We constantly read about folks hating or not liking to stack wood and many say it is their least favorable part of the wood process. Some folks do stack but perhaps not too neatly while a few don't even bother to top cover the wood stacks. Some, a very few want to do away with stacking (the least favorable way of handling wood) and want to just throw wood in a heap. In many cases people have close neighbors and some even live within city limits or in a subdivision. In those cases they need to be careful to keep it nice and neat. I know of one (Redneck) who had a big problem with the city fathers and had to move his wood stacks. That, of course did not go over well. But what I would like to accomplish with this thread is for the guys and gals to come up with some ideas that might help others so stacking would not be a distasteful job for them. Myself, it is something I just took in stride all these 60+ years of stacking and never looked at it as a drag. I do not mind stacking at all. I do admit sometimes I am not careful enough and my stacks could be neater. I find when I hurt a lot is when I stack poorly. But in my case very few even see my wood stacks so it doesn't matter how they look...to anyone but me. I do try to take some pride in my work. So please, come up with some ideas or ask questions. Whatever you do, please don't turn this thread into a bashing party. Here are a couple pictures that got posted on another site a long time ago (not a forum) along with some other wood piles. Yes, it made me feel good to have someone compliment the wood piles.
Curious, how do those ends hold up in 6+ years? I did that on a few rows years ago and they held up for a couple of years, but then started to shift/lean to a point where it was not very stable anymore.
More than pride in my ability (or lack of) to stack perfection, I take great pride in the completed stack and the work it took to get it there. So I fall somewhere in between.
I'm always jealous when I see pics of your stacks Backwoods Savage wish I could score wood that straight to make all mine like that. I don't like to stack but I do like my stacks to be decent looking.
Thank you, but I can assure you all my wood is not straight! It can pose problems and that is why I never wanted my wife to stack. She never learned how to compensate when stacking crooked and short lengths.
Those woos stacks were burned within 6 years if my memory is right and those ends never were a problem...except in one spot where a woodchuck decided he should make a home there. It did not need a home after that episode. I have some stacks now that are 5 years old and all is well, even though the woodchucks are trying. Can hardly believe how many I have this year. Caught another one just a couple days ago.
Not all of Backwoods Savage stacks look all that good. ( I’ve stacked a few of them) I’m not one to get carried away with how my stacks look. My goal is if they don’t fall over before i need to burn them then I’m happy.
I take pride in my stacks, because I don’t want them to fall. Restacking is worse than stacking. It’s production time wasted. It’s more time before I get to my favorite part of picking the saws I’m going to use and cutting with them. If I have a cutting day ahead I might think about my saw choice for days. If I have stacking to do I’m not so enthusiastic and may have another cup of coffee before heading out. The system I use is cut for a few hours, split for a few hours, stack for a few hours. No more cutting until all the rounds are split and stacked. Split a few truckloads and stack a few truck loads. Stack em like you don’t want to touch them again until it’s time to burn or sell. Build a solid foundation of preferred length and save the stack killing shorts and uglies for the top layers. Some of my stacks are hateful and will fall no matter how careful I am. My painful lesson learned: if it’s stacked to the best of my ability and falls, reduce the height when restacking, or it will happen again.
I take pride in my stacking even though I have no neighbors that can see it. I don’t particularly like the job but I do enjoy looking at the stacks when they’re done. I like the way they look and that’s all that matters.
My stacks are indicative of how much time I had when I built them. As I’m sure many can relate/remember, regular life with raising a family, taking care of things around the house and working constantly doesn’t leave huge swaths of extra time to build perfect stacks every single time. So some of my stacks I’m proud to display, while others are best to be hidden in disgrace As long as they don’t topple before I’m ready to burn them, I’m happy enough. With each passing year (and a lot of observation and learning from others on this forum) my piles are growing exponentially larger and generally neater/more visually appealing. I’m sure little by little I’ll continue to improve on my stacking methods (especially since reaching the 3+ year plan and not being under pressure to amass large quantities in short order)
I don't take pride in my stacking but I do it well enough to keep it from falling over. It is never a thing of beauty, but it works. I do like stacking while splitting cause it gives me a break from the splitting.Split a load, stack a load, rinse and repeat.
I'm in the stacking takes too long category. Like Chud I like the saws & equipment. My problem is OCD. I stack as neatly as I can for the simple fact that I gotta look at them & it really sucks if they fall over. Only lost one that I can remember due to an end post that rotted off. I hate doing stuff twice. The woodshed with side poles to stack against is the best thing I ever did! Saves time & looks decent. I will throw a lot of crappy pieces to the side & give them away rather than screw around trying to make them fit.
I've had some stacks I've taken pics of and would share and some that I wouldn't. I picked 'yes' even though a sometimes/most times choice would be more accurate.
I do that with some, but there's a couple locals that stop by & help me out here & there. They never have enough wood, money etc. Keeps them coming around when I need grunt work done.
I'm in The Wood Wolverine line. It's not the stacking I take pride in, but the entire end result. I don't hate stacking as much as I use to. I think for me it's the last thing to do in the process, (besides covering) and I get anxious to get it done so I can stand back and enjoy the complete work. I do rotate more between bucking, splitting and stacking and not just do one for a great length of time. Though I do get in beast mode at times while I hand split and go ape s#@t on the rounds
