wye | Overflow | 1 | 11.80 | |
| Brass Garden Hose Barb Adapter | Overflow | 1 | 11.93 | |
| Hose Washers with Screen | Overflow | 2 Pack | 2.38 | |
| Leader Hose | Overflow | 1 | 7.97 | |
| Total | 222.33 |