A stable, strong, easily-movable, cheap firewood rack is a thought-provoking project. This is what i have used for years and it works extremely well. It holds a face-cord of heavy, wet wood with no problem and is very stable.
This is what you need:
- 2 or 3 concrete blocks
- 2 landscape timbers
- 2 2x4s – 8 or 10 footers cut in half.
Total material cost about 20 bucks…
I think the pics say it all but some tips:
– place 2 concrete blocks holes up on a stable surface, 3 if support needed in center (not often).
– place timbers across outside edges of blocks with all width of each timber completely on block.
– place 2×4 uprights in holes in blocks. If on dirt put a few small rocks or pebbles in holes first to help drain water from 2×4′ ends.
– its designed so the 2×4’s are leaning out at the top. It’s very strong like this. If you find the 2x4s are spread too wide, you can tap them closer together on a full rack as there is not that much weight on them. the last pic shows my new double rack. one more block but 4 less 2×4 pieces and stronger because of center blocks.
If you enlarge the last pic, you can really see how much weight this set-up will hold. And i could put a lot more on it but its over my head. If you have any doubts about whether or not this works like i say, just read a few comments from other members, real people just telling it like it is.
I cut a piece of plastic tarp about 4′ wide and 10′ long to cover wood… i take a couple of holed bricks and tie light 3′ rope from one to the other and lay over tarped ends to keep tarp on in wind. all of this works really well together. The rack gets stronger with more wood and is very stable.
Everything comes apart to move to another spot or put in storage (or use for other projects). Rack is high enough off ground to blow leaves from underneath or spray for bugs. Its nice to be able to easily move a woodrack as sometimes the ground under it becomes unstable and the rack will lean. Or sometimes you just find a better place and moving individual pieces is so much easier than moving the whole rack at once. One more thought: if you use 8′ 2x4s, if you cut them in half at a 45 degree angle, you get more length and also the angle will help them drain at the top.
Anyway, once you have set this rack up and used it a bit, its one of those things that you just grin each time you look at it and wish other things you make would work as well. Enjoy. (via Instructables).
Here is a new and improved version with ropes holding the supports together for more stability…
If you like this idea, be sure to share it with your friends and inspire someone you know. Anything becomes possible with just a little inspiration…
