Chestnut Posted July 19, 2019 Report Share Posted July 19, 2019 So with the new fire pit I figure i should have a place to store firewood. The side of my house that i want to store the wood on faces my neighbor so i want the storage to look somewhat presentable. I decided on a design with a simple shed roof and that I'd make it out of cedar. I bought some 4x4s for the corner posts and decided to go with 1xs for bottom braces and the rest of the structure. For the main "siding" I guess you could call it i decided upon fence pickets as they were cheap. Using dominoes to attach the top and bottom rail for each side. To attach the siding i glued a backer board to the back of the rails to create a shelf or makeshift dado. I'll end up gluing and nialing the pickets to these. I'm not going all out with this and am going to use brad nails in many places to speed along construction. For finish i'm probably just going to use some decking/fence stain. To promote airflow to allow the lumber to dry the sides and back are going to be spaces 3/4". The roof I will attempt to make somewhat watertight though. Think i should plane all the pickets smooth or leave them rough? 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tpt life Posted July 19, 2019 Report Share Posted July 19, 2019 Are the pickets Cedar? If so, planing by machine can cause areas to lift as the heat seems to penetrate a small ways and soften the bond between rings. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
treeslayer Posted July 19, 2019 Report Share Posted July 19, 2019 50/50 I think on making them smooth, more work for you but I know you ain’t scared of work, once they are stained I don’t think many people would notice, oh, and just wish I had you for a neighbor Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coop Posted July 19, 2019 Report Share Posted July 19, 2019 For any metal fasteners, I would use the decking type screws, especially in lieu of brad nails. I speak from experience. I just replaced a cedar fence that my neighbor put up three years ago. Bless his heart, he furnished everything and I paid for it. But this past spring I noticed it leaning heavily toward me. Everything was attached with drywall screws. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chestnut Posted July 19, 2019 Author Report Share Posted July 19, 2019 8 minutes ago, K Cooper said: For any metal fasteners, I would use the decking type screws, especially in lieu of brad nails. I speak from experience. I just replaced a cedar fence that my neighbor put up three years ago. Bless his heart, he furnished everything and I paid for it. But this past spring I noticed it leaning heavily toward me. Everything was attached with drywall screws. I failed to mention they are stainless brad nails. Mainly just in place of clamping, tight bond 3 will be the main long term attachment. I found they also make galvanized brads but in my research galvanized isn't suggested in contact with cedar and redwood. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhighlander Posted July 19, 2019 Report Share Posted July 19, 2019 I'd leave the pickets rough. As someone who grew up with firewood for heat, I'd also suggest keeping that away from the house a bit. Firewood stacks make wonderful homes for all sorts of creepie-crawlies that you don't want inside. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coop Posted July 19, 2019 Report Share Posted July 19, 2019 Bueno! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chestnut Posted July 19, 2019 Author Report Share Posted July 19, 2019 25 minutes ago, treeslayer said: 50/50 I think on making them smooth, more work for you but I know you ain’t scared of work, once they are stained I don’t think many people would notice, oh, and just wish I had you for a neighbor It would be at most a trip through the planner both sides. Because It's outdoors and going to be stained I'm not going to put much effort into getting a silky smooth finish. 1 minute ago, wtnhighlander said: I'd leave the pickets rough. As someone who grew up with firewood for heat, I'd also suggest keeping that away from the house a bit. Firewood stacks make wonderful homes for all sorts of creepie-crawlies that you don't want inside. Would a couple feet be enough or should i put it on the other side of my lot? I was leaning smooth, what makes you think rough? The rails and legs are planned smooth. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhighlander Posted July 19, 2019 Report Share Posted July 19, 2019 8 hours ago, Chestnut said: Would a couple feet be enough or should i put it on the other side of my lot? I was leaning smooth, what makes you think rough? The rails and legs are planned smooth. Bugs might be different up there in the great frozen north. Just sharing my experience. We kept a stack ready and dry under the carport, but spiders and centepedes were always a problem. At least you aren't bringing it inside. As for the rough, I just like the texture. My house is sided with it. It will look good in contrast with the smooth stock of the framework, too. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coop Posted July 19, 2019 Report Share Posted July 19, 2019 I have about 20 pickets leftover from the fence build and will use most to replace older purple Martin houses. I plan to sticker them for a while, then plane them down, only because they will be painted on the outside. Fence and panels, I prefer rough. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chestnut Posted July 19, 2019 Author Report Share Posted July 19, 2019 10 hours ago, treeslayer said: oh, and just wish I had you for a neighbor It'd be fun to have a fellow woodworker for a neighbor. I'll let Bill know your interested in his house . He's got an insulated heated and cooled oversized 3 stall garage that would make an awesome shop. 9 hours ago, wtnhighlander said: Bugs might be different up there in the great frozen north. Just sharing my experience. We kept a stack ready and dry under the carport, but spiders and centepedes were always a problem. At least you aren't bringing it inside. As for the rough, I just like the texture. My house is sided with it. It will look good in contrast with the smooth stock of the framework, too. I like that thought. I might just clean up the back side of the panel to get a better glue bond and leave the front rough. I'm going to lay it out and see what i think. Yeah we get bugs here for about 5 months of the year. The other 7 months the freezing cold weather kills them pretty fast. It is a concern of mine that it will attract mice and bugs but i don't know of a way to store wood that doesn't attract pests. I'm going to apply some chemicals to the inside to attempt to keep them away. 9 hours ago, K Cooper said: I have about 20 pickets leftover from the fence build and will use most to replace older purple Martin houses. I plan to sticker them for a while, then plane them down, only because they will be painted on the outside. Fence and panels, I prefer rough. I have a lot of the pickets standing on end to dry in my shop. They are pretty dang high in MC so I'd like them to dry out some before i use them. The dryer pickets are on the rack on the wall. I'll be working on this again tonight as the head index is supposed to be 110 here today. It's a typical Houston day 95 F and an 80 degree dew point. