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We live in eastern Washington. Bought acreage there in 1998, got 160 logs at the time to build our house and a shop but at the time just weren't able to proceed. There was a lot of work preparing the land (building site, road, etc) and since the two of us did everything ourselves it all took much longer than anticipated. The logs are good for firewood and we are starting over beginning with looking for house logs. That about it in a nutshell :)
Thank you!
You got grit and a positive mindset, I'd wager a log home an shop will happen for you.Quote:
Originally Posted by Neuby
Thanks for the encouragement!
hello everyone this is my first post and i have been reading alot on this site good topics and really helpful people and i am soo looking forward to attending a class and eventually build my own log home hey neuby just curious are you near the okinogan highlands area? i have been looking at land on this website in that general area looks beautiful! anyway i look forward to doing alot of research on this site and learning thanks to all for the help!
Hi everyone. My name is Steve Millsap. I am currently in Missouri. I retired early in life at the age of 45. I am now 60. I lost my wife in December of 2011.
I have sang southern gospel throughout the southeast and southwest with a group based out of Louisiana. I am a original "Louisianaian" but have come to love Missouri.
I am very new to log home building and want to learn all I can as I am fixing to build my final home. Trying to see if I can learn. I have heard about nightmares concerning settling and that is why I am here.
Thanks.
Hi Steve, you are in the right place... no settling in our buildings. Welcome.
Steve;Quote:
Originally Posted by bayou316
Sorry to hear about your wife... My wife and I are going on 46 years... I would be, well never mind...
I am soon to be 70. My sons and I have built a log home. Look at my pictures... Do not think that you are too old.
Read all you can.
good luck
Welcome Steve and rockinlog. This is a good place for you to start. Read as much as you can and then consider taking a class. Next class is in March. You will her the "take the class" echo. There is a reason for that. But for now it's good to read bunch on settling issues on this forum. You can search specific threads/posts on settling. Read those and go on searching other info you are looking for. 60 years young is not bad, you can do it. Do you want a loghome or are u thinking stick build. If a log home, then this is the best place to be.
thank you very much ivanshayka for the warm welcome i look forward to getting to know some good people on here and learning!Quote:
Originally Posted by ivanshayka
Hello Steve and Rockinlog - welcome to our forum. Read all you can on the public side, and then there is about 15 - 20 times more info on the members side. The only way to get there is to take the class. Whether or not you end up building using this method, taking the class will be enlightening and well worth the experience. Many things you learn you could apply to a stick-built home.
Steve - I'm building in central Missouri, where abouts are you?
thank you plumb level! i intend to take the class hopefully i can make the march class im only a couple hours away from vegas but i have no idea where im going to build yet but looking forward to the adventure as i retire in a few months!!Quote:
Originally Posted by Plumb Level
When thinking about and looking for land I would suggest you wait until you have attended the class. Many things change with the class and the one major thing that I wish we could have done differently would be to have the foundation done before getting the logs as Rod is doing. You never know what life will throw at you and how long the logs might have to wait to go on the walls. The less time the better.
thank you mosseyme! i appreciate the tip and due to finances the land will be bought after the class lol im really looking forward to attending and learning on this site thanks again!Quote:
Originally Posted by Mosseyme
My name is Chris, I am from North Carolina and currently working in Afghanistan as a contractor. Cannot wait til get home to look for land and to attend the class. Will be home in June and hope to attend the class. Have always wanted a log home...
Welcome Chris,
We are building in NC, as are several others. Be safe and get back here so you can get started.
Hey there, my name is rick! I plan on building a log home to retire in. Should be a lot of fun, if my dad were still here I know he would get a kick out of building one.
Just wondering, I keep seeing people mention "models", do I need to build a model of my log home before attending the class?
I don't have property yet but I believe I have an idea of what I want.
Welcome RW, Don't build or buy before taking the class. Your ideas will change after class. Keep reading everything here, sign up and take the class.Quote:
Originally Posted by rickwaldo
Welcome Rick!!! Some folks build a model after they have gone to class just to get the kinks worked out about how their home will go together. Some folks build a practice shed also.
Don't worry about it til you've gone to class.
