Alcove Log Store

[wobblycogs]

Hi folks

I'm finally getting round to putting our house back together after spending the last 2 years gutting and fixing it. One of the things we've fitted is a log burning stove and we thought it would be nice to have a supply of logs next to the stove. So, with that in mind I've come up with this:

It stands about 900 tall and 1100 wide and will be made from 20mm oak. The draws are 150 tall and will hold kindling / matches / gloves / etc (and junk probably). I think the open space should give us enough logs for two or three evenings worth of fires.

I'd love to hear comments on the design before I go and start butchering some tree. I've been doing my homework and got the idea for the end panels from one of Dans (Brad Naylors) excellent WIP posts (https://www.ukworkshop.co.uk/forums/post345489.html?hilit=scribing skirting#p345489). My main concern though is how to get the end panels scribed into the wall but also flush with the side of the cabinet and then how to fix them to the cabinet - I think it'll have to be glue and prayer as I don't want to drill through the front.

I've also made up a couple of shots of the internals in case I've made some silly mistake in there that will make the whole project fail miserably. Note, the front to back rails will be fixed at the front but free to move at the back to allow for expansion - something I saw Norm do a couple of weeks ago.

As always, thanks for any help

 

[RogerM]

It'll certainly do the job. We keep ours in a wicker basket next to the log burner and it's amazing how much sawdust/loose bark/dead insects etc is left in the bottom of the basket. I suspect that you'll get the same detritus falling from yours which will end up on the floor if you are not careful, so I think I'd be tempted to put in a "threshold" which need only be about 1" high to keep the debris from going over the floor. It could be removable - fitted like barge boards between slots - to make brushing it out easier. Just imho.

 

[ben2]

Hi

We have something similar in our kitchen for our wood fired Rayburn.

We had 2 wicker baskets made up (approx 600 x 300 x 500) so they sit side by side - its about a much as you can carry when full, and they sit on a sliding "table" on very sturdy drawer runners at the base. It works really well.

Makes it a lot easier to manhandle the logs, and easier to clean afterwards.

Regards

Mark

 

[wobblycogs]

I like the idea of a short threshold, I'll see if I can incorporate one into the design. I think I feel something with magnets coming on.

Our currently supplier of logs (timports) ships them in net bags, very handy but makes me feel a bit guilty from the environments point of view. One bag in each hand is about the most I can carry at a time because they really cut into your hands. I estimate this will hold about 5 bags worth.

Any comments on the design in general? My client (LOML) wants the logs on show and I think from a practical point of view this makes sense but any ideas on ways I can improve the look will be gratefully received. There's no other furniture in the room to match so it's a chance to create a style.

 

[shipbadger]

From past experience, if you are not using the wood burner in the warmer months of the year be carefull with any logs you leave indoors. I burn logs on an open fire on a not very regular basis and the logs in the past often remained in their basket/alcove store. If you've bought well seasoned logs all sorts of things can come creeping out and you will have a pile of sawdust from things munching away. In my part of the world firewood is often from dead or damaged trees so the insect invasion started before they became logs. I know they look nice all stacked up ready for that first fire of the autumn but ......

Tony Comber

 

[wobblycogs]

You're not a million miles from me if you're in the Forest of Dean but if I had to guess I'd say our logs come from France! Point taken about the bug infestation though. I was planning on de-barking any logs we leave over the summer and making sure they are thoroughly dry before they are stacked e.g. leave them up against a radiator for a week. I'm sure some critters will survive but that's the chance we take, it's either that or leave the extra logs in the cellar during the summer.