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pkinneb Posted July 19, 2019 Report Share Posted July 19, 2019 For what its worth I personally I like the rough facing out at least. Regarding pests I would definitely keep it a six inches to a foot away from the structure and preferably not near any doors. I get mice in mine on a regular basis. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chestnut Posted July 19, 2019 Author Report Share Posted July 19, 2019 Another thought is if the part that faces back should be enclosed or open with some cross braces? If i leave it open and spaced from the house foxes may take care of any rodents that try and make it home. I found a gut pile in my yard and a bunch of fur the other day. Either a rabbit or a squirrel became the dinner of something. Between foxes, hawks, eagles, coyotes, and my pellet gun varmints have a tough time in my area. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Chestnut Posted July 22, 2019 Author Popular Post Report Share Posted July 22, 2019 I got both sides of the storage rack done. I got all the boards glued and nailed in place with TB III and stainless steel brads. Beings that i want the front angled I need to cut the angle in the ends of the posts. I figured that it would be easier to do this after everything is constructed as I'd be able to cut a line with the track saw. I always forget that the track saw cut depth is 2.75" and not 3.125" either way neither is cutting through the 4x4 in one go. So i grabbed one of those odd toothed plates of steel they used to use hundreds of years ago and finished the cut. Jokes, i use hand saws quite often for random things. They really are a great tool to have in the shop. I cleaned up the cut with my #4 just to make sure the ends was somewhat even. Below is the completed side. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Chestnut Posted August 13, 2019 Author Popular Post Report Share Posted August 13, 2019 Been working on this lately. I'm trying to get it done so i can finally consolidate my firewood storage to one spot. Glued the sides together. This guy is nearly 8' long so it was a tricky job. My parallel clamp extenders have been put to use a LOT since i've made them. The center post wasn't supported very well so i ran a brace to the top back rail. I also did a grid system for the bottom with a couple support blocks. I wanted to keep the bottom support quite open so as much air flow can surround the wood as possible. I figure keeping the moisture out will help prevent the storage rack from rotting out. Used my counter sink drill bit i got from rockler to do some free hand pocket holes. I like this bit a lot and do recomend it. It's not the best but it does the trick for me. https://www.rockler.com/8-pro-tapered-countersink-bit I got the doors mounted and found some nice marine hardware that i used for hinges and latches. I'm goign to leave the dog ear on the pickets that overhang the front edge. I set it up and kind of like the look. Unless someone gives me a good reason why this is foolish. I'll post some links to the hardware later. I'm quite impressed with some of the marine hardware that is available on Amazon. Hinges are tight and seem to be well made. You can get them in 316 stainless so it should hold up outdoors for a long time. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pkinneb Posted August 13, 2019 Report Share Posted August 13, 2019 Looks great Drew! "My parallel clamp extenders have been put to use a LOT since i've made them." Can we get a pic? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnG Posted August 13, 2019 Report Share Posted August 13, 2019 Looks great! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chestnut Posted August 13, 2019 Author Report Share Posted August 13, 2019 5 hours ago, pkinneb said: Looks great Drew! "My parallel clamp extenders have been put to use a LOT since i've made them." Can we get a pic? I can't remember where i posted them. I should probably make a dedicated post. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pkinneb Posted August 13, 2019 Report Share Posted August 13, 2019 Thanks! That is pretty slick, good return on investment 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom King Posted August 13, 2019 Report Share Posted August 13, 2019 That's the nicest looking firewood box I've ever seen. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coop Posted August 14, 2019 Report Share Posted August 14, 2019 Well done Nut! That counter sink bit set ain’t cheap but if you swear by it, I’m gonna have to try one. It’s a good thing it only comes in a #8 or I would be out some bucks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chestnut Posted August 14, 2019 Author Report Share Posted August 14, 2019 10 hours ago, K Cooper said: Well done Nut! That counter sink bit set ain’t cheap but if you swear by it, I’m gonna have to try one. It’s a good thing it only comes in a #8 or I would be out some bucks! I'd try one first but it does come in 3 sizes. It does clog like some of the cheaper bits but a light tap usually clears it unlike the cheap ones. I usually only use #8 screws so i will only buy one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Chestnut Posted August 16, 2019 Author Popular Post Report Share Posted August 16, 2019 Got it finished and in place. I used flood cwf-uv finish because i got it free and why not. Starting to get it filled up. 8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pkinneb Posted August 16, 2019 Report Share Posted August 16, 2019 Very nice! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bmac Posted August 16, 2019 Report Share Posted August 16, 2019 Looks good, I think you'll need more firewood than that for a MN winter. Now that you built that you'll need to get to work to fill it up. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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