News – Homesteading and Survivalism Store. DIY Bucket Swamp Cooler. Parts List: 1x 5 gal bucket (If you don't have one, the orange Homer Buckets for $2.50 at Home Depot work nicely) 1x 5 gal bucket lid ( $1 at home depot) You may also need a "sacrificial" 5 gal bucket that will be cut into strips to use as a retainer ring to hold the pads in place.
One bucket should make at least 4 2" strips, so one sacrificed bucket will do for four swamp coolers, so going in with friends means less waste. :) An improvised alternative is fine, too, this is not a precision venture. 1x Swamp Cooler Mesh Pad: $8.77 for the Home Depot "DuraCool" 30x36 pad will make at least two coolers ~4 feet of Poly Tube 1/2" Irrigation Tube : $5.99 for 50' roll at Home Depot will make many coolers! 1/2" Irrigation tube T connector ($1.50 at Home Depot) ~2 feet of Garden Shade Cloth, 6' wide: OSH carries rolls sold by the foot: $2/ft, $4 total, mine was cut "generously" so I can do two coolers with what I bought. Fans & Heaters – Free Shipping.