The nine week log home

[ajax]

Hi All:

I'm taking the first class in November and have a million questions. Of course I am trying to hold all of them for the class. Well....maybe except for this one.

From all I have read on this site, seasoning logs before the start of construction is best. However, when I read the article about the family who built their home in 9 weeks (Ken & Diane) following a plan secured from Skip, it brought up the question of seasoning.

The article indicated that they cut the logs on one day and then used them a short time later when they started to build the walls.

From what I have read, it looks like it is best to wait for the logs to season before using them. This looks to be a year to 2 years???

If you don't wait for the logs to season, like Ken & Diane in the article, do you have to plan around any potential problems regarding the logs not being dried/seasoned?

Is it a disadvantage to use the logs so quickly after being cut down?

Coming in from New York and I definately have a fear of flying......the airplane kind of flying.....LOL

John

[rreidnauer]

Hey John,

You got it mixed up a bit. Seasoned or not doesn't matter with this form of construction. In fact there are a few advantages (and yes, disadvantages) to building with green logs. When using green, you can get right to it, as fast as you get them peeled, you can stack them, and there will not be any settling problems. Also, being green, and thereby a bit softer, the pinning process taught is easier to do, not to mention the following seasoning will strengthen the bond even further. Disadvantages? Well, you'll be working with much heavier logs.

The 2 year plan is about planning/preparing/tool gathering, not seasoning. Also, it's not a "written in stone", rather just a guideline. I thought I'd build right away too, before the class, but here I am 2 1/2 years later still not building, and probably won't until year three, but I'll tell you what, that time flew by, and I was able to square away a lot of financial doings, gather plenty of tools for really cheap prices, and given myself plenty of time to nail down my house design.

Oh, and don't worry about the flight John. The drive to the airport is far more risky. ;-) (that's coming from a pilot BTW)

[ajax]

Thanks Rod..............there is so much to this. With all I read I never came across that. Another reason I mentioned it had to do with one of the books I read suggested by the association. That would be the book by Cindy and Art Thiede on log homes and their stories.

Several people in the book made the comment that they wish they had taken shrinkage into consideration, and I tied that in with unseasoned logs, etc.

Well I drive regularly in Yonkers (Just north of NY City) and in New Jersey, so it would have to be pretty rough on the road to the airport to be worse than those two areas. Believe me, flying is what gets me. I would go in a New York minute for a flight in a jet fighter, but commercial jets just scare the daylights out of me.

That's why I am cheating just about when I come out for the class. My brother lives in Milwaukee. So I am driving out and taking a jet from there......LOL.

John

[JeffandSara]

Hi, John--

Love the puppy photo in your avatar. : )

You didn't read anything about using fresh-cut logs being okay because most other log-building techniques don't believe it is. There are lots of reasons for that opinion, and those will be discussed at the seminar. As Rod said (Hi, Rod) there are pros and cons to using fresh logs, but one of the beauties of the log building philosophy you're about to learn is that it will allow you greater latitude in making use of the logs you have available to you. More than that, however, is the fact that the method is both simpler and less-problematic than other log building methods. I think it'll all make more sense after you've finished the seminar and visited Skip's home in person. Sit back and TRY to relax on your trip. : ) When you come back, you'll have access to the member's section, and that will help you put the pieces together, too, I think.

Enjoy! : )


Sara

PS... Oh, and as a small clarification. It wouldn't have been a "plan" from Skip that the builders you mentioned used, unless it was a very recent project. It's the technique/method they're going to teach you. Until just recently, all of us who've built our homes designed our own plans (with or without the assistance of architects/engineers) based on the parameters of Skip's log home philosophy.

[ajax]

Thanks you guys.........can't wait.

Oh my puppy is Chauncey, an American Yellow Lab.

[2 cents]

True to my nickname, I'm adding my 2 cents. ;p
I think the reason you don't hear of any kit builders using the Skip method is because kit builders like to assemble the kit on their site, disassamble it, and then reassemble it on the customer's site. With the method taught here, once you get that house put together, it is NOT coming apart!

