Firewood rack

[cpufixerjr]

My 7 year olds broke our lowes firewood rack...it was always a bit flimsy...so, I ran to the local supply shop and got some material to build this monstrosity.

2x1x1/8 channel iron base, 1.5x3/16 angle for uprights. 8 feet overall length.

I hit it a few times with the sledge hammer...lets see them break this one.

 

[jhn9840]

Your firewood rack is looking good. Doubt if the 7 year old is going to
break it. Looks like the supervisors are doing their final inspection. Hope it passes.

jhn9840
John

 

[Bearskinner]

Looks very sturdy. If when you load it, it deflects at all, you can add a piece of angle iron across the top, in the back so as not to bump into it, if it was on the front.

 

[Gary Fowler]

I agree with Bearskinner that the uprights might bend especially if you load the bays unequally. I dont think you would need any stiffeners as long as you load/unload in both bays so they stay stacked level across.

 

[cpufixerjr]

I loaded it up this weekend, smaller bay for smaller pieces, larger for the bigger stuff, didnt bend or deflect any.

 

[cpufixerjr]

Heres a pic

 

[Bearskinner]

Wish that was all the wood in needed! I keep 1 1/2 cords on the back porch and 5 more in the wood shed all dry and split, ready to use

 

[Gary Fowler]

I have a mostly inexhaustible supply of heating material called electricity. I gave up on wood many decades ago. I would have natural gas heating if it was available here. I do keep a few propane bottles around to run emergency heat if needed when ice storms hit, which is rare. We were out of power for 7 days last April from a wind storm, 80+ MPH straight winds according to weather but it seemed certain 100 yard wide paths sustained major damage compared to the rest of the county where I live. If you were in those narrow paths of usually 100 yards wide or less, then it took down all the trees, where as, just next to that, nothing damaged. Luckily last April was cool so no need for AC and my 8000 watt generator kept the light, TV, internet and hot water working along with an electric skillet to cook on, we got by fine. That little genset purred day and night for a week. I filled it up at around 9 pm and it ran all night on 4 gallons of gas. Same for day time use, about 4 gallons for 8 hours of use. The only time I could hear it really load up was when the hot water heater kicked on,

 

[cpufixerjr]

I have a mostly inexhaustible supply of heating material called electricity. I gave up on wood many decades ago. I would have natural gas heating if it was available here. I do keep a few propane bottles around to run emergency heat if needed when ice storms hit, which is rare. We were out of power for 7 days last April from a wind storm, 80+ MPH straight winds according to weather but it seemed certain 100 yard wide paths sustained major damage compared to the rest of the county where I live. If you were in those narrow paths of usually 100 yards wide or less, then it took down all the trees, where as, just next to that, nothing damaged. Luckily last April was cool so no need for AC and my 8000 watt generator kept the light, TV, internet and hot water working along with an electric skillet to cook on, we got by fine. That little genset purred day and night for a week. I filled it up at around 9 pm and it ran all night on 4 gallons of gas. Same for day time use, about 4 gallons for 8 hours of use. The only time I could hear it really load up was when the hot water heater kicked on,

I remember ice storms here in Oklahoma as a kid and going without power for two weeks. Then in 2007, Oklahoma got hit by two really bad ice storms. My house in the city was without power for 7 days, straight out of college it was a learning experience. When we moved to the country in 2012, a fireplace was on my must have list. We mostly use it for an occasional night or weekend, let the boys roast marshmallow as a treat...it does help with the propane bill a bit, but I sleep better knowing it is there just in case. I also have a little generator, wanting to pick up a good gas driven farm welder also, maybe a little lincoln weldanpower.

It doesnt take much fence line clearing to get the 3 to 5 rick of wood I need every year.

 

[cpufixerjr]

Wish that was all the wood in needed! I keep 1 1/2 cords on the back porch and 5 more in the wood shed all dry and split, ready to use

Yeah, Oklahoma doesnt really get that bad and for occasional use, 3 to 5 rick is plenty and I can get all I need clearing fence lines...I can imagine having to keep up with that much firewood, almost a full time job.

