You don’t need a complicated woodworking plan to get firewood off the ground. With a few 2x4s, some exterior screws and basic tools, you can build a simple rack in an afternoon.
This version ends up roughly 4 feet wide and 3 feet tall, plenty for a backyard fire pit or fireplace supply.
What You’ll Need
Materials:
- Four 8-foot 2x4s
- 3-inch exterior-rated wood screws
- Pencil
- Optional exterior wood sealer or stain
Tools from Acme Tools:
- DEWALT 20V MAX Brushless 1/2-Inch Drill/Driver Kit – for drilling and driving screws
- DEWALT 7-1/4-Inch Lightweight Circular Saw – for cutting the 2x4s
- Milwaukee 25-Foot Wide Blade Tape Measure – for marking cuts
- Milwaukee 7-Inch Rafter Square – for marking straight, square cut lines
You’ll also want safety glasses and hearing protection while cutting.
Simple Cut List
Cut your 2x4s into:
- Two 48-inch pieces for the bottom rails
- Four 36-inch pieces for the upright sides
- Four 15-inch pieces for the end supports
Don’t worry if you want the rack a little bigger or smaller. The basic design is easy to adjust.
Step 1: Measure and Cut
Use your tape measure and rafter square to mark each piece.
Cut everything with the circular saw before assembly. Having all the pieces ready makes the rest of the project much quicker.
Step 2: Build the Two Ends
Take two of your 36-inch uprights and connect them with two 15-inch pieces, one toward the bottom and another near the top.
Repeat with the other two uprights.
You should now have two matching end frames.
Step 3: Add the Bottom Rails
Stand the two end frames upright and position them opposite each other.
Connect them using the two 48-inch 2x4s. These become the long rails that your firewood will sit on.
Keep the rails slightly above ground level. Getting the wood off the ground helps promote airflow underneath the stack.
Step 4: Tighten Everything Up
Check that the rack is standing square, then securely drive your exterior screws into each connection.
For extra rigidity, you can use leftover 2x4 scraps to add small corner braces.
Step 5: Load the Firewood
That’s it.
Place the rack on a firm, level surface and start stacking your firewood between the uprights. Keep the stack stable and don’t pile wood higher than the rack can safely contain.
A few boards, a handful of screws and an afternoon later, you have a simple firewood rack, and a pretty good excuse to use the tools sitting in your garage.