By the way, Ajax was the name of our dog when we picked him up from the "pound" (Humane Society)....... we changed it though. His new name is Nick...... my husband thought of it while shaving..... LOL....!!!

2 cents

[mrgripe]

Hey John,

Figure from your post that you're living around NYC. I am building just north of you in Delaware County. If you want to come visit sometime to check out the progress after you take the class you are more than welcome...plan to start lifting my logs in the late Spring next year. -Rayan

[ajax]

Hey Rayan:

Thanks and yes I would gladly make a visit and help out if need be.

Actually I am in upstate NY, well upstate in relation to NY City...lol.....From some people I met down around the city, they see Monticello as being upstate, so I guess its all relative.

I am in the Clifton Park area, just south of Saratoga by about 10 minutes, and north of Albany by about 15 minutes. My work takes me up and down the Thruway and such and into Jersey, but I have been in Ulster, Sullivan and the Catskills in general often enough. So with all that traveling, a trip to Delaware would be a short ride for me.

Should I just pass a comment to you come spring in this forum??

John

[grannyk]

I once dated a real "dog of a guy" nicknamed Ajax.
I was surely hoping it was not him who was going to be in our class.
Whew........

[Eric Clapner]

He wasn't a big guy with a bald head and earring, was he?

Oh, wait...that was Mr. Clean. Sorry.

Scott

[ajax]

Grannyk and Eric Clapton.........errr......Clapner

Boy I go from a dog of a guy to a big bald guy who cleans floors in one day.......lol

Actually it is written Ajax but is pronounced Iyax....Ajax is a Dutch soccer team that plays out of Amsterdam.

Will be out for the November 10th class............can't wait......Oh and Joycelyn Elders thrown in to boot...........made my day..

John

[Eric Clapner]

Well, Grannyk left a hanging curveball out over the plate so I swung from the heels...

My wife and I will be in the Nov. 10th class too. Should be a lot of fun (at least after we get done with the long plane ride).

Scott

[ajax]

You guys are coming in from South Florida huh?

I'm coming in from upstate NY. See you at the class.

John

[Klapton]

It's too bad the legendary Klapton and Eric Clapner won't be in the same class...

[Eric Clapner]

Out of pure curiosity, how many people are there in a typical class?

Klapton, that picture of the mountain on your site is spectacular. Where is the mountain?

Scott

[Klapton]

Mt. Index is east of Monroe, where the class is held. Just follow Hwy 2 toward Stevens Pass. This beautiful LHBA Member built home is along hwy 2 as well: http://logworksnw.com/

Oh, and I highly recommend stopping at Zeke's for the Honeymooner's Special. It's a burger that's big enough for two, or lots of fun for a guy like me, lol.

Oh yeah... and Klapton is the name of my Bard from EverQuest. Here's his picture: http://users.rcn.com/klapton/KlaptonCropped.jpg

[ChainsawGrandpa]

[quote=Eric Clapner]Out of pure curiosity, how many people are there in a typical class?

Dunno. From what I remember, the class I took had close to thirty people.
The table was full of people, and the pews were also full. I believe Steve
and Ellsworth like to keep the classes smaller than that.

-Rick

[Kola]

Hey, what is all this talk about seasoned logs? I didn't know you had to salt and pepper them. ouch...bad joke.

BUT...I think the class is about 30 folks. There is plenty or room and they have good sound and a big screen.

btw.. I am getting confused... there is a Klapton and a Clapner. whatdaheck?

Anyway I hope y'all have fun at the class and try to leave some time to browse the area.

Kola

[Eric Clapner]

Sorry for the bad movie reference (or reference to the bad movie - take your pick).

Kola, you mentioned that we should leave some time to browse the area. Any things that are an absolute must see?

My wife and I are flying up for the Nov. 10-11 class. We get into Seatac at about noon on Friday and leave late morning on Monday. I'm definitely taking her to the Pike Place market and maybe the Museum/Space Needle area, just because she's never been to Seattle. However, if there are any can't miss things to do in the Monroe area, I'd love to hear about them.

