very odd

[bigbambo]

Hi, first time poster. I was hoping some here could help this poor man out. I have two 1820's log homes that were disassembled when purchased. The previous owners supplied old photo's of each standing and it was their intent to make one out of two. Some of the lower logs were rotted and disposed of. They didn't know the dimensions of either and was little help with any other important questions such as, how many logs are missing. One has "V" notch joints and the other "half dovetail".

I hope I can describe the type of building I think might work for me.

It will be 16' x 24', 10' walls with a 10/12 pitch roof. I'm building it like a pole barn with 10 ea. 6" x 6" x 14' for the vertical posts. The flooring will be extended 10" typ (width of logs) on all four sides to set the logs on supported by 14 ea 4" x 4" into the ground. I'm going to remove the corner joints and butt the logs at each corner to a vertical beam. The 6" x 6" will be used by lagging each wall log for support. So, in essence, it will be a pavilion with old logs for facing.

Do you see any problems with this design? I'm not confident in my woodworking skills to notch every log for a solid structure. Any thoughts are welcome! 2nd....what is a good wood preservative? I think some logs show signs of PPB. Thanks

[rckclmbr428]

There's more then one way to skin a cat, or build a log cabin. What you have described would work, but there's better ways to do it, do you have pictures?

[bigbambo]

That's what I'm hoping forby posting here, a "better way"! Can you describe? I'm not sure what to take pics of? It's not built, just a pile of logs. thanks

[drummer boy]

That's what I'm hoping forby posting here, a "better way"! Can you describe? I'm not sure what to take pics of? It's not built, just a pile of logs. thanks

send the old photos from the previous owner. that would be good. Like to see the pile of logs for a good visual of the cuts that are on the logs.

[Timberwolf]

Before firing up your chainsaw, I'd definately get a copy of the book: The Classic Hewn-Log House: A Step-by-Step Guide to Building and Restoring http://www.amazon.com/Classic-Hewn-Log-House-Step---Step/dp/1580175902/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1318878287&sr=1-2

I'd save those corners, some of them are like art!

[bigbambo]

Here are some pics. What do you think of the birds mouth cuts? They cut the roof rafters wrong and just notched them below it. Then the facia board only hits half of the rafter ends. I don't like the looks at all ... looks like sh#t but the said it plenty strong. I grew up with the guy that bid it and he has one helper. I hate paying full price for such shotty work. oh well

http://i671.photobucket.com/albums/vv79/arcone/DSC04786.jpg
http://i671.photobucket.com/albums/vv79/arcone/DSC04787.jpghttp://i671.photobucket.com/albums/vv79/arcone/DSC04780.jpghttp://i671.photobucket.com/albums/vv79/arcone/DSC04773.jpg

[bigbambo]

Here are more.

http://i671.photobucket.com/albums/vv79/arcone/DSC04778.jpg
http://i671.photobucket.com/albums/vv79/arcone/DSC04774.jpg
http://i671.photobucket.com/albums/vv79/arcone/DSC04776.jpg
http://i671.photobucket.com/albums/vv79/arcone/DSC04777.jpg

[bigbambo]

Here is one of the log homes.

http://i671.photobucket.com/albums/vv79/arcone/DSC04791.jpghttp://i671.photobucket.com/albums/vv79/arcone/DSC04790.jpghttp://i671.photobucket.com/albums/vv79/arcone/DSC04789.jpg

[StressMan79]

I don't want to badmouth your carpenter... but the birdmouth notches and the eves are less than desirable.

-Peter

[rckclmbr428]

Ya I'm gonna have to agree wither peter, I couldn't sleep at night having done one if my customers like that. I'm assuming your going to stack the logs on the outside of the 6 x 6?

[bigbambo]

Yes. There needs to be some beefing up done on the ledge but that's were the logs will be stacked and timber screwed to the 6x6.

Do you think the small pc of wood left between the bird mouths will hold and not bust out? I couldn't believe a so-called carpenter would nail that crap in. I have built lots of thing and would never think of asking a paying customer if it looks ok!

