Tools, supplies - HELP!

[2012 Hopeful]

Can anyone supply me with some help as to where to obtain tools for a log home project at a reasonable cost?

Also, have any of you come across some good deals for T&G lumber, closeouts, etc.? Where would I look to find some good deals from time to time?

Does anyone have a complete list of tools that are really needed and a list of tools that would be handy and nice to have?

Thanks.

[dazedandconfused]

Not sure you will get that info here, the tool part and most knowledge comes on the other side, if they gave it all to you up front what would be the incentive to take the class, just take the class brother, I have signed up in May and you can't expect them to give you everything, don't get me wrong I have questions too but don't abuse the whole forum.

[2012 Hopeful]

Dazed...
I'm not "abusing" the forum. I simply have questions and this is where you ask. If you can't help, that's fine. As far as the class, I DO PLAN on taking the class. The incentive to take the class is the wealth of info they will provide. I want to take the class with my son and we have to wait for that. Thanks anyways...

[edkemper]

The place for specific and detailed questions is on the "Members Only" side, AFTER you take the class. The class and instructors have spent decades developing the class and putting together just about everything you need. Are you sure you want someone that took a 2 day class to try to do what the instructors created over decades?

We all wanted your questions (for ourselves) answered before we took the class. Once you take the class, you will also be saying exactly what we keep saying, take the class first. Then we go to the Members Only side and get any additional help and advice we need. Also sources for about anything you can think of and a lot you never thought of.

The most important advice I can think of is to make sure to take your spouse with you to the class. That is also the cheapest advice you'll get. A divorce is very destructive and expensive.

[WornOut]

What's kinda , maybe , a chase off for some of us anyway is this seems like an old tv show called the Twilight Zone. And all you members are Rod. lol
Seriously - it's a big chunk of change for the great unknown as it's around $1800 plus. And we so badly "want" to come over to that side but we also have questions before we do.
For those who are there we seem like idiots or overly excited kids I suspect. But $1800 and time is not something I want to part with personally without some more "knowledge". No meaning here to offend anyone so plzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz take as such. And I know ...."take the class" ;-)

[ccosborne3]

Seriously - it's a big chunk of change for the great unknown as it's around $1800 plus. And we so badly "want" to come over to that side but we also have questions before we do.


All you have to do is take a glance at the student log home pics, it more or less answers any questions on whether the class is worth it or not. I'm pretty sure they offer a money back guarantee on the class. You're really not risking anything other than travel expenses.

[Shark]

All you have to do is take a glance at the student log home pics, it more or less answers any questions on whether the class is worth it or not. I'm pretty sure they offer a money back guarantee on the class. You're really not risking anything other than travel expenses.

exactly...

On the member's side, there is over 17,000 posts in the members area, over 15,000 in construction, & over 3000 in trading labor & deals. There's alot of info once you take the class.

& you will save much more than the cost of the class, once you start building & take the advice of the class.

[Cruiser]

Wornout - I know where you are coming from. I just took the class a few weeks ago and can tell you it was worth every penny. I read everything there is to read on the public side and saw enough information coupled with the fact that this method has been taught through this association for going on 50 years. I am a skeptical person by nature, but I was totally at ease with the decision we made to take the class...and we definitely made the right decision! The members are a great bunch of folks and everyone is willing to share their knowledge and experience. I'm not trying to convince you, but just giving you my thoughts and experience as one who just recently took the class. I hope to see you on the other side!

[2012 Hopeful]

It's not a matter of money for me. I'm sure it's worth every dime and will be taking it when the time frame opens up for me. But, I'm sure you can understand that I would like to do as much "homework" as I can now. I'm not the type to sit and wait for the next year. I must stay active in the pursuit of the goal I am trying to reach. I'm sure you can understand. I'm not trying to get the cart in front of the horse either, just trying to advance a little each day.

[LogLover]

I'm baffled too like the other noobs here to some point. I am pretty sure we will be doing the class within the year - yet 2x all the referenced costs is not
exactly chump change either and the bride is leery about putting that much on the table without understanding more. Her words - "knowledge is everything. I don't have enough to spend that much on an unknown without more info"
I am in agreement that she HAS to be onboard. So right now .... dunno how it will end up.

[edkemper]

The best Homework you can do: Read every single post on the public side. It'll take days and loss of sleep if you get addicted. If you take your time, it'll take weeks or months to finish. About the time you finish, I think you'll have a pretty good idea whether this subject and we are for you. We all wanted to do as much research as possible before we spent the money on the class. We all faced not being told all the details taught in the class. Now those of us that took the class and joined the members only side totally get it. That is really why we all say, take the class. We'd hate to screw up what has taken decades to develop. We hope to see those that are of like minds on the other side. This isn't for everyone.

