FOR YOUR RUSTIC

PROJECTS:

If you have a CB radio, talk to a log hauler (18-wheeler driver), and ask questions.  Chances are the driver would be happy to talk to you and give you information.

Periodically, road maintenance crews must cut down trees from the sides of roads.  Find out who does it and contact them for information.

Place a small ad, usually for free, in one of your local budget newspapers offering to do free removal of fallen trees and branches, or simply list a "wanted" add for whatever wood you are looking for.

Look in your local newspaper classified ads, or in the Yellow Pages under "firewood".  Perhaps the person who sells firewood might be able to help you, or know of someone else in the area.

Place a free ad on Craigs List (www.craigslist.com).

The internet is a great source for woodworking forums, newsgroups, do-it-yourself information, and free classified ads.

Drive, bike or walk around your neighborhood to see what's around.  You might not only find what you want, but make new friends too!

Find out what day of the month that the garbage haulers pick up leaves, branches, and stuff like that.  They will have it already cut up and on the curb for you!

Contact whoever is in charge of maintaining your city parks and see if you could make a deal with them. Maybe you could volunteer for clean-up after a storm.

If you're looking for willow to bend, it grows everywhere, in almost every state in the US, including Alaska, and way down south. Carry your pruning shears with you at all times, and a folding saw comes in really handy when taking the dog for a walk....hint, hint...just put it in your back pocket,  But it might be considered a dangerous weapon in some states, so be careful.

If you have a website, be sure to explain and list what you need.

ORGANIZING YOUR WOOD

Throughout the years, I have found it necessary to get somewhat organized with my wood for future projects.

For small twigs and branches, an easy way to keep them organized is to bundle them, or stand them upright in a cardboard box or bucket, or place them in paper garden bags. 

Flat Twine
Organize and bundle your twigs and branches for future rustic projects without harming the bark or wood.

It is helpful to bundle small branches for a couple of reasons.  The twigs won't get tangled up with other branches so easily, and they will dry to whatever shape you bundle them as.  Cut a few pieces of rope, I use jute but you can use whatever you have.  You can either use one continuous piece of rope, or cut several, and lay them down on the ground.   Place the twigs over the ropes and tie.

If you have green and wet branches you can use rope to bend them as they dry.  For example, if you wish to make some bent willow chairs in the future, it's easier to bend the twigs when they are green and wet rather than later when they are dry.  When the ropes are removed the branch will stay in whatever shape you made it.  This is also a good way to make wreaths.

STORAGE SOLUTIONS

If you are not going to work with your logs and branches right away, you will need a place to store it.  If the wood you have is green, you should let it dry before working with it.  Keep the following points in mind when you are drying green wood:

• Do not lay wood directly on the ground, as bugs and worms will quickly infest the bark and wood, and the wood will absorb moisture from the ground.

• Keep wood sheltered from direct sun light, rain, and snow.

• For peeled logs, you may have to wipe with a little bleach to prevent mildew from forming if they are going to be stored indoors. Another way to prevent mildew is to leave freshly peeled and wet logs  outside in the sun for a few days to quickly dry the outside of the logs.

• Always leave air space between logs when stacking.

• To prevent severe checking or cracking, leave the bark on the log until it is dry.

A very simple rack can be made from just six 2x4's and four cement blocks.  There will be sufficient air-flow between the ground and the rack as long as you place the rack on top of four cement blocks.  Then simply lay your logs across the 2x4's as shown.  For added stability, you may want to put a few more cement blocks under the middle boards.  You can cover your log pile with a tarp.  Stack your logs so that water will run off.

You can also build a tall rack with 2x4's.  Used wood pallets make great racks also.  Just add some 2x4's to the outside of the pallet. 

This is a good way to separate different stock.  Be sure that you don't leave gaps on the top shelf, as any gaps will get filled with snow, ice, and water as shown in the left diagram.  Be sure to tie your tarp as tight as you can so that it lasts longer.  Tarps that are loose get blown around by the wind and wear out very quickly.  The more taunt the tarp, the better.

A pre-made "canopy" I have purchased in the past works very well for wood storage and makes a great place to allow your wood to dry, as it provides good air flow while keeping the elements off your wood.

Here are a few tips for setting one of these

babies up so that it STAYS up.

• Buy the 4-pole model (not the 3-pole) if you live  where snow fall is an issue.

• Buy the side kit.

• Set the canopy up where branches will not be rubbing up against the roof or sides, as this will very quickly destroy the tarp.

• Make the tarp as taunt as possible so that it will last longer.  If the tarp is loose, the wind will keep whipping it back and fourth and it will wear out prematurely.

• Use ropes on the roof poles for added support.  It doesn't take much snow to totally collapse one of these, or the roof will sag and fill up quickly.  See the photo above to see how I tied ropes to the roof.  This also makes it easier to remove snow in the winter, as all you have to do is, from inside the canopy, use a broom to push up in the center of the ropes and the snow will slide right off.

• Get a big roll of 6-ply plastic to lay on the ground.  This will help keep some of the ground moisture from getting absorbed by your wood.

• Double-tie the bungee cords for connecting the roof tarp and the side enclosure kit.  When you first slide the ball through the bungee, hold open the loop and slide it through the loop for a tighter fit.  There will still be plenty of "give" when the wind blows.

• Use 12" spikes to anchor  the pole feet.

• Secure each corner on the inside with rope and stakes by placing a rope on the ceiling pole and the stake in the ground of the opposite corner or pole.  I used re-rod for my stakes.

• Secure each outside corner with ropes and stakes, pulling tightly.

If you have any questions, or if I can be of any help, just let me know.

Soon I will be making a canopy from PVC pipe and a tarp to cover my boat for the winter.  I'll let you know how it turns out.....

Fast Framer Universal Storage Shed Framing Kit

No angles to cut!