Introduce yourself

Look, listen and learn
A man who works with his hands is a laborer,
A man who works with his hands and his head is a craftsman,
A man who works with his hands, his head and his heart is an artist.
St Francis of Assisi.

Larry i am in Virginia and tomarrow i chainsaw a large oak.
Its not easy clean up a tree 40 feet high and then chain saw into chunks to carry.
Dont buy montain property unless its flat ore you pay get it flat.
I try do it all my self becuse thats the way i am.
Ow i hope to have the foundation put in by spring ore early summer.
Tomarrow i gone call on a tree cart place to haul my logs when i cut them my self.
I think clearing the land and level it and getting it level takes time.
The building will take allot less time for me.
Lary why did you think i was in Ca sorry i not out there .
But there are allot others you can hook up with i sure.
Lary good luck on your dream and dont let it die

Hello all! I'm Bob living in the 'burbs of St. Louis and looking for land. Any Missourians here or anyone who took the Dec 6-7 '08 class?
Bob

hey Feral ... Who were you in class? I wish I had been able to meet everyone who was there. (Heavy sigh)

Can I just cut the bark around a tree to kill it and let it season intact or do I have to cut it down to season it? If I can kill it by cutting the bark around the tree I can start now instead of waiting for next year.

For more reasons than I can think of right now, but just a summary:

Depending on the species, you won't likely kill it any way. You will have to make a plunge cut with the chainsaw into the heart (dangerous).

Now what you've done is opened the tree up as a buffet for insects to go in in feast. You'll likely have rot in the butt of the tree as it soaks up water from the ground.

That would be ok, if all you want is firewood.

The biggest thing though, is now you have a bunch of liabilities standing on your property. These trees will be subjective to windfall. I wouldn't want to be out walking around in those woods. Like playing russian roulette.

Jason.

Ed, what you mention is "girdling" which is a traditional way to kill a tree. A tree needs the outer layer of wood to transport water. without that, It will die. Tanderson is right, however, about the insects. Depending on the area and species, this could be a bad idea or a terrible idea. You'll likely end up with a 50' stick of firewood.l You could start a forest fire and harvest the log later, after seasoning ;).

Actually, LHBA doesn't season its logs for several reasons, but difficulty is one of them.

-Peter

Thanks for the heads up guys. I gotta arrange for a class, soon.

Ed

hey guys, my name is mike szabo, and reside in Ottawa, Canada.

I am currently a drywaller and about to change careers in trucking. I've been though many different careers including mechanic, bodyman, and carpenter. I'm also an accomplished airbrusher of nearly 20 years, and metal fabricator building rockcrawlers in my personal home garage. sick of renting and can't afford to mortgage a new home in some boring suburb. everyone has a goal(s) in there life and building my own home was one of them. I'm hoping that some of my skills I've accumulated over the years will help me achieve that goal in an affordable way.

welcome mike,

guys who are good with their hands make up roughly 80+% of our members, as the association's goal is to help people build thier own home for cheap rather than paying a mortgage. I think you may have just hit the mother load of info in that respect. On a side note, there have been quite a few Canadians joining lately. Many in your area. If you join, there is a "Trading labor and deals" section in the member's area. Sounds like you could easily take advantage of some labor trades.

-Peter

hello my name is Curt and new to the log home building and VVVVVVery glad to have found this web site. Currently living in Japan but born in California and will be returning soon^0^ with hopes of taking this class and building a home right away. I am 29 and have 3 kids with one more on the way (this feb.)^0^ Nice to meet you all Curt^0^

Hi, everyone my name is Margaret and after two years and two states I've finally gotten up enough courage to say hello. My husband and I have our property 5.5 acres on a river in Michigan. I found this web site after my husband voiced an interest in building a log home (to my astonishment). I keep talking about taking the class once our budget allows, but my sweety is not very optimistic that the two of us would be able to do it. My glass is still half full and will keep trying to convince my husband that this is a wonderful opportunity. Love reading all the comments and viewing the wonderful pictures of those who have taken up the challenge. Happy holidays everyone.

I would encourage you (and your husband) to take the class. one thing they will tell you: "building your log home will be hard, no doubt. But how hard will it be to pay a 30 year mortgage?" Anyway, glad to answer any questions you may have. Oh, and one other thing, we get by with a little help from our friends. You'll find that you'll be able to lend a hand to a neighbor, and that they'll respond in kind. You don't have to "do it all by yourself."

Thank you for your words. I know my husband and I would both enjoy lending a hand to a neighbor. Our goal is to be able to take the class later in 2009. Because of that darn economy, especially in our home state of Michigan, we were forced to move out of state. We both have been fortunate to find good job in Wisconsin and have enjoyed making new and good friends here. We have been warmly welcomed and adopted by a wonderful state, but will always be a Michigander at heart.

Look, listen and learn
A man who works with his hands is a laborer,
A man who works with his hands and his head is a craftsman,
A man who works with his hands, his head and his heart is an artist.
St Francis of Assisi.

