Logs - would you buy?

[TCMuskyman]

Have a chance that surfaced out of the blue to snare 49 logs, red pine, cut and peeled 2 years ago and been drying out since. They willing to keep on site until I want them delivered in spring. Of course this also forces me to decide on land in that area but 90% inclined to do so anyway.
I know --- attend the class before doing anything but like many here I am on the wait and hope list for a class. lol
They are on average 10" at the 40' mark. Cost is under $1000 plus delivery that was guess-timated to be around $1200, plus or minus a Ben. So call it $2200 which is about $45 a log.
Only factor ... maybe ... would be if I need more logs. Then I assume I have to also find dry ones from what I have read....no mixing of green and dry allowed if I got this right?
Now it just may be worth taking a chance and committing to logs - delivery not paid until done of course .... and I have pizzed away more money in past in just 2 months of smoking cigs when I used to have that need for a fix so not the end of the world if I'd have to resell or uch I guess.

Toss me some reasons not to that create real issues and I'll pass on these buggers but sure seems cheap for my neck of the woods. Thanks for any and all feedback on this one.

[loghousenut]

You're just testing us aren't you? You already know the answer and you're asking us anyway. I can say for certain that, in my personal case, had I been given the perfect logs for free before I went to class, it would have simply added misery and stress to my life. I am very old and wise and know a bunch that I didn't know before I met Skip. My heartfelt advice to you is to take the class before you do much else. Go out and look at land but don't fall in love with anything. Look at trees and walk in the woods and hug them and dream and try to imagine just what logs will end up in your dream house. Betcha $5 that after class your opinion of the perfect land and the perfect trees will change. As we speak there are people on the "members only" side of this forum talking about how to save logs that were aquired too early and have to be out in the weather for another winter without a roof. You'll love the class and we'll appreciate your prolific posting on the members side.

[panderson03]

knowing now (since the class) what I was blissfully unaware of then (before the class) I would have gone right out and bought those logs which seemed such a great deal in my enthusiasm(before class) but would eventually end up not being such a good deal (after learning what I needed to learn during class). ..... I think I may have had too much coffee.......
class taught me the specific characteristics that were important in those logs for the home I wanted to build.
having said that, IF the logs you're looking at FIT my criteria I'd say that's a GREAT deal and jump on it:)
FYI, some of the assumptions you make above aren't quite correct (another thing class will teach you). in the end, If you do intend to go to class, you'll save yourself a bunch of headaches (and likely lots of $$) if you wait to buy til after class.

[edkemper]

I think you're going to find each post by a member of the association is basically going to be the same. We were all where you are, at one time in our past. We also had a clear picture of what we wanted and needed before taking the class. We all found out how wrong thinking we were after taking the class. If you have a limited budget, take the class first. If you have an unlimited budget, get everything you want and need before taking the class and feel as silly as many of us did after we took the class.
#1 on your to-do-list should be taking the class. They come around often enough. Stop rushing, you'll enjoy the process much more.
Welcome.

[TCMuskyman]

Yo folks - I knew the "take the class first" would be tossed at me, often and by many, and my skin is thick enough to handle it all (lol), hence the taking the chance at getting clobbered by LHBA Members by asking the question. I asked for it eh! ;-)

Indeed I am on the waiting list for next class, been so since the day I found this site....but as we all know that is an uncertain thing as to the "when" it will occur again.
Having said that if these buggers seem to be priced as well as I believe them to be I guess I have no issue on taking a gamble on them - if they can be used with potentially "green" logs if my size and ideas might change in time. I'd prefer not to totally toss away a grand but then again I'd also prefer not to spend an extra grand or more later. Guess that indeed was a maybe the simple question I shoulda/meant to ask......can they be co-mingled, dry and green.

FWIW - up north here many pay on average $150 a log. These are from someone who originally intended to do a BYO cabin. A death changed all that. My plan is to jump into a build as soon as the class is attended, done, and I feel knowledgable to do so with this process. I'm not totally "green" to the trades as I was a GC in past life. This is just a different manner of doing things and I am trying to "forget" all I know but at the same time be in a somewhat "ready" posture too.
Windows, many of the other items required I've already accumulated over the years from sales, BK builders, etc and they will be incorporated in many instances.
BUT ... logs. I know nothing nothing nothing about the logs that will be needed and used.
Feeling silly doesn't bother me to much but feeling dumb might. ;-(

So dare I ask again this way .... is it acceptable and possible to use both dry and green logs on the same structure without creating loads of trouble?
Guess I could just buy the dang things and use for a test build of structure like a bunkhouse maybe or ????? Firewood or reselling also an option I imagine.
I know .... attend the class. LOL
I'm waiting .... patiently. Like many others here I believe are.

[TCMuskyman]

LHN - forgot to say they are inside a pole barn so covered.
Again - thanks for the input and I truly respect everyones input. Guess all I know is the (f)actual price seems mighty good and that entered into the excitement. It's not been dampened totally as I haven't heard yet they "cannot work" ..... that gets stated I move on for sure.

[loghousenut]

Are they cheap enough to be a bargain for firewood?

[TCMuskyman]

demands on what the goin' rate is I guess ;-)
On a per pound basis they sure are cheaper than the 4 pack a day habit I had for years I guess.

[ivanshayka]

Take the class! LOL. I knew this would come up over and over again. But they did take the class so they must know what they are talking about. In my opinion, if you can't use them for main wall logs, you could cut them into boards, or u can find other uses to that. I am sure there are plenty of things you can use them for. But I do agree with everyone else here, what if you make a mistake ($$$) buying those logs.
I have bought the land with red pine on it, now I am little scarred that the pine is not big enough for my loghome. My plan is to compromise and improvise. I would be at a loss right now regarding those logs, I probably would wait, but I personaly would not mix them with 'green' cut logs.

[jasonfromutah]

Sounds like you really want the logs. If losing some $$$ isn't a big deal, then I would say buy them. I guess you could at least use them for something - worse case scenario firewood... Or, you could possibly take them to a saw mill to have boards cut as well.

IMO, there is nothing wrong with taking calculated risks at times. I say go for it. Since you are already going to take the class, you are already starting to make the right decisions.

If I didn't take a few risks in life, I wouldn't be building a cabin!!!!

[hawkiye]

The answer is yes you can mix green with seasoned logs, however the LHBA method is the only method it can be done with and not any other method, So .... "take the class" ;-) I would be wary of so called seasoned logs they are cheap for a reason they probably already have rot and i iknow they have not been treated like they should and you'll learn how. I would wait.
Blayne

[BenB]