Hi all,
I live in Iowa and have just started gathering information and looking for a property to build. Seems overwhelming at first. Considering attending class in Vegas in march if there are openings. Haven't pulled the trigger yet. Looking forward to learning all I can and it sounds like the class is the best way to get that done.
Chris
Pull the trigger on Vegas. It'll help you to get them ducks all lined up in a row.
Hello everyone! my name is Jeff, I am pleased to be here checking out everything. My younger brother and his wife want to build there own log home "with there own hands". This of course worries me! But it is completely possible! As they have come to me at least a dozen times with there ideas, their willingness to learn and so on, and on, and on.
So the last few times they visited my job sites I've noticed they have ironed out what style, size, and time frame, budget, and that they can apply themselves to their build. With there property in hand, and with standing dead lodge pole, some fir, and some oak they can draw from there own harvest to there build. ( I will fall them for them, but that is about all I can do as time isn't on my side! Mark (My Brother) and his wife have decided to keep it simple and go with butt and pass w/t horizontal bottom s/cope bearing on chink each round. I knew he was ready when he spoke of end copes, and vertical P-Chink.
On a few occasions I have attempted to teach him Scandinavian full scribe, top of the saddle shrink allowances, and such but that isn't for him, or any first timer! He even made attempts to do the traditional round saddle to 1/2 centerline and on and on..." he didn't do that bad, but an entire home, not hap!"
So his wife was asking about classes in Vegas, and will it help them beyond what I've taught them. I told them I would check it out, and here I am.... As a Master Timberwright and having built log homes for over 33 yrs I wish I could just drop everything and just help them build it, but my boss is a @#$%^& and that isn't happening either. My brother also lives in Western CO, around a days travel for them to your class. Jeff
Jeff, I'll bet your brother and his bride would eat up every word uttered in LHBA class. They'd be like a couple of sponges soaking in as much as they could hold. Then they would know that they could build their own log home with their own four hands. They'd be plugged into the members side of this forum, talking to a gaggle of folks who went to the same class and are currently building (or finished building) their own log home.
The problem is, and don't take this as an insult, you'd be constantly trying to get them to make changes in the build that can throw a monkey wrench in the works. To you, the LHBA method will seem crude, rough, ugly, tasteless, and "just can't work".
To us, the LHBA method is the strongest, longest lasting way to build a log home and any fool can do it. To us this very simple system turns out a log home that a couple can be proud of, knowing that their Grandkids Kids may oneday grow old in it with all of the original wall logs still intact.
We like the fact that we do not have to allow for settling, and yet we will never lose a window. We woulbn't have it any other way... But I am sure you would hate it and that could be a real rub for your family.
I say if you can be the kind of brother who could allow your brother to build this way without letting him know that you hate it, then this could be their dream come true. They could build their house without a mortgage like we are. It could have WOW factor in a way that is different from the WOW factor incorperated in your builds.
Heck, maybe when it's done you could even honestly tell them how proud and impressed you are with what they have accomplished.
One other thing. My only relationship with LHBA is that I took the class in 1981 and am currently building the home I will die in.
Well hello, and Good Morning!
....and as a note I've learned over time not to judge to quick, and as a log home builder myself there is always something out there I haven't done, very little I haven't seen in Log. Now as far as B/P goes, and non settling through deflective bearing to non or some what slotted corner posts is nothing new, as it was born out of safety and lifting not style! Even vertical log pilasters from grade beam off set into the inside of the log wall, typically this is used for log superstructures, but that to has been done in small cabins. Now ugly wont work with Mark at all, as he has seen how beautiful and efficient it can be when done right!
Now as the birth of Log building was out of necessity not style, it was fine in the infancy of Log Cabins over its hundreds and hundreds of years it has grown in leaps and bounds. Having said that their is a passion in building from nature, and a satisfaction in seeing what is possible! Over the years watching some of the Log home owners play some part in what were doing in their future dream home, and it is amazing watching them! I will spend some time this morning reading and possibly seeing some photos. Now for some more coffee.....
