Concave Butt End Against a Round Log

[John W]

Would it be worth the time and trouble to make the butt end of the log concave, that goes up against the round log at the corners? Seems like it would be a tighter fit for airflow/insulation. Looks like there would be a great big glob of chinking everywhere a straight cut meets a round log at the corner. Doesn't look like anybody does it, so it must not be worth it. I guess it would take away the advantage of the butt and pass method, time-wise, and take a little more skill. Just wondered if anybody even considers it.

[panderson03]

maybe :) on the down side it would surely take more time AND I wouldn't want wood up against wood; definitely prefer chinking in between so moisture can evaporate rather than be held against the log surfaces. having said that, you're right (on our build at least). there are HUGE spaces where one log butts up against the pass log for lots and lots of chinking:)

[loghousenut]

It's all a part of what makes the system work. Resist the urge to ask the question in class and let some other student prompt the answer. Out of a class of 20 there will be 21 of you who can't wait to hear why it's done the way it's done.

Pick out another 10 traits that are common to each of the homes in the photo gallery. You'll figure out the reason "why" for 6 of those traits before the first day is finished.

Trust me on this one. My corner gaps are big enough to pass a plate of steaks through to the guy running the bar-BQ. There's a reason.


http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t55/loghousenut/5thcourse10-6-09028.jpg

[John W]

Thanks, LHN, as long as it has to do with grilling steaks, I'm all for it. Just GOTTA get myself to the next class!

[loghousenut]

John, yer gonna fit in to the member's side like salt and pepper fits into a skillet full of taters.

Take the class.

[jrdavis]

Too bad i'm not in that class with you....
I remember the way Skip looked at me with the questions that I DIDN'T wait for someone else to ask.....
"There's always one folks." :)

I wonder if Ells gives that same look??

JD

[rreidnauer]

Well, I wouldn't say it's a terrible idea, though I wouldn't cope it perfect and butt it up tight, as it would look odd for one thing.

But doing so would compound the work load immensely, and if you found that you want to roll the log one way or the other for a perfect fit after you scooped out the end, then you've hosed yourself.

Then how would you make that cut? A chainsaw isn't the answer. You'd almost need a bandsaw to make that curve, with a capacity to handle the butt end diameter of full logs. Unless you're thinking of doing it the old fashion way, with an axe and adze.

Let's see how the peeling goes before you start that coping project. ;)

[Ellsworth]

I wonder if Ells gives that same look??

I'm 23.8% more friendly seeming, and 79.5% less intimidating. Or maybe I have that backwards ;) Regardless, I don't think anyone will ever duplicate "that" look.

[hemlock77]

I will never will forget that one guy in class that kept trying to come up with a "better" way. The beauty of this system is that it follows the k.i.s.s. philosophy.

[rocklock]

OK, since Elsworth chimed in, I shall attempt an answer, with out violating the stuff in class...
1. Since the log butts up against the other log and is secured by a rebar there is no mechanical advantage to fit the logs together.
2. There is a disadvantage, it takes time... lots of time, when I want to stack the next log, not mess around with a joint.
3. The chinking hides everything and beneath the hard stuff is insulation, lots of insulation. In fact more insulation value than the logs them selves...
I could actually go on for a while but that should be enough.
So, no mechanical advantage and more time which means money...

[edkemper]

While there is no real benefit, it's still personal choice. You can take a couple of weeks or months staking the walls or spend years "modifying" the logs to fit together. Such as saddle block and notched. Seems to me, once we decide to build our house, adding many extra months to the build doesn't seem very exciting to me.

[John W]

Thanks, everybody. Yes, thought time would be an issue. Didn't realize the insulation behind the chinking could be better than the log itself.