 

[Bearskinner]

I can set the thermostat and keep the house warm, but I really love the cozy radiant heat you get with a real fire in the wood stove. What s way to enjoy your morning coffee, in front of the fire

 

[Gary Fowler]

I remember ice storms here in Oklahoma as a kid and going without power for two weeks. Then in 2007, Oklahoma got hit by two really bad ice storms. My house in the city was without power for 7 days, straight out of college it was a learning experience. When we moved to the country in 2012, a fireplace was on my must have list. We mostly use it for an occasional night or weekend, let the boys roast marshmallow as a treat...it does help with the propane bill a bit, but I sleep better knowing it is there just in case. I also have a little generator, wanting to pick up a good gas driven farm welder also, maybe a little lincoln weldanpower.

It doesnt take much fence line clearing to get the 3 to 5 rick of wood I need every year.

My previous house (located in a Houston, Texas suburb) had a fireplace and I never used it. It was just an old standard fireplace, didnt have a heat-a-lator insert and it seemed to suck the heat out of the house rather than heat it up. I eventually cut a large piece of plywood and blocked it up.
For emergency heat in my house now, I purchased a radiant type 50K BTU propane heater. This conversation reminds me that I need to have some propane tanks refilled. I also just purchased a new patio set with a propane fire pit in the center of the table. My girls will enjoy that when they visit. They love to bundle up and set out on the patio and talk, drink some wine and play cards. The fire pit will enhance the experience I think.

 

[Bearskinner]

You don’t need AC power of any kind to start a nice warm fire in the wood stove. Just a match, and it’s nice and warm. I still much prefer it over just turning up the thermostat

 

[Bearskinner]

I had a propane heater in the shop, but propane creates moisture, which on wet or snowy days isn’t ideal. I can warm and dry my snow clothes, placing them near the wood stove.

 

[Gary Fowler]

Try one of the catalytic propane heaters. They burn much cleaner than a conventional propane burner

 

[Dirt Guy]

I agree with Bearskinner. A wood stove is the only way to go , as long as you have a good source of wood. I have two wood stoves in my house and one in the shop. Always warm , here it gets pretty cold in the winter and snows.

 

[Bearskinner]

Try one of the catalytic propane heaters. They burn much cleaner than a conventional propane burner

Had one in the back room of my shop (24x16) fully insulated. It would feel sticky wet. I had to get a dehumidifier. Removed it, and aged a pellet stove. Quick heat, dry and warm.
I live in the rain Forest, 80 miles from Canada, lots of rain and lots of snow. Dry works.

 

[Gary Fowler]

It sounds like you might have a ventilation problem more so than just heating. Propane by itself doesnt create moisture, it comes from the combustion air around it. The fact that your wood stove discharges the burned fuel and combustion air makes it drier. You may have the shop too well sealed and therefore no air circulation which is a bad thing especially in an enclosed shop where you could be TIG welding.

 

[Gary Fowler]

I agree with Bearskinner. A wood stove is the only way to go , as long as you have a good source of wood. I have two wood stoves in my house and one in the shop. Always warm , here it gets pretty cold in the winter and snows.

When you get my age minus 10 years or so, then cutting and splitting wood is not so enjoyable chore. Buying firewood is cost prohibitive around here for the amount of BTU that it produces. I prefer gas stove for cooking but electric for all other things but the wive hates gas stoves SO we have all electric home. I do have propane back up for heat and a small genset for the necessities of WiFi, computers, lights,TV and hot water with priorities being in the order listed. For myself, lights and hot water is all I need to get by, but wifey needs that computer and TV.

 

[Gary Fowler]

Always warm , here it gets pretty cold in the winter and snows.

You know the worst thing about wood heat, getting up in the morning to start the fire and freezing your butt of while it heats up the room enough. The other thing is getting the heat from the room where the stove is back to the other rooms. Now if you have a wood fired boiler that uses hot water to heat, then the last item is not an issue.