[rckclmbr428]

If someone did that with me, I wouldn't be "paying" or a "customer" . At the least he should cut some 3-4' pieces correctly and scab onto either side. It looks like the corners are just flat notched, that should be easy enough to recreate

[bigbambo]

I try to hire local craftsman when It is impossible for me to do. I've been looking forward to building this for a year but tore my shoulder. My fear is that the logs will rot if stored for another winter. The 1st two man crew set all the 6x6's, 20" larger footprint on both length and width. If fixed, the holes would break through the "bad" holes so, I told them I could make it work. This meant buying more boards. They then set the 4x4's and I noticed that the stuck out of the ground very high. I measured the 4 holes that had not been set, only to find, the holes were only 1 1/2 feet deep. Our frost line in northern Ohio is a min of 3'. I told them that they needed to be removed and dug deeper to 3'. He looks at me and said "well you'll need to get more sacrete". I had just enough original 3x5x16' floor joists that I wanted to use as roof rafters so it would look old from inside. They took one to lay=out at home. The next day they arrived with the rafter cut 12' short to the bird's mouth. He told me to cut out another while the went to get scaffolding.....never to return....until the middle of the night to take their tools. I called and called, for two days, thinking maybe something bad happened to them. This joker calls on the 3rd day claiming I owe him more money for setting the 4x4's. I paid 1/2 the labor for the complete job and was left with the lion's share to go. Not happening! The nightmare continues.........The 2nd guy comes out an says that it's 2 possibly 3 day job and quoted me a day rate, I agree. As I write, it is day 4 and my dream adorns this shotty work. I take some responsibility for not getting references...I just trust that people know their business.

[loghousenut]

My advice.... Hire some of that good, dependable local help to get those logs up off the ground and covered with good ventilation.

Then get your shoulder fixed. So far I see photos of work that is plenty shotty or shetty, or shatty or some form of the word with a different vowel in the middle.

[spiralsands]

I try to hire local craftsman when It is impossible for me to do. I've been looking forward to building this for a year but tore my shoulder. My fear is that the logs will rot if stored for another winter. The 1st two man crew set all the 6x6's, 20" larger footprint on both length and width. If fixed, the holes would break through the "bad" holes so, I told them I could make it work. This meant buying more boards. They then set the 4x4's and I noticed that the stuck out of the ground very high. I measured the 4 holes that had not been set, only to find, the holes were only 1 1/2 feet deep. Our frost line in northern Ohio is a min of 3'. I told them that they needed to be removed and dug deeper to 3'. He looks at me and said "well you'll need to get more sacrete". I had just enough original 3x5x16' floor joists that I wanted to use as roof rafters so it would look old from inside. They took one to lay=out at home. The next day they arrived with the rafter cut 12' short to the bird's mouth. He told me to cut out another while the went to get scaffolding.....never to return....until the middle of the night to take their tools. I called and called, for two days, thinking maybe something bad happened to them. This joker calls on the 3rd day claiming I owe him more money for setting the 4x4's. I paid 1/2 the labor for the complete job and was left with the lion's share to go. Not happening! The nightmare continues.........The 2nd guy comes out an says that it's 2 possibly 3 day job and quoted me a day rate, I agree. As I write, it is day 4 and my dream adorns this shotty work. I take some responsibility for not getting references...I just trust that people know their business.

Stories like this one is what drove me, a woman, to learn how to do all my own work on my house. Everything that guy was supposed to do, you could have done way better yourself. I never cut a bird's mouth until I built my shed in Florida and everyone of them fit perfectly. If I could do that, you could do that. Sorry to hear you got taken down the path. Hope it all works out.

Frances

[edkemper]

Frances,

> Stories like this one is what drove me, a woman, to learn how to do all my own work on my house.

You forgot to add that you are an exceptional woman. :o

[bigbambo]

Well, bad shoulder an all this is how it looks so far. Me and a Kubota 3030 with a set of forks. Lots left to do!

http://i671.photobucket.com/albums/vv79/arcone/DSC04802.jpg
http://i671.photobucket.com/albums/vv79/arcone/DSC04800.jpghttp://i671.photobucket.com/albums/vv79/arcone/DSC04799.jpghttp://i671.photobucket.com/albums/vv79/arcone/DSC04794.jpg

[loghousenut]

Mr Bambo,

I am amazed! It's flying right together just like you thunk it would. It'll be a good looking house when you're done. Do you have enough of the old logs to wrap it up?

