Wow. I had a lengthy "this is how I stack wood" post typed up and the website hung for some reason.<sigh>
Anyhow, I'll try it again...
The first thing I do is make my bottom support as level lengthwise and crosswise as I possibly can. I stack on 2"x4"x12's lain across five 8x16 inch hollow concrete blocks. A slight depression in the center of the support is ok.
I start stacking in the middle of the support. As I start stacking a pile it will get to a height where I naturally start spreading the pile's base out a little more...then work on the height a little more....spread it out more...work on the height some more....etc.,. By starting from the middle this causes the stack to lean inward against itself. I use cribs (log cabin cross stacking) at the ends of my stacks and they too lean in a bit against the pile...I build them up as I build the pile itself....sometimes the center of the pile might be a foot or two taller than what the ends are as I build the stack.
As I stack I try to center the splits on the support. My wood lengths are not exact...some shorter, some longer so I don't strive for a "flush" side but rather a balanced stack that will be stable. Even trying to keep things even splits will get out of line and start veering off to a side. This is where being able to walk all around the stack is nice. I'll back off and check the stack from the end. When I figure out where a split is sticking too far out in one direction or another I'll tap it in towards the other side using another split. I'll get the out of line splits adjusted and resume stacking. I do this eyeballing of the stack several times as I build the stack.
During the stacking process I will stop all along and gently rock the stack side to side to "settle the splits in" a bit.
Stack your wood with the barkside up. If you stack the wood with the bark on the bottom it will literally form a cup that will hold water against the wood...especially as the wood dries and the bark separates...it will be a cup sitting there waiting to catch water. With the bark on top it will act like a miniature roof that will let the water run off the wood.
I like the stacks to be broadside to the prevailing winds.
This is some of what I do with my stacks...I'm no pro, matter of fact this is my first year stacking...so take what I say with a grain of salt!
Best wishes,
Ed
Anyhow, I'll try it again...
The first thing I do is make my bottom support as level lengthwise and crosswise as I possibly can. I stack on 2"x4"x12's lain across five 8x16 inch hollow concrete blocks. A slight depression in the center of the support is ok.
I start stacking in the middle of the support. As I start stacking a pile it will get to a height where I naturally start spreading the pile's base out a little more...then work on the height a little more....spread it out more...work on the height some more....etc.,. By starting from the middle this causes the stack to lean inward against itself. I use cribs (log cabin cross stacking) at the ends of my stacks and they too lean in a bit against the pile...I build them up as I build the pile itself....sometimes the center of the pile might be a foot or two taller than what the ends are as I build the stack.
As I stack I try to center the splits on the support. My wood lengths are not exact...some shorter, some longer so I don't strive for a "flush" side but rather a balanced stack that will be stable. Even trying to keep things even splits will get out of line and start veering off to a side. This is where being able to walk all around the stack is nice. I'll back off and check the stack from the end. When I figure out where a split is sticking too far out in one direction or another I'll tap it in towards the other side using another split. I'll get the out of line splits adjusted and resume stacking. I do this eyeballing of the stack several times as I build the stack.
During the stacking process I will stop all along and gently rock the stack side to side to "settle the splits in" a bit.
Stack your wood with the barkside up. If you stack the wood with the bark on the bottom it will literally form a cup that will hold water against the wood...especially as the wood dries and the bark separates...it will be a cup sitting there waiting to catch water. With the bark on top it will act like a miniature roof that will let the water run off the wood.
I like the stacks to be broadside to the prevailing winds.
This is some of what I do with my stacks...I'm no pro, matter of fact this is my first year stacking...so take what I say with a grain of salt!
Best wishes,
Ed
how the heack do you guys get your stacks so neat and square looking????
