small logs

[danlaurajacobson]

I am signed up for vegas and excited about getting some questions answered. I figured I would post one of my biggest ones just to prepare myself because it will make a HUGE difference for me I think. As I look at the pics of log homes on the site they are ALMOST all constructed with log lengths greater than the wall lengths, meaning you must have a 30+ foot log for a 30 foot wall. I don't ever see logs butted end to end in a wall. There are a few pictures out there of a vertical log dividing a wall, allowing the logs to be 1/2 the length of the wall instead of the full length. If I am looking for 10"+ diameter logs in my area, I will have limitless access to 20-25' logs but very little access to 40' logs. I am sure this is covered in the class, but is the vertical log division acceptable or does it comprimise the strength of the wall too much? Are there other acceptable ways of making a 30' + wall with 20' logs?
Thanks!

[Basil]

piece en piece construction has the answers you are looking for. Unfortunately, it's not the style of log home taught in the class. You can take the ideas you get from the class and apply them to piece en piece construction. If the logs you get are free and limitless, that's the best route. Free is always good. the class is a beginning, not the end, and once you take the class, you'll know what you still don't know...if that makes any sense. There are limitless ways to build a log home...you can do it with short logs. You just have to do it different. To answer your question, i don't think any of the members here have, or would, place logs butt-to-butt on a wall. i know that some have used short logs where they know a window is going to be, but even that is not advised. There were several methods taught in the class about using shorter logs, but the best solution in my mind is piece en piece

[mlr1968]

Attended Class March 25th/26th of 2006. If you are gonna be dumb, you better be TOUGH!
Building 2 smaller structures say two 20x20 with an breezeway connecting them? Like Basil said many ways to build a log home, pick your poision :-). The class is a starting point, the ideas you will get will help you even if you decide not to build a log home. Good luck and welcome!

[Will Dye]

Allen Holbrook built a house that is the perfect answer to your problem. He didn't do it with small logs though and it's a HUGE house. He did exactly what was suggested earlier. He had a rectangle basement poured and basically built two houses side by side connected with a breezeway and with one long continuous roof over it. I haven't seen Allen or heard from him in a good while, will have to swing by and check out how he is doing soon.

[ivanshayka]

When I purchased my land, I specificly did it for the trees that are on the property. They are between 11-14 inch at the base and 8-6 inch at the top, the lenth is aproximately 30-40 feet long. My plan is to build 28X30(or32) log home with 20X26 log addition to the side. What do you guys think of this plan.
I will take the next class ( posible in early 2011). Please repply. Thanks. Ivan.

[loghousenut]

Ivan, Just want you to know there are options.

http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t55/loghousenut/Our%20Home/The%20ridgepole/P1000696-1.jpg

[ivanshayka]

I know what you are doing in that picture! You are protesting against logging! :). Seriously, that is one heck of a tree. That sounds like a good option, but should I use trees on my land? meaning should I use what I have got? I am sure I will learn more in class.
Thanks for posting that picture. That is awesome. Ivan

[donjuedo]

loghousenut,
How many rings did you count on that ridge pole?

Peter

[loghousenut]

Ivan, Are you sure you haven't taken the class already? You sure seem to be one step ahead in your thinking. Take the class and it'll reinforce what you've already figured out. The best trees to build with will be the trees you've already got. And if you accidentally stumble on to a bargain of a standing dead ridgepole you should hug it. Welcome to the club.

[bmurphy96]

Seriously, MM, not to doubt you, but have you checked your eyesight lately? My ridgepole, which is a longleaf pine off our property, was 19" at the butt after we cut it and 103 years old if I recall correctly. Somewhere close to that anyways. They logged the blackwater forest area where we live in the early 1900's so if it wasn't a wee little tree back then it was cut down. We just don't have any giant trees like that.
I have seen pictures of mule-drawn wagons from the early 1900's where they pulling trees out of the forest down to Baghdad which is a little hamlet on the banks of the Blackwater river where it ran into Blackwater bay. There was a sawmill there and easy access to the gulf for transportation. Huge longleaf pines...three - six feet across. Crazy stuff..wish there was some still around.
I honestly would have guessed that your tree was at least several hundred years old. Why can't I have a tree like that?
keith

[loghousenut]

Maybe I shoulda counted the rings on the other side of the tree too. That ridgepole tree grew out in the open in full sun and didn't have to compete with any other trees. Made it grow fast, limby, and with a lot of taper. It pretty much matched our wall logs that grew under the same type of conditions 2-1/2 hours to the east. Most of our members are wise enough to use trees that grew close together and had to compete for sunlight, forcing them to grow straight and tall with little taper and fewer limbs. Not me... I'm too smart for that! I needed a challenge. Something to make the project "interesting" and give my life "purpose". Well, at least now we know it can be done.
Funny little coincidence Keith. This morning after I posted the 99 rings post I got sidetracked reading your blog, including your writeup about your ridgepole. I had just finished reading the part about your pole having 101 rings when I went back to the forums and found your newest post about my 99 rings. Maybe we oughta leave our families and shack up together since we seem to be somehow linked in a cosmic sorta way.
OK... MABE NOT! But I like your style.
http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t55/loghousenut/Our%20Home/The%20ridgepole/P1000709.jpg

[bmurphy96]

MM,
It's a bit of a trip, but you're welcome anytime to stop by the Redneck Riviera. I might even be able to rustle up some deer backstrap, corn on the cobb, potatoes and okra. Sorry, not a member at Costco :) Actually, come to think of it, I don't think we have a Costco in Pensacola (which is almost an hour from our house). If you want something really local I could get my hands on some mullet. But that is probably a fish you have never heard of and it's a bit strong. People seem to either love it or hate it..no "it's OK". I personally love it :)
Funny enough, the better half and I have had a conversation about some of the people we would like to meet from the forums. Now, let me preface this by saying I would love to meet anyone who has been through the class so don't anyone feel left out..but a certain individual with a very large ridgepole did come up very high on the list. I suspect it's just to see if you actually are as you seem to be from the forums. I am guessing you are exactly as you seem to be. As for actually shacking up..NO. Going to have to say not a chance on that one. I've been shacking up with a hot woman for 17 years and plan on doing so until we are in a nursing home together. And before Rachel reads this and slaps me into the middle of next week let me explain that by "shacking up" I mean living together after we said "I do" on that blessed day in August of 1993.
Hopefully I have taught my kids well enough that they know they have to take care of mommy and daddy and we DON'T end up in a nursing home when we get old, but everyone needs a backup plan right?
keith

[loghousenut]

When I made my proposition I had no idea that you weren't a member of Costco. My poor deceaced Father would spin in his grave if he thought I'd consider shacking up with a barbarian. By the way, he'd love to know that I was including him in my conversation like this. As for mullet, I've had it cooked on a stick over a beach fire. I thought it was OK and priced right. I make it down to your neck of the woods occasionally and I'd love to stop in for some Redneck hospitality. Of course the last time I was fortunate enough to be there was in 1976. I suppose you won't want to hold your breath.
PS. Thanks for the kind words and, of course, you and the boss will be expected at our place in Southern Oregon any time you are closer than 3 states away.

[bmurphy96]

And anything else is blasphemy. You FRY it.
keith

[panderson03]

you guys are GREAT! would love to meet both of you some day:)