[bigbambo]

I think there may be a few left when finished. I hope enough to make a log outhouse. This is just a cabin in the front part of the property. This might sound funny but we live way back in the woods with no visible signs of humans. We dug a pond for raising yellow perch and eliminate mowing. After spending time up front with the fish, we kinda liked a different view.....plus, I always like the looks of an old log cabin. Hope it turns out.

[rocklock]

If you look at my log home, you will find it very much overbuilt. I don't know or trust attaching big wood to 6 by 6 posts. If you ran into my log home with a tank, the tank would loose.
I think you should get an engineer to give some advise about how to fix your foundation. I think rock or field stone would look very cool.
In Washington state this house would not fly with out an engineers wet stamp.

Those timbers look stout, but they need to be preserved. The ones on the ground need to be covered and off the ground. I like the looks of your project, but one of the first things that I would do is increase the size of your overhangs. You need to keep these logs dry.

Best of luck

[bigbambo]

I agree on the overhangs, they were to be 16" but the frame building bum's ...oh well. Not sure how to fix it and make it look ok? The logs you see are all off the ground, stacked on telephone poles and pvc pipe. The foundation will be covered by dry stacking stone. You may find it hard to believe but it is very stout even without final framing around the windows and door. The force is down and on a very heavy duty ledge. The timber screwed logs to the 6x6's reenforce the frame, holds the logs in place like the end joints would and transfer some of the load down through them.

Thanks for posting all concerns....makes me think about it's integrity.

Is there a good wood preservative for these logs? I thought I would pressure wash and let dry then apply a good wood preservative......not sure if this is ok?

[rocklock]

I goggled home brew log preservative and this was the first entry. I have made this exact same stuff... Note this this is also a closely pinned butt and pass log building. I don't know if I would pressure wash them. It might remove stuff that you don't want removed. I would also check into log jam or other stuff to try to eliminate some of the major cracks in your logs... Any crack that will catch rain or snow needs to be filled or you may have major rot problems.

http://www.bearfortlodge.com/bearfort_lodge/2006/12/log-home-repair-restoration-replacing-chinking-and-fixing-logs-part-vi-home-brew-wood-and-log-preservative/

I could go on and on but I'm sure you will figure it out...
good luck

[bigbambo]

thanks for the link rocklock! I will use make some. I'm not sure how to take your last statement. I hope that in my defense of issues concerning the building quality, I didn't come across as a "know-it-all". I'm far from knowing anything about building and care needed for a log home. I also had my doubts, structurally, which prompted my first post. I'm sure there is a better way to construct an old log home without reworking every joint......I just couldn't think of it. After setting the two full 24' top logs all doubts vanished. It is very solid. If you or anyone reading could please point out things to do or watch for (like filling the cracks in the logs) , I would appreciate it very much. I did get "The Classic Hewn-Log House" book as suggested and still reading. Thanks, Doug

[bigbambo]

I thought you might like to see some updated pics.
http://i671.photobucket.com/albums/vv79/arcone/DSC06063.jpg
http://i671.photobucket.com/albums/vv79/arcone/DSC06060.jpg
http://i671.photobucket.com/albums/vv79/arcone/DSC06058.jpg

[Zetmandu]

Looks like you solved the short overhang problem. Nice going

[edkemper]

I gotta say, that looks well done. That should be a nice place for the next several decades. Nice job of figuring out a way.

[blane]

Nice! great job done with not much to work with in the beginning. I like the wrap around on the porch.

[bigbambo]

Thanks for the kind words! This cabin means more to me than can be imagined.

It looks like sand instead of top soil around here due to the heat! It's taken 2 months to get this far after setting the logs last fall. Lots of breaks and liquids, both going in and sweated out. I hope it turns out to be a quant & primitive cabin. Thanks for all of these posts! Doug

[rreidnauer]

Yea, that came out looking pretty nice. Kind of a cool "tiny house", eh Spiralsands?

[blane]

So, now you have a place to live while you build the big house? Attend an LHBA course and build one from scratch. I would bet it would be a breeze for you now that you have this experience.

