Is anyone doing this also? Today I used them for cutting slab wood. I started using these a few years ago, because I hated wasting the smaller diameter wood (branches and tops). It's the only way for me to justify cutting anything under about four inches in diameter (or slab wood). I cut about a cord and a half of free slabs today. It was ridiculously windy, and about 30 degrees out, which is abnormally cold for this area.
Yes, I have done exactly that. For lots of small diameter branches that I want to keep in a narrow column, I have a variation as shown below (explanation beneath) It looks a mess. When I did this about three years ago I wouldn't have dreamed that something as wonderful as the FHC site could exist, so this was just to remind me what I did. The two bottom rails are just to hold the concrete block up at the right height. The two vertical rails contain the branches, which sit at each end on the top of the conveniently concave block end. This gives me plenty of clearance for the bar to go right through the bundle of branches and out the bottom. The two pieces of wood right at the end are, from left to right, holding the ratchet tie down strap away from the concrete so it doesn't chafe, and spacing the bottom rails so they press firmly against the two holes they are sitting in and the whole thing is solid. There's the same thing on the other end. The "V" form like you've got is great too for larger pieces like your slabs. I found that when I tried it with branches they moved about and spun too much, which is dangerous (at least with an 18" bar) as you tend to get some kick-back and grabbing as they squirm about.
Hope this isn't too far off topic, but while finding that old photo I came across another, coincidentally also on a "Vee" theme: That's a single concrete block with two pieces of 2x4, loaded with pine splits. I know what you're probably thinking: that's going to topple over any minute, but surprisingly, no. I did it just for fun and to see what would happen and I was astonished to find after a couple of days that I could rock it fairly hard from any direction and it would really resist and then just snap back to vertical. It looks so top heavy but the ground is very hard and level (compacted gravel) and the weight seems to concentrate down to the block, making it a bit like a Bobo doll. Of course if you got behind it and gave it a really serious shove it would go over, but you could say that about most firewood ricks. I eventually burned all that wood but it was up for several months and endured several storms with high winds and it was absolutely fine.
I’ve made somewhere north of 2 dozen of these. Designed with half lapped joinery, and built to handle the heaviest loads. In the past I’ve sold them in the FHC classifieds but it’s looking like a pretty busy spring and summer for me. Perhaps in the fall I could be persuaded to build some more for the right price.
There are supposedly a number of remedies for Peyronies just thought I'd dangle that out there for ya
I guess we don't have to ask Shawn if he's "got wood". (I mean I can see his stacks in the background)
Bummer I hadn’t run into you earlier! I live in WA, Lakewood myself. Nice to meet you and stay warm in this ridiculous mess!!
I sold some bundled firewood last summer, and used a similar setup for keeping about fourteen bundles (using two racks; so seven bundles on each) at the end of my driveway, for campers and fudgies to buy. I used two cinder blocks, and four 2x4s per rack. Very stable. I'll try to find a pic...
Cute idea. I like it, but it wouldn't work for me. Most of what I cut (that necessitates using sawbucks) is in 8'-12' lengths.
