A question about log length

[Morgan]

I have a question reguarding this style of building and log length. Is it possible to build a butt and pass log house that looks like a log house using short logs (12-15'). The reason for my asking is that I live in an area that has abundant hardwoods and no evergreen to speak of. The hardwoods here grow somewhat tall and I have access to all I can cut but out of 100 trees you may find one straight section that is over 20' long. I have very little money and would not be able to buy logs if I wanted to. some of you would say that if you are so short on money then how do you expect to build and the answer is that I can cover most every would be out of pocket expense in a labor trade with family that builds/ pours concrete for a living and has most everything I would need for the finishing of a home at hand. Also in the area I live codes and permits only apply inside city or town limits. Another question I have is if the classes offered through this association gives you instruction on paper as well as lecture. The reason for this question is that in 2 11 hour days I think I would be able to take approximately 15 minutes worth of the material down in notes and if relying on memory....well that idea scares the crap out of me. I dont see how I can afford to take the class and if the possibility of building with shorter than 30 - 40' logs is not an option then I dont think I would be able to apply what was learned.

If building with the shorter logs is a definate no then I would like to have an explanation if it is not too much trouble because in my mind once set and spiked to the row below it and fastened to the joining log I dont see the downfall to this.

THank you in advance for any insight on this.
Morgan.

[adubar]

Welcome Morgan,

Short logs? The LHBA's philosophy is to build with what you got. Some members have built homes with short logs. If memory serves me, one or two built piece on piece, as well. One thing that you should know is that a log does not have to be perfectly straight to build with. There is more than one way to source logs, so don't assume you can't afford them.

As for taking notes, the best advice I ever got in college is "make an outline." Notes should only be a framework for your memory. The two day class packages the information (and provides reference materials) in a manner that is easy to understand and remember, but mostly your learning is not limited to the two day class. With a membership into the LHBA, you get a life long network of people that can share and offer advice.

Something to remember too, if you feel you didn't get a square deal, there is the money back guarantee.

-A

[heavyopp]

Morgan - I just took the class. I personally took about half a page of notes. Maybe a page.

The reason being is I have been in the construction industry for over 20 years. There is nothing in the class that is brain surgery. They do provide a workbook which covers everything they discuss. If you have a fair knowledge of building you will be fine on limited notes.

Now this doesn't downplay the importance of the class. It is, for the most part, very basic. But there is also plenty of information you will take out of it.

Then there is the forum. Thats worth the price of admission. It's basically your get out of jail free card. You get stuck you will get an answer. You have a question -- there is help.

I would have paid the fee just for the forum. Too bad they don't offer this option. It would save the traveling expenses for those who are on a limited budget. It's just how it is.

Jer

[Kola]

I would have paid the fee just for the forum. Too bad they don't offer this option. It would save the traveling expenses for those who are on a limited budget. It's just how it is.

I would have to agree. I think this we be a great option for many follks, including me. 8)

Steve, Ellsworth? :wink:

Kola

[rreidnauer]

Hmmmm, perhaps, but then, you'd get a tidal wave of all those questions normally answered in the class, in addition to constant repeats of the very basic questions. (a real problem on another board I haunt) Then, there are just some things that can't be conveyed in the forum, as they can in an actual classroom.

At the risk of sounding pompous, if you can't afford to spend a few hundred on the travel costs, then how could you possibly afford to build a home?

[Kola]

At the risk of sounding pompous, if you can't afford to spend a few hundred on the travel costs, then how could you possibly afford to build a home?


According to the literature prsented, after taking the class you can build a log home for as little as $3000-5000. I could afford to build a loghome for that price even $10,000 would suffice. :)

kolaman

[Morgan]

Thanks y"all.

[heavyopp]

Hmmmm, perhaps, but then, you'd get a tidal wave of all those questions normally answered in the class, in addition to constant repeats of the very basic questions. (a real problem on another board I haunt) Then, there are just some things that can't be conveyed in the forum, as they can in an actual classroom.

At the risk of sounding pompous, if you can't afford to spend a few hundred on the travel costs, then how could you possibly afford to build a home?



