Do i need to dowel my corners?!

[Mervmaster]

building a 15x20 cabin in the woods using white oak(i know, i know, but it holds up well and there arent any coniferous trees on my property.). building using the scribe to fit method, saddle notches, long grooves, etc. do i really need to dowel the corners? i will absolutely dowel the spots around the windows and door frame, but i cant find in any of my books that doweling all corners is necessary. thanks in advance


-merv

[loghousenut]

Merv,

By doweling, do you mean a loose dowel that runs up through the logs but does not grip them?

[Mervmaster]

yes thats what i mean. wooden dowels offset from the corners to prevent lateral movement. i feel like i learned it, but i cant find it in any of my books or my notes.

[loghousenut]

With no dowel your notched corner will hold everything square as the logs settle as long as the logs are able to settle. At each window and doorway and at every upright log or post in the structure you will need to allow for settling and yet keep the wall logs vertical. It sounds like you will be using a loose dowel running upright through holes in the wall logs on each side of every opening.

PS... Nothing wrong with oak if the dimensions are right. Keep us posted.