[ccosborne3]

I must stay active in the pursuit of the goal I am trying to reach.

The unaimed arrow never misses.

I love that slogan, I use it at every opportunity.

[Cruiser]

I understand totally the feelings and skepticism. I was standing in your shoes just months ago. Ed's right, it's not for everyone, but if you do what he suggests, you should be comfortable with your decision...whatever it may be, at the time you make it. You will be hard pressed to find any dissatisfied folks that have taken the class...and there have been many thousands that have taken it over the years. I looked for anything negative I could find about the LHBA when I first stumbled upon it...and I found it...quickly! Funny thing was, it all came from those in the kit home industry. (wonder why?) Just read, research and make the decision that is right for you and your family.

[frontiersman_tool]

Hello Hopeful, I bought most of my tools on Ebay, yes the obvious stop, but there you can find still good and very much usable axes, peavys, come-a-longs, log scribe....
Give it a try, and then of course there's a ton of internet places where you can find them.

[Timberwolf]

Can anyone supply me with some help as to where to obtain tools for a log home project at a reasonable cost?

Also, have any of you come across some good deals for T&G lumber, closeouts, etc.? Where would I look to find some good deals from time to time?

Does anyone have a complete list of tools that are really needed and a list of tools that would be handy and nice to have?

Thanks.


The problem with suggesting a list of tools, as it depends on where, how, what etc you intend to build, which will likely change dramatically from what's in your head now, to what will be bouncing around in there after. The tools I'm using, aren't necessarily useful for the way you will build.

Best suggestion at this point, if you want to buy tools (and I mean, who doesn't?) would be to concentrate on obtaining good quality standard construction tools, such as circular saw(s), hammer(s), tape(s), tool belt(s), drill(s), etc, etc (note the plurals). Take a look at the regluar price of these items, then look for sales, specials, closeouts. Always buy high quality items. Also good to buy stuff locally so you can get warranty support if things break (they will) quickly so you're not hung waiting on replacement (another hint on why I mentioned plural). Not a bit fan of scrounging for used power tools... unless it's such a deal I don't care if it breaks and is not critical to me completing something.

[jpw]

I deal with Schroeder Log Home and supply frequently, good folks...reliable...you can get an idea of some of the log home building equipment (www.loghelp.com). As people say here, lots of suppliers, many of opinions, and as always...it depends.

[superloggy]

This place ( http://www.logbuildingtools.ca/about.html )is in Canada but they ship anywhere. Everything they sell is quality and will do the job it intended. A few good tools will make the hardest job easier.

[rocklock]

Can anyone supply me with some help as to where to obtain tools for a log home project at a reasonable cost? ... good deals from time to time? list of tools

This is a really good question. After you get the roof on, chinked, and windows cut out... more or less, you have standard construction. So depending on how much you want to do, you need knowledge.... big time. I believe that after you have your logs stacked and roof on, you are only about 50% finished. So any tool or knowledge that can be acquired to further those goals would be a good idea.

Lets take plumbing and electrical stuff. With copper at about $4.50 a pound, lots of stuff has changed. You will probably want to do PLEX stuff. And it may be a really good idea to explore the use of aluminum wire and what that entails.

As far as working with logs, you need a chain saw that is a work horse. I have a Stihl 029 with a 20 inch bar and another Stihl with a 16 inch bar. Why? My 16 incher is a rescue saw if the other get stuck. Be sure to get a safety video about the chain saw as well as some chaps and other safety gear. Then you need to work with the saw. If you don't have any logs or trees to cut, find some where to whack a tree. And for Pete's sake don't cut one down until you know what your doing. I watched a number of video's on youtube, and I was amazed at the gross stupidity. I could go on but...

If your going to build a deck, figure out how to do that. There is just a ton of stuff that you will need to know....

I am not a big fan of collecting construction materials because of the reasons below. Remember Allen's (my son) first rule of collecting construction materials. You will move everything you buy 4 or 5 times before you use it. Dave's first corollary. The heaviest stuff is always in the way, but it still gets moved.

[StressMan79]

lol @ dave!

holy crap that is funny and so true! I had to move a whole deck of logs, and 3 pallets of cinder block--twice. thank god for the forklfift. This made relatively easy work of it, but still, what a PITA!