log peeling/debarking

[Timber]

How long does it take to peel a 40 foot log-say 10 to 12inch tops? I am taking class in May 24-25. I want to figure how much time I need to peel logs treat etc before stacking! Another question would be if I stacked home with green logs put roof and dried it in-could I chink it later? Waiting for it to dry naturally? I know the mortar might crack using green logs and I like perma chink but not the cost. If I dont have a finished floor I cant see where this would or could be a problem if the weather got in.

Ron

[loghousenut]

That's like asking "How big is a ball of string?". It all depends on too many variables and, in the end, it really doesn't matter how long it takes. It won't take TOO long and it'll all get done. Believe me when I say it's one of those questions that is answered in the course. I took the course in 1989 and remember distinctly the evolution of thought that made it all so clear how the entire process (building a log home) is meant to happen. It works.

[rocklock]

Peeling log is not based on time. Its how much pain can you endure. My son could endure for about 4 hours a day. On a good day I could endure for 5 to 6 hours to get done what my son did in 4. I had two perfectly fine wrists, now I don't. We had several people help from this group. I said really dumb stuff like if you peal together you will stay together...
Anyway, we peeled 72 logs in less than 5 weeks. The fastest log took about 15 minutes... Ole number 64 really never got peeled... we just gave up. We worked on it about 6 hours, then took the demo hammer to it... I have pictures...
Anyway I have guess that the average is about 1.5 to 2 hours each... I would suggest that you pressure wash, cut off the knots and get the logs the way you want to look at them before you lift them...
My logs were as you described Doug Fir cut in the winter last year...All were peeled by the first week in May last year. My left wrist still hurts.

[Timber]

Wow, hey I am getting the ole aches and pains myself--drywall taping. Many drywall finishers get carpal tunnel. As of yet I don't have it. I read the logs are easier to peel if you debark after the logs are fresh cut right away. Pressure wash the bark off-anything easier sounds good to me. "The fastest log took 15 minutes". There is always one good one in the bunch. One you gave up on--guess that is where the saying the good makes up for the bad. Thanks for replys.

Ron

[Timber]

Finally decided to post...

Hi all. My lovely wife and I took the class with Skip as our instructor in 1989. We were married on the porch of a log chalet (really just a log outhouse that turned into a "flushtoiletbathroomwithalargeporchandareallycoolro of") that I built as my first practice log building. I've since built several log buildings for myself and others, including one that was in a Grizzly Adams movie. It's been a long road getting where we are right now and we're ready to finally build OUR home. We own the land and have lived here for 15 years in the ugly trailer that we thought would be gone years ago. I just hope I'm not too old and worn out to finish the job. I'll be needing you guys and gals to push me once in awhile.

PS. Do we still have those monthly meetings that used to happen so we can get a bit of critique and inspiration?...

Thanks... Ron and Patty... Mr. n Mrs. loghousenut


Come on your holding out on us! Show some pictures! 2 post at least post some pictures of Home on Grizzly Adams movie! I have a cat named grizz and he earned it/long story!

Ron

[bkleber]

Timber,

Like the others have said, there's a large range of time in how long it takes to peel a log. I'm at the peeling-with-all-the-help-I-can-get stage. Two guys peeled a 36' pine ~14" across in half an hour - that was one with no knots. Two people took ~4 hours to peel a different pine log the same size, that was knotty pine that had knots ALL along its length. The 40' oak tree about 14" across at the butt end has taken one guy about 20 hours to peel, and that's just half the log, before flipping it over.

Get help. Get LOTS of help. But they'll teach you all about that in the class, never fear.

[ribbonevt]

Hello Timber,

I can peal, with the power washer, by myself, an average 36? long by 12? thick average log in about 1 hour and 15 minutes,

Some of simpler size and length, I have done in 30 minutes and some have taken me overs 2 hours.

If I get help with someone using a spud to flip back the big pieces of bark, the time is about 45 minutes or less to do a log.

This is the way we peal our logs.

http://www.vidilife.com/index.cfm?f=media.play&vchrMediaProgramIDCryp=FBC1B50A-ED03-42C3-9B66-E

Hope this helps, Chris

[ChainsawGrandpa]

I was at Ken's new place (gunner2pilot). Believe I spudded a 19' x 12" log in 30 minutes even.
All the rest of your questions are covered in the class. Best to bring a flashlight, wool socks,
pens, notepad, an open mind, and double shot espresso to stay alert.

-Rick

[ChainsawGrandpa]

Maybe I should have mentioned....

Didn't give it a try but I could probably spud an 80' x 42" beetle-kill Grand Fir in
about one hour. I might be able to spud a 12' X 12" White Birch in several days.
Species, tools, attitude, age of log, all place a roll in your labor expended.

-Rick