How to build a covered firewood caddy.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

1x4 pressure treated wood
2x4 pressure treated wood
wire mesh 20 gauge
3" screws
1.5" screws with rubber washers
poultry nails (u nails)
roofing material of choice
circular saw
hammer
drill
jig saw
leveler
marker (I use a small sharpie)

Step 1

The first and foremost thing that you need to do is determine what size that you will be building your Covered Firewood Caddy. In the case of mine, it is 6' long and 30 inches wide. Now, because in have the end caps and the "legs" on the ends, it really is 6' 8" long, so make sure to take this into account. The base and the middle is going to be the exact same dimensions and your roof can be built with overhang.
Step 2

Now that you have all your measurements, it is time to go get all the materials that you need. Go to your favorite hardware or home improvement store for this. Mine is Lowe's, so I will be referring to them. When buying lumber, I typically try to buy in in intervals that I can work with. If I need 2 6 foot boards, I will usually get one 12 footer. Or if I need 2.5' cut, I will get a 10 footer if I need 4. I think that you get the picture there.

While there, make sure that you get the roofing of your choice. I used asphalt roof and cut it in half.
Step 3

Now, it is time to start building. I like to make all cuts first. So, in the case of this plan, I used 30" wide, 6' long, and 6' foot front with 8 foot rear on the roof. I also used 2 3' 1x4 supports on each side on the roof and an 8' 1x4 on the back and the front to complete the roof. make sure that when you are cutting to also measure the last piece and each board is not an exact 12 foot board (or whatever size you bought)
Step 4

Now that all of your wood is cut, it is time to put the base together. This is a very easy task and will require 3 6' 2x4s and 6 30" 2x4s. Also you will need 12 total screws for this task. You will also need 6' 3" of the mesh 20 gauge wire and several of the poultry nails.

Start out by standing the 3 6' 2x4s on their sides. once these are laid out, grab on of the 30" 2x4s and place 2 screws halfway in on both ends of the board. Then measure the board and at exactly 15 inches place 2 more screws. When this is done, you will want to attached the 3 6' 2x4s and repeat on the opposite end. Once done with that, you will then add a 30" 2x4 on both ends of the platform laying face down running the width. The reason for this is to provide lift and keep it where air can get underneath. Once the 2 is added you will add both of the others at the 22.5" mark from the interior of the 2x4 you just attached. This will give a total of 4 30" 2x4s and allow for more added support as you should be screwing this into all 3 boards with 2 screws each.

Once done with that, you will then add the mesh wire to the other side nailing it in with the poultry nails. You want to make sure that you have at least a 2" hang over on each end that can also be tacked in. This too adds support to the "bed" or platform.
Step 5

Once the bed is assembled, it is best to go ahead and build the second bed exactly like the first one with the exception of the 4 30" 2x4s on the bottom. This one will not have it. Once assembled, it is time to connect them. Once you firgure out how far apart you want them, it is time to bring in the 6' and 8' 2x4s. I recommend about 54" from bottom or first platform to the top of the second one. Once you know, it is time to set the boards and screw the 6's in the front and the 8's in the back. Now this is actually done on the sides of the platforms, so make sure that you have a helper for this. Do not make the mistake of actually putting them on front and back. Once these are set, you are ready to add the roof.
Step 6

The roof is actually easy. Once you have picked your roof out, you need to cut to fit. In my case, I had an 8' pice and cut in half giving me 2 4' pieces. Take one of the 3' 1x4s to measure the angle that you want to have your board. I once again recommend that you go from top back of 8 footer to top front of 6 footer. This will allow for rain to come done. Cut the measurement and then attached the 2 1x4s on each side of the 2x4s and repeat process at other end. Once that is done, you will lay the 8 foot 1x4 length wise and attach with 2 screws into the 2x4.

Once that is done, lay the roof on top overlapping the enough to attach together. Add at least 3 screws in the upper portion and lower portion per sheet to make sure wind will not rip it off. Once done with roof, install in place and load wood.