Scott

[grannyk]

Sorry Ajax,
I didn't figure you were the same guy. It will be nice meeting all of you in a few weeks in
real time. We have been looking over an area called Lake of the Oaks as potential buidling site.
it's a fairly underdeveloped 61 acre lake not too far from here. I am sure that they do have their share of building codes
etc which is why we are waiting to decide for sure to buy there until after we have taken the class.
Quote online about it:
Lake of the Oaks

Recreational living year-round or weekend getaway.
Enjoy amenities, 3/4-mi. long lake, sand beach, swimming,
boating, fishing, lovely wooded area.
Make the water's edge your own.
________________________________________________
They don't allow more than 10hp engines on the boats so it's mostly a fishermans lake.

We are coming in from midstate ILL on the 16th and leaving on the 20th.
We are staying the last two nights at the Lodge built by a former LHBA student
which I am hoping will inspire us! LOL
I am worried about the walk up the big hill though as husband and I
both have major back issues. I am hoping there is some form of transportation
for those who have trouble with the climb???
(Called the number posted for questions but got a machine and
we have no answer yet on this) Does anyone know if there is a shuttle up the hill?

[Kola]

No worries grannyk, Ellsworth and Steve drive folks up (and down) the hill and they will also haul up your lunch coolers etc.
have fun. Kola

btw I stayed at the Wallace Falls Lodge. It was great.

[JD]

Grannyk,
No problem getting up the hill. If you need it, one of the instructors will give you a lift.
Enjoy the class,
JD

[Kola]

Eric, I didn't do anything too fancy but I did take a scenic drive to Snonomish(sp?). I also checked out antique stores and the lumber mill. I went in the spring and was blown away by all the blossoms and stuff. Some other folks will most likely chime in about places and things to see. You can take some ferrys onto some of the islands too! Have a blast!

Kola

[Eric Clapner]

Kola:

Unfortunately, we'll probably be forced to restrict our sightseeing to Friday afternoon, simply because we have a mid-day departure on Monday. I doubt we'll have time to check out anything early Monday morning.

I need to dig through the old forum posts, but I thought I read somewhere about a hiking trail in the Monroe area with some really spectacular views and a waterfall. That might be cool...

Scott

[Kola]

I think this will help, scroll up/down to find Rod's post:

http://www.loghomebuilders.org/weeks-class#comment-17683

Rod could probally give you some more info.

Kola

[mrgripe]

John,

Sorry for the delay in response. I am building up near Delhi but live in the City. We are up there a lot and will be there almost every weekend this winter, peelin' the days away. Would be great to meet up sometime. If the Private Message feature isn't back up soon we can repost to this topic and we'll figure out way to exchange contact info. Have a great time at the class, definitely time well-spent! -Rayan

[ChainsawGrandpa]

"However, if there are any can't miss things to do in the Monroe area, I'd love to hear about them."

Hi Eric,

Here's a can't miss (the only thing you can't miss) in Monroe. Go to the Clay Oven.
It's very close to the smoke stack. Was in Monroe one day. Steve asked if I liked
Indian food (NO!!) I said; "Sure, let's give it a try". Tried out a highly rated Indian
restaurant twice so I had some bad expectations. Well the Clay Oven is anything
but bad. It's excellent!! (double exclaimation!) I've been in some fine restaurants
around the world, but nothing can come close to the Clay Oven in little 'ol Monroe.
Ask for the Log Home Special. You also might like the Mango drink. Kinda like a
mango & yougurt milkshake. Sounds bad but it's wonderful.

Monroe also has a Safeway, MacDonald's, and a video rental store. How's that for painting a
picture? About two rungs up the civilization ladder from my hometown of Wenatchee. Guess
I can't make too many jokes about Monroe, I'm pretty backwoods myself. Truth is, I like small
towns, and I like the friendly country folk. I was raised in the country myself. Hey, where we're
building the nearest town is famous for a local having invented the toothbrush. Had it been
invented anywhere else it would have been called the teethbrush. Ok...that's enough.

Oh wait...one more. A new neighbor just had most of his family wiped out in one night. Fire?
Nope. Porch collapsed. Killed five dogs. Ok, THAT'S enough.

-Rick

[sparky]

WAKA.....WAKA....WAKA......He'll be here all week!!
Some body get a rope!:)