whats the best way to build a home made sifter?

2 14'' and 2 8'' 2x4s and thin mesh screen.

just get some boards, make a square, and staple thin mezh wire to one side. works great!

Thats a good idea with the bottom.

The wire slides into a saw kerf and is held in place with finish nails through the kerf. The bottom board is 1/4" plywood beveled on three sides to match the slope of the sides of the sifter. You can see the slope in the last picture and one side of the sifter has been ripped at the kerf to allow it to slide into place.
I still would like to have this one replicated in 1/8" aluminum.

Cut the bottom out of a cake pan and riveted a screen in

I've never owned a store bought sifter. Just find some old boards and cut them to any size you like and staple some wire screen on the bottom. You can make it with or with out handles and any size you like. Doesn't matter, as it will work.

I took small sized expanded metal and welded it to a sheet metal frame with a handle.

i just use the cover off of an electric motor, didnt have to make it, and works great.

I must be too hard on my stuff? I'd blow the bottom outta those wooden jobs, lol...I'm gonna have to pick up one from Ol' JC this summer..

X2.Worked for me also.

When caught in a pinch and needing a sifter and not wanting to purchase one through one of the trap supply houses. You can build your own.

All you need is an old 6 to 8 inch sauce pan. I usually get mine at garage sales, that part of the tip may keep you from sleeping with the puppies. Take a piece of 1/4 inch hail screen and place on the bottom of the pan. Mark every other hole until you have approximately two-third of the bottom of the pan marked. Then take a one-quarter inch drill bit and electric drill, drilling from the pattern you made, drill out each mark. Making sure to leave adequate space between each hole. I like to make the last 4 or 5 center holes a little larger, but that is a personal preference.

A colander pan works much better because the holes are already there, all you have to do is take a 1/4 inch drill bit and make them larger.

The reason I like this type of sifter is it gives your room for rocks and grass when making a set. The handle on the pan also makes it easier to use in tight spots.