Firewood Rack Using No Tools

Building a no-tools-needed firewood rack

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 easily 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 2x4 uprights in holes in blocks. If on dirt put a few
small rocks or pebbles in holes first to help drain water from 2x4' ends.
- its designed so the 2x4'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 2x4 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..hahah
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. 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

Ok, this is some years later and just a couple comments:

Its great to see a lot of people have built the rack and are having success. Its like any basic project. You can add your ideas to it to make it work better for you. Nothing is set in stone...its just an easy, inexpensive way to make a solid, long-lasting rack that you will appreciate. One thought on how i cover the wood. I take a piece of standard 8x10 plastic tarp and cut it longwise into two strips...the wood still needs to get ventilation and this only covers the top and a bit on each side. then i take holed bricks...you know the cheap bricks with three holes in them...and tie a light rope from one brick to another...about 4 feet apart...and just drape one of these "bolas" over each end of the tarp...i use three on a double length rack..the tarps overlap in the middle and the brick holdown works great and they last forever with no maintenance...my kind of tool..hahah.. and they are plenty heavy enough to keep the tarp on in a wind or rain...and no ties to make or adjust or remove.
Make sure when building the rack that the end upright 2x4's are facing right...you get more strength if the wood is on end and you dont need the width there. If you have the room and the need, build a double length rack..you use less than twice the material. And it gives you lots more room to separate different kinds of wood or dryness or sizes..its very handy having a longer rack and you will appreciate it. so then you can stroll along your long woodpile on that chilly night and pick just the right piece for that beautiful fireplace. hahah, i love the sound and smell of a wood fire. My best to all. Clas