Timberwright,
You sound like quite a guy. You have SERIOUS personal history with log building and a brilliant mind. I salute your support of your brother and sis in law. Not many folks would commit themselves to such a large task and for themselves. I would personally urge you to take the class. The building method is just different enough from every other process that you will become very frustrated, I have no doubt that by noon on Saturday of the class you will sit back in your chair and have your lights go one. It is very logical and simple in an off handed way. It makes every other method look like building sidewards. One of our number helps folks with their builds. Last fall he and two helpers went from the top of the basement wall to completing the roof in 8 1/2 days on a 40x40. That is the shell not the whole cabin, mind you. Building with real whole and just peeled logs. In my humble opinion the class is worth the time, effort and boss hassle to go. The class is normally offered over a weekend so that working folks like you and me can take a plane in late on Friday and screech out late Sunday afternoon.
If you have questions, sing out and we will try to help.
Blondie
I knew nothing about almost everything. I took the class in May of 04. Started with the beginning of the forum... My first post was in this same thread about clearing land... on page one...
The point is if your willing to work hard, smart and use the knowledge presented, a rather good looking home can be the result. We are here to help. See my video and realize that I could barely operate a chain saw when I started... OBTW, I just turned 70 this month so age has little to do with building... Attitude is everything.
Where in IA? I'm in Sioux Center.Quote:
Originally Posted by hewman
As a Lead Timerwright and Foreman for an International Log home builder I've build dozen's of handcrafted butt and pass, and that style is perfect for my brother and his wife to build (If you read my post) for all the reasons listed in my other posts above this is something they can do. Now as for me, I have a 4300 sq ft 20-24 inch Scandinavian Full Scribe I built 16 yrs ago. I really wish I could just drop everything and help them build it, but that isn't possible with my schedule.
Quote:
Originally Posted by rocklock
Great Work in your Vid, and your attention to detail is perfect!
I have supplied Mark and his wife all the tools he will need to satisfy your timberwright shop steward, and I got them Husqvarna safety gear for Christmas. They have a couple of my Chainsaws to work with, one to carve H-T445, one for heavy work H-XP-562.
A few questions, is testing done by a structural forensics log inspector? How long is the class? Cost? What species and size will they be cutting, carving and stacking. Will they learn UBC Log requirement for there State or in general? How much of the course covers Grade Beams, steal tying, form setting, setting bolts, Pier Caps, and plan reading? and thanks for all of your responses.....
there in Western Co, not sure what county, and Im not sure what there codes are there. I built a log home in Vail and they had great inspectors, but weak on code compared to Ca.
Blondie, thank you for your post, a question? Did you type or miss type that the class was over a weekend?
I will eat my hat if this goes anywhere positive.:)
Timberwright,
The guys are giving me a bad time because they figure that with your experience and bright mind you will blow me off. I am going to take a big step and say that the class is a two day class over a weekend. Does it teach EVERYTHING we need to know about building a log cabin, of course NOT. But it does give enough information that you know where to find help. These blogs on the member's side are a great sounding board for those of us who need help. Please realize that "we" are not selling anything. No one will have their hands out for money or try to talk you into anything. Taking the class is your decision. IF you decide that the class has not been worth it you may ask for the tuition back. To this date no one has.
Blondie
Blondie :) You have my greatest respect. You are kind and helpful.
Log Al
Thank you Blondie, I appreciate your candor. Again thanks. For Mark and his wife this might very well be a great base for them to push on in building there log home. Thank you all!
As Blondie said(sorta), it is impossible to learn everything you'll need from a 2 day class, I was not expecting that. However, after I took the class it gave me a complete different perspective on getting this done, all in a positive way. It showed me that anyone can do it with no experience like me. I think with too much knowledge it may muddy the waters a bit for a first timer so if Timberwright keeps that in mind for Mark and his wife, all should work out fine.
Mark and his wife will have to practice on a smaller scale on there own, and they can learn, and touch base with whom ever they meet here (Like minded) and at this school in Vegas. As far as blowing you, or anyone off, I wont. You all are very much on the right track with what Ive read in your forum, for what you want to do!!!. Nothing is gained by any kind of a pissing contest. I know that most of you, as you've stated are going after your dream of building your own log home! Most of you this is, or was your first Log, or home build period! Bless your hearts! Ive delivered your dreams, and mine to hundreds in my 33 yrs of building Log structures, from Pro Bass, Forestry, Mansions, to the personal warm cozy log cabins! Its a life we all choose and in that, we all win....