How to Make an Industrial Style Log Rack

Turn common materials found at your local home improvement center into an industrial log rack.

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Build your own industrial style log rack

Industrial Log Rack

Create your own industrial style log rack

Photo by: Sam Henderson

Sam Henderson

Materials Needed:

  • (5) 2"x4"x8' pine boards
  • (80) 2-1/2" wood screws
  • table saw or circular saw
  • measuring tape
  • pencil
  • carpenter's square
  • clamps, minimum 2 foot width
  • wood putty
  • sand paper
  • stain and/or sealer
  • (4) 1-1/4"x1-1/4"x6' perforated steel angle uprights, 12 gauge
  • drill and 3/16" bit
  • (24) 2-1/2" lag bolts, 1/4" wide
  • (24) 1/4" washers
  • (16) 1" lag bolts, 1/4" wide
  • wrench and socket
  • (2) 3" stationary casters, min. 300 lb capacity
  • (2) 3" swivel casters, min. 300 lb capacity

Building the Top and Base

Cut the 2”x4” boards to (4) 2”x4”x23”, (14) 2”x4”x20”, (4) 2”x4”x6” (Image 1). On a flat work surface place two of the 2”x4”x23” boards 20 inches apart, standing on the 2” side. Place two of the 2”x4”x20” boards between them, perpendicular, to form a square. Make sure the edges line up flush and clamp them together on both ends of the 23” boards. Insert five of the 2”x4”x20” boards in the square laying flat on the 4” side. Space them evenly apart with about a 1/2” gap between each board.
Use two wood screws to attach the 23” boards to the upright 20” boards to secure the frame together first. (Image 2) Then use two wood screws for each of the flat boards to screw through the 23” boards into the 20” flat boards. Sink the screws slightly and fill with wood putty. Repeat for the remaining pieces of wood, except the 6” pieces.

Finishing the Top and Base

Sand the wood putty to make it even and then stain and/or seal the wood as desired. (Image 1) Allow to dry completely before proceeding. Tip: if your log rack will remain outdoors, be sure to use pressure treated lumber. Determine which piece will be the base and attach the 2”x4”x6” pieces to the bottom of the base using wood screws. (Image 2)

Adding the Hardware

Stand the top and bottom on their sides about 6 feet apart. Place one of the uprights on one of the corners of the base and top. With the bottom of the upright flush with the bottom of the base, drill holes in the wood at two of the perforations leaving an empty hole between them. On the adjacent side of the upright drill a hole in the wood at the hole which corresponds with the hole you left undrilled on the other side. Insert 2-1/2” lag bolts with washers in these holes and tighten them with a wrench and socket. (Image 1) Repeat for the top end of the upright, making the top of the upright flush with the top of the wood top. Repeat this process for the remaining three sides.
With the rack still on its side, place the two stationary casters in the corners of what will be the front of the rack. Drill holes into the wood through the holes of the casters. Attach with 1” lag bolts. (Image 2) Repeat this process for the swivel wheels at what will be the back of the rack.

Loading the Wood

Build your own industrial style log rack

Industrial Log Rack

Create your own industrial style log rack

Photo by: Sam Henderson

Sam Henderson

Build your own industrial style log rack

Industrial Log Rack

Create your own industrial style log rack

Photo by: Sam Henderson

Sam Henderson

Stand your rack upright and begin loading. The design of the rack will allow for logs which are 21”-23” to nestle between the uprights and prevent logs from falling out of the sides. The space between can be used for logs which are slightly shorter or slightly longer. 

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