first time log homer builder

[houston-rebarman]

Hello all from sunny and rainy Houston Texas.
Nathan here, first time reader, first time writer, I have loved logged homes all my life and am now in a position in my life financially to build my DREAM HOME!

As you can imagine I have a ton of questions and I do not know where to start. As a young teen I helped my dad with construction, electrical, plumbing and a host of other projects around the house. So I know way around when it comes to the do it yourself issues. And understanding foundations and blueprints; well, that?s what I do for a living.

A question that comes to mind first is; Are there any members in Texas? And are there any in the Houston area that can offer some advice as to where to search for logs and so on?

Thanks Much!

Nathan?. Proud2007daddy@yahoo.com

[jrdavis]

Nathan,
Welcome and there are lots of ways to start looking.
If you're independently wealthy and money is not an object, start with the telephone pole companies. (in Your area, there is www.COBBlumber.com) but alot of the concepts that LHBA teaches, are in the classes, that I would highly recommend you take. You'll find alot of questions will be answered.
For example, my niece was at the house last week and her sister (long story, different father, doesn't claim us, etc....) built a KIT home. and they
ve had nothing but problems, windows settling, walls changing, dowel movement (not logs) even though they "hand picked them from the mill and they were kiln dried". In Washington state, the humidity is a little higher than a kiln, at least the last time I was there. ;~Q Anyway, I said, she used dowels, huh. " no they are logs, its a log home" . There is no talking to her but she warned me of shrinkage and problems, but wouldn't listen to any of my answers, things I learned form Skips Classes. So I just smiled and changed the subject to weather and yard work. sigh.... its the lead the horse to water saying.... and she wasn't thirsty.

Anyway. Welcome and read all you can, get to a class, and keep the dream alive.
James.

SW Iowa
Logless, but looking :+

[wwlivin]

Hi all,
I'm Wayne and I don't think I have introduced myself online. I am recently retired (winter of '05) to Mississippi, Starkville, home of Miss. State Univ. I took the Log home building course under Elsworth and Steve (excellent instructors!) in June'04 while living in Yakima Washinton.

I own approx 25 acres on a small lake 5 miles from town here in Starkville and have spent the last several years clearing land, road building, cutting trees for timbers and a storage building that will later be used as a lake pavilion/gathering place, and generally gearing up in preparation for cabin building. I am currently in the process of building a log cabin "skip style". In fact, just finished pouring my foundation piers this past week and have some forms for sale cheap if anyone in this area is interested. I will cut my trees for the cabin off my land this winter and will be debarking next spring, if all goes as planned.

I built a 34'x42' x 20' tall log shed/pavilion "skip style" last Nov. to test my block tackle concepts and to store my cabin 4"x10"x 20' timbers and lumber under. While pouring the foundation piers I also poured a outdoor privy foundation and will have it finished real soon. While I will have power and water when the cabin is built I am currently living in town and just use an electric generator and soon an outhouse while working on the cabin. The lake provides water for work purposes. I have lots of pictures and trying to learn how to make a website using photobucket. Once there I will share my experiances with anyone interested.

I took the class in '05 with seriousvol and recently drove to his place near Birmingham AL to see his progress. He is well ahead of me in the cabin building process and we talk log home building every time we get a chance. In addition to the class, I have gained a huge amount amount of knowledge from the LHBoNA forum.
wayne

[houston-rebarman]

Thanks for the info James -


Nathan -
proud2007daddy@yahoo.com