[Rob in MN]

Dang cool - love to see things salvaged and re-used time and time again. Nice job - I too was wondering how the thing would end up and it did end up great.
So is your plan to in time build new or be happy and content where you at right now? I'd sit back and enjoy for awhile and then decide where to go from there-if anywhere.
Nicely done

[bigbambo]

I wish that 15 years ago, I knew about such beautiful and rewarding homes some of you build here! My little cabin is nothing like the lasting structures you all have. I have read many posts here and think I'm cut from "similar cloth". Here is our main house and I'm not ready to demo it yet!
http://i671.photobucket.com/albums/vv79/arcone/DSC06067.jpg
http://i671.photobucket.com/albums/vv79/arcone/DSC06073.jpg
http://i671.photobucket.com/albums/vv79/arcone/DSC06076.jpg

[bigbambo]

http://i671.photobucket.com/albums/vv79/arcone/DSC06068.jpg
http://i671.photobucket.com/albums/vv79/arcone/DSC06070.jpg
http://i671.photobucket.com/albums/vv79/arcone/DSC03809.jpg

[Timberwolf]

Nothing wrong with that at all! I'd live there in a heartbeat! You are blessed.

[spiralsands]

What a beautiful property!

[bigbambo]

Timberwolf, I've seen pics of your home and it looks awesome! I look at the long row of logs to be debarked and imagine your excitement when reached the last one! And yes, we are both blessed!

[QUOTE=Rob in MN;77013]Dang cool - love to see things salvaged and re-used time and time again.


Here is an old corn crib that are disappearing from the Ohio landscape. It made a nice place to house my pool stuff and well vented for the heater
http://i671.photobucket.com/albums/vv79/arcone/DSC06080.jpg

[bigbambo]

Hi all! It's been a while and not much time to work on this cabin. Thought I would share some pics with everyone. I will post more recent pics tomorrow.
http://i671.photobucket.com/albums/vv79/arcone/IMG_0100_zps94578659.jpg
http://i671.photobucket.com/albums/vv79/arcone/IMG_0101_zpsc11014fd.jpg
http://i671.photobucket.com/albums/vv79/arcone/IMG_0099_zps3d64bef0.jpg

[loghousenut]

That turned out great, didn't it!

[bigbambo]

I think it turned out ok.....lots more to do. I tried to use reclaimed lumber as much as possible. Hope you all like seeing the progress and thanks to everyone for sharing some good advise.
http://i671.photobucket.com/albums/vv79/arcone/DSC06570_zps6b0585c3.jpg
http://i671.photobucket.com/albums/vv79/arcone/DSC06571_zps1f41757c.jpg
http://i671.photobucket.com/albums/vv79/arcone/DSC06574_zps5afaf201.jpg
http://i671.photobucket.com/albums/vv79/arcone/DSC06579_zpsce2b962a.jpg
http://i671.photobucket.com/albums/vv79/arcone/DSC06583_zps34f7060d.jpg
http://i671.photobucket.com/albums/vv79/arcone/DSC06584_zps1c0596aa.jpg

[LogHomeFeverDan]

Now that's gorgeous!!

[rckclmbr428]

Looking good! I'd suggest wrapping that porch roof on around to keep the water off. But it's looking good!

[patrickandbianca]

That place really is sweet!

To be honest, reading the thread from the beginning I didn't know how this was going to work out. I love it!

Patrick

[thoner7]

That looks really cool. It gives me an idea; one could build a small cabin like that using old barn beams. There are tons of collapsed barns in my area that could be re-purposed.

[bigbambo]

I'm going to put a short roof the full length of the back that is supported by the wall....no pillars. The other side faces east and not sure what to do......

To be honest also, I'm not a quitter but had one very close call in beginning. My mother was battling cancer when I started building. She loved primitive things and collected her whole life. She often said that she hoped to live long enough to see it finished but didn't make it. It has become my spot on earth to tune into her and talk. Your positive response helps me feel that she would have liked it too.

[pinewood]

Bigbambo, I am pretty certain your mother has been watching all along and is has become her spot on earth to tune into you. Keep talking; she is listening.:)

Dane

[loghousenut]

My Mom didn't get to see mine done either. I suppose now I have to find a way to make sure I live long enough to see it done myself.