Rember Rome was not built in a day!
Its step by step to get a project done.
Some of us have things easy some of us have it little harder to build.
My advice buy Flat land ore some what flat and some with good trees on the land to build with them.
Enjoy and good luck taking the class

Hi, I took the class a few years ago and hope to begin building in the spring/summer of 2009. Probably start with the garage at first and use that as well as my motorhome for living quarters. I am from Leavenworth WA. Beautiful Bavarian village. Actually about 20 miles out of town in a small onclave called Plain. My property is mostly flat and usable. Have the well installed and power is near. Gonna go with radiant solar heat/ water with propane backup. Try Radiantec.com. Have a huge generator to get me buy until the power is brought in. I want to do the work primarily myself. Will hire out migrant workers for log peeling and whatnot. Have relative who are electricians, plumbers and whatnot so should get that reasonably too. I am a recently retired cop/detective with City of Seattle and can't say i miss it much. Still packing tho. People tend to think a single woman is easy pickings. Don't think Iwill get over that. Basically gonna dry it in by snowfall and then finish up during the cold season.
Ultimately want to buy a piece of property boardering Yellowstone National Park. The Idaho side. Nothing more spectacular and the wildlife is outstanding. It is truly heaven there.
Well bless ya all and good luck on all your endeavors.

Alright, guess I need to try this again.

I'm Scott from Cincinnati. I plan on taking a class sometime this year, and then my Dad and I would like to get working on a cabin on some land we're buying. Hi all.

l am a single girl too, waiting for retirement. I am an ICU nurse and freq use the dumb blonde to my advantage. I know the part of the world you are looking at, a big chunk of absolute heaven. Have thought about the heavy labor and have decided to use migrant help as well... I am down in SLC. Might be interested in a drive up to see what you have going during the summer.
Blondie

I am impressed. Can't wait to get started but with the current economy I think much of what I am going to do hinges on the sale of my place in Edmonds WA. But I plan on building the 28 x28 log garage (leaving no doors) and after inspection convert to living until I can get my real place built. And hopefully will get the Edmonds place sold by then. Fortunately I don't owe anything on my Leavenworth WA property so thats certainly a plus. Hate to sound stupid but where is SLC? Also do you own property to build on yet? If you would like you can give me a soundout at sinopa@comcast.net
Would like to meet. Maybe we can put our heads together and show the world how women can accomplish a homebuilding project.

forgive me if I'm wrong, but I work with Moog, inc out of Salt Lake City and they often call it SLC.

-Peter

Hello All

Just signed up for the Feb. class, can't wait to get going on this. My wife and I are thrilled to finally be able to make it to a class. It's been 2 years trying to make it all come together.

Ken & Tess

Yup, you are right. Salt Lake City.

Hi Curt.
I'm an Australian also living in Japan, and going to take the Jan 24/5 class. Wherebouts you living in Japan? I'm planning to build a log house here because buying a house in Tokyo would be a life sentence. No way I can repay that kind of money before I retire. I'm 40 now.
I'd also like to power it with solar and wind power and researching it is really exciting. There is so much information.
I'm really looking forward to the LHB class too. Our first step to self sufficiency is avoiding a life-long mortgage.

Anyway, it'd be great to hear from you and maybe share some ideas.

Paul Dore'
Tokyo, Japan

whats up Paul^0^
nice to meet you...i ve been living in shikoku (ehime prefacture) for 6rys. my wife is japanese and what an experiance!! way diff. from U.S
anyways we are thinking on moving back to the states in 09` and my daughter (5yrs) said she wanted a "stick house" so that lead me on a search and thankfully i found this place^0^ started looking at "crapper kits" then it lead me to here...but like everyone else on this site i am thinking and planning to be ALL self seficiant w/ a few moderen up grades. Iam a simple man w/ a simple plan^0^
anyways How about you?? wife, kids??? we definitly need to keep in touch...would love to give you a hand on your log house
BTW i use to be a plumber in the U.S did that for 3yrs everything from start to finish soo.....any way i can help let me know^0^

Hi Bob, I am Brett. I used to live in St. Charles, Mo and have purchased land to build in northern Mo, near Edina. I plan on building in June '09 and will be attending the jan '09 class in Wa.

Hi Curt, Where do you plan on moving when you return to the States? I travel through Tokyo several times a year. Brett

Hello my name is Dee. I recently found this site while searching around for log home ideas and I really like it. Thank you for putting it up! I was never really interested in building a kit, and I think the information provided here solidifies my feelings on that. I will be signing up for a class soon. It seems like a great way to break into the scene of building a nice log home the right way.

