Pretty simple job of Macguivering here....
first... get a cheap 1 to 1.5 ton scissor jack (as this is the same mechanism that is used in the 500 dollar job. And, mount a treadplate aluminum piece on the jack lift point. Bolts will be nice after drilling out the mounting holes with a carbide bit. Or, if you have a welder, weld it on the lift point of the jack. This compression plate will need to be the dimensions of the BOTTOM of the donor office trash can.
Second, mount it on a nice and thick piece of outdoor decking 1 - 1.5 inch treated wood. For strength only. Then build a nice open ended box about 38 inches tall, depending on the donor plastic office trashcan that you are about to incorporate into the design.
Third... using the top piece with the scissor jack on it, invert the scissor jack into the downward position and mount it as the top part of the open ended box.
Fourth...once secured with some serious screws, 3 inch decking screws work nicely, now extend the scissor jack to its maximum height. This is simpler if you do it before you mount it to the open ended box. There will be a travel slot on the side where the connection for the jack handle is, so, mark the maximum travel point. From here you will know how high to add the bottom plate on which the trashcan will rest. Allow for 2-4 inches at the bottom so that it will not jam into the plastic.
Fifth... now that you have the max travel of the plate, subtract your 2-4 inches from it and mount the bottom plate where the can will sit. Reinforce this well with supports under the plate. Now retract the scissor jack to its minimum height and mark this point.
Using a jig or sawsall, cut out the travel slot for the scissor jack crank.
Sixth... now, cut out a notched 6-10 inch piece of solid strong conduit piping that will slip over the scissor jack crank and secure it with a bolt thru the drilled out hole for it.
Seventh... now, using a prefab Lazy Susan top, (for looks), drill a center hole (halfway into the Susan top) for the conduit piping to rest in. And, using a closet rod mount, mount the Susan top to the conduit. If your rod mount doesnt come with a notch or nut to keep the conduit from slippling, drill a mounting bolt hole thru it and the conduit where it can be secured and the wheel will now turn the conduit which in turn will operate the scissor jack in the compression or return operation.
Eighth.... I made my front and back simple with a nice piece of 1/2 birch plywood to match my birch cabinets and some cabinet hinges. I stained it to match and all put the polyurethene to it. And, on a suggestion, i found some nice countertop that someone had bunged up installing it, cut out a piece to fit the top, and mounted it with Gorilla Glue.
There ya go... cost out for the whole project was 42 bucks.
I did have the glue and the conduit laying around, and the scissor jack i got off the internet for 20 bucks.
For those that wonder about the deodorizing system.
Stickups work wonders and they are about a buck for 4 at the swap meets.
Got questions let me know.
I have made about 10 of these things now and people just cant believe that its that simple. Should take you about 4 hours to assemble, after getting everything together and getting it all figured out. Depending on your scissor jack, you will have to adjust your dimensions accordingly.
Not bad for a boy from Arkansas.
Yes, were making a large wheel driven scissor jack trash compactor.