Firewood Rack

Finished product first, for those who don’t care about the rest. I wanted something to store a small portion of my wood pile inside to keep it dry and ready for our fireplace (we just bought this house last month, first time I’ve had a fireplace, old house did not have one)

Sample of the walnut I used (under that big chunk). The university in town cut down a bunch of trees that were dying, my dad salvaged the trunks and had the lumber milled about 10 years ago.

Fitting the pieces together, I knew I wanted a drawer to hold matches and other supplies for the fireplace.

Assembled and glued, I was winging it for the most part (I had seen a picture of this design online but wasn’t really following the dimensions given)

Drawer front cut to size. I left the knot there, I think it looks good.

Feet on. I cut them out of a piece of wenge that I had bought from the local lumber store because I liked the grain of it, the price made me cry a little. I wish I had a table sized slab of wenge, it is gorgeous.

I didn’t want to mar the drawer front with nail holes, so I chiseled a channel for the drawer itself (made from poplar). There are probably easier ways to do this but it works and only took me about 45 minutes. Got a workout in the process.

Gluing and clamping, if you know a woodworker and want to get them a gift, clamps are never unwelcome.

Assembled! Pretty happy with it at this point.

My dad has some twisted iron spindles, total cost at this point for supplies is $0 unless you count what I had spent on the wenge, but I bought that a year ago. Drilled the holes with my press first and then chiseled them square. Would LOVE one of those mortise bits/drills at some point.

First fitting, I ended up tweaking the spots for the supports on the upper shelf, I just drilled holes about halfway through the top shelf because the tops of the spindles were round already.

Finish time. This is tung oil. My first time working with it and I’m in love already. Slather on, wait 5 minutes, buff dry and let cure. Really makes the walnut pop.

Dat grain.

I liked the look of a live edge shelf, this piece looks awesome.

Buffed and cured, ready for final assembly.

That knot makes a nice focal point for the drawer.

Not sure how to totally get rid of those lines in the wood, they don’t really show where it sits in my living room, especially with things on the shelf. I’m a novice woodworker at best, but I keep practicing and learning.

Close up of the hardware my wife picked out, I think it’s awesome.

Matches loaded!

Candles applied.

Thanks for looking!