Anyway I'm 34, live in West Virginia and I spend a lot of time traveling around the US working and playing (mostly playing). I think my next trip will have to be to attend a Log home builder class ;)

sup brett^0^
first i am planning on going home to Auburn (close to Sacramento)in the foothills
then hopefully not go to far it kinda depends on the prices of land ...i am bankin` on the economiy slow down to bring the prices back to a ballpark figure...but i am keeping my eyes open to any plce in the country with good timber..was looking at Mo. but a little fearful of tornados???!!i dont really know but Mo makes me think of Kansas and Kansas well....O.Z. but let me know^0^
i am waiting to go to class but it looks like not until next fall or winter if they offer class
so what kind of work brings you to tokyo??? do you speak the lingo???

hey Ed my name is Curt
currently living in Japan but born up the hill from you in auburn
just wanted to ask about the land on klamath???been there one fishing...and seen property for sale on the net but other than that dont know^0^
what was the price per ac. if you dont mind me asking???
i am 29 w/3 kids and one on the way debt free and looking to stay that way
nice to meet you^0^

Curt, Yes, we have tornados in Missouri but I dont want to build in Ca because of the earthquakes. Besides, I think they are only allowed to strike mobile home parks here in MO. LOL I work in Taiwan 6 months a year and just go through Japan on my way. Usually only stay 3 or 4 days. I paid $450/ acre for 20 acres of wooded land that is primarily Oak and Hickory which are the most abundant native tress here.

A Happy and Properous New Year to you and your family Curt.
Mate, thanks for the fantastic offer of a helping hand, but I don't know if I'll be ready to build so soon. Although, I'll certainly keep you in mind when I need advice about plumbing. It's a little bit scary, but incredibly liberating feeling to know that it's possible to build your own house. I mean, owning your own house is the great dream right, but it's always had that nightmare life-long bank loan attached to it. I'm so looking forward to the class.

My situation: married to a fantastically genki Japanese woman, and we have a 7 month old daughter who's just as energetic. I've been in Japan about 8 years, speak conversational (?) Japanese, but want to study more when I get time. I've teaching English at university here. How about yourself? Actually, one of my students is from Ehime. Have you been to been to a bull fight? Apparently it's kinder to the bulls than the Spanish sport - more like bull sumo. Heard that the mikan there are pretty tasty also.

Yeah, gotta keep in touch. If you're ever going to be up in Tokyo, let's exchange contact details so we can arrange to meet up.

Paul Dore'
Tokyo, Japan

man i wish i was going to the class with you...sounds like its going to be a blast of info in 2 days^0^sweet!!!!
no never been to the bull fights heard about them but no one wants to go with me so...havent been
but anyways same as you i am just good enough to get around w/my japanese i am helping my father-in-law w/church work and just last year started a eng. class for the kids so wen. almost all day is eng. teaching day,also marring people ect. ect.
yes the mikan are good, down here thats about all you see mikans and rice feilds nothing like tokyo...speaking of which i got another mate up in your neck of the woods, he too married a japanese lady, they are in rokkupongi hills (?) mabey you guys could hook up???
so have you found land to buy or still looking?? BTW why is it tokyobruce and not tokyo paul???

450 per acre nice^0^
cant touch nothing for that price in Nor Cal....everything is a 1000 and up for land out in the middle of no mans land with caynon drives to get to any town...in my area(auburn,no earthquakes^0^) just land starts at 100,000 from .5 to 1 acre lots but thats more in the residance area
serious this economic crunch better bring some prices down or i am out of this state
how about your wood for log house???buying?? or any thing on your land???

I wanted to thank you for having this wonderful website. It is informative and honest. I wish all of you a great year.
~NM

hi Paul, if i'm not mistaken we were in the same class and if you are the same person, you told me you are originally from La Cross, Wisconsin. Please let me know.

Tim (Horicon, Wisconsin)

P.s. You will be the first person that i've seen on this forum that took the class at the same time. ITs like the rest of them fell off the face of the earth.

I think I got a pretty good price for the land but I also purchased the track from my ex in laws. They have a substantial amount more that is now adjacent to mine, so I will cut the trees from my land and hopefully some from theirs. I haven't decided what kind of trees to use yet. I am waiting until after class in a couple weeks to make those kind of decisions. Oaks and Hickory are abundant on the land.

Hi all well I am new on the site but I love it, my future husband and I want to build oue home in PA after he gets out of the Marine Corps. He has served 3 tours to Iraq and well honestly I think thats enough. I am looking foward to attending he class and meeting some new frinds.

"KEEP IT SIMPLE"
Welcome Shirley,

Ex Navy here. I know the feeling... spent 4 years of my life deployed. Best of luck with your plans... Gather all the info here and use it as a resource. Where in PA are you. I grew up by Philly.

I am so excited to have found your site! I have been a huge fan of log homes for quite sometime and admire the charm and ruggedness of their exteriors. With the complexities of permits and regulations, I'm happy to have found an association who can help us navigate the waters of this process!! I'm looking forward to the class and the useful knowledge this will provide me. Since I love to ride my quad (raptor), I hope one day to open a bed and breakfast using this design and encompass my love of riding into a thriving business!! Many details will have to come into place, but the beauty of the log homes, will certainly add appeal!!
Till Later! Debbie

What is a quad raptor? I got a feeling that's not a horse....I was gonna tell you about a great butt and pass barn I saw.....

Frances

Look, listen and learn
A man who works with his hands is a laborer,
A man who works with his hands and his head is a craftsman,
A man who works with his hands, his head and his heart is an artist.
St Francis of Assisi.

Quad means four.
Ow Frances i just learned that word myself watching one the judge shows.
Its a fancy name for a 4 wheeler toy.
They look fun but way over priced and outlawed in my road areas becuse they rip up the back roads.