I would think that those simple questions could be handled either on a web page or maybe even a mailing with the workbook.

To me it wasn't the money for the trip just the logistics. I'm not sure I needed to be there to learn what I learned. Now don't take this the wrong way. I'm happy I went. I will build a home using what I learned. Just some people took more from it than others. I would say that half of the students at the class I attended have never mixed a bag of cement. The class was perfect for them as it was billed to be.

I don't think they could do an internet only thing. Just because it's a huge commitment on their part.

If they where to take money for a lifetime membership to the forum they would then be commited to keeping the forum active for the defined lifetime. The way it is handled now works for them. They provide a very real class for a fee. It's not cheap, expecially when you add the travel expenses, but it's fair.

They then give you a membership to a forum for free. What this does is allow the forum to end if need be. You got your moneys worth from the class. The forum is a bonus. I'm not saying this is their plan. Just that it gives them an out. Hey we all get tired of doing the same old thing and if Ellsworth and Steve decide they want to do something different they can with no one to say squat about it.

A pretty smart group of guys if you ask me.

Jer

[kyle]

In my opinion if they offered the class via internet or in a workbook mailing most people would learn just enough to be dangerous.

People would skip over important parts. Don't change a thing Ellsworth and Steve. Keep the class!

As for note taking in the class. I took the class pre workbook manual so you had to takes notes. Can't remember how many pages I took but it was a decent amount. IMO when you take notes it lets you understand the concepts better but remember notes are meant to be a reference tool not a word for word recap. But now with the class manual it should be a lot less writing intensive.

[adubar]

Kyle, I'd have to agree with you.

Seems that e-learning is best for subjects that don't have a heck of a lot or ramifications if you don't get it right the first time, or that lead to a certification that test only "knowledge" not "know-how."

If I build my house wrong, it could kill me. If I use the wrong syntax in a 'puter program, I can always edit and recompile it--or delete it.

In the end, experience is everything!

heavyopp,

Something you may not have noticed about the class were the various ways that techniques and concepts were demonstrated, explained or shown. A purely audio visual interface, even of the best new E-learning suite would not be able to pack as much information. Probably the greatest asset to the class as/where it is currently taught is the very good example of the building techniques and the results that can be achieved demonstrated in Skip's home. I really don't think that you could translate what you see there to a computer screen.

I guarantee you that if you wrote everything down verbatim, showed it to a stick framer who has mixed cement, they will build you something other than what the LHBA teaches.

-A

[heavyopp]

Adubar --- Like said before I'm not unhappy that I went. I agree that seeing Skips home in person puts alot of what was taught in perpective. I found myself using the house as a reference as Steve or Ellsworth where explaining a subject.

Jer

[akemt]

Morgan (your thread's been hijacked! :wink: ),

Here is a house built with short logs pictured on the "student log home pictures" page you can access from the LHBA home page: http://www.loghomebuilders.org/log-homes-20.htm

Obviously it can be done! I think it'll take a bit of extra pre-planning or reading about piece-on-piece building in particular, but if it gets you a house without a mortgage --Fabulous! I think the trade-off is well worth the effort.

Best of luck,

[Kola]

looks like they ran some verticals then filled in with short logs...I really like the look too.

kola

[ponyboy]

I always thought with small logs something like this turret

http://www.loghomebuilders.org/log-home-pictures-rc-2332.jpg

but in th shape of a cross. ( like the red cross ) would be nice.

[rocklock]

I found this log home on the internet. The logs are short. They used the dovetail to link the rooms together. You can do the same thing with butt and pass. I think the longest log is about 23 feet long. You can see that they are fairly crooked, and the chinking is large in places... There is a ton of way to link logs together... You don't need 40' long Douglas Fir to make a log home. Short logs just means that you must be a little more creative.
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s274/flintlock1/sideview.jpg

[kyle]

http://www.backwoodshome.com/articles/ainsworth27.html

If I had to work with short logs then vertical logs is how I would build. Click the above link to see an awesome home and story. Make sure you click on the link at the bottom of the article to see more pics of her bigger log home.