Introduce yourself

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Originally Posted by Timberwright

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....

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Very respectable and well stated, thankyou

Thank you.

Blondie

Your all very welcome group! I look forward to telling him and his wife to get to class! He knows its hard work, and I know he will love it like I do, it isn't a job, its living all of our dreams together, some are just brave enough to do it themselves like you guys do,,, bravo forum.

Hi Jeff,
Thanks for your positive encouragement for what we are doing here. It is rare that we get that from a " pro".
I would enjoy seeing some of your work if you have photos.

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Originally Posted by Timberwright

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....

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Thanks, and I would be delighted to post some photo's. I am carving a Scan Full Scribe Bar today for a new home were snowed out of up north. I will take some photo's. I will also pick some others photos to post. As it pertains to the attitude of a professional Vs whom ever. In my view, and it has been my experience that respect is won and lost both ways! Be proud of what you guys or anyone is doing, but be forever reminded that all the methods in building log structures comes down to each of us as individuals being safe, and building it as instructed per plan. As far as what method is the best, that is of your individual taste and what you want! Timber applications very with every style. In all cases it will come down to the integrity of the structure, and its efficiency in many respects as YOU build it. I could go on for hours, but I wont. I have get carving.... type with ya later today....

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Originally Posted by Timberwright

Mark and his wife will have to practice on a smaller scale on there own.

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Generally, our first build is a shed or some other small building... I built a shed for my well that includes a second story with a queen sized bed. The real strength of our way of building are two things, IMHO, the walls do not shrink (the logs do of course) and its well adapted for low skilled builders. My chain saw skills are or were poor but I can drill a hole and pound steel with the best.

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Originally Posted by rocklock

Generally, our first build is a shed or some other small building... I built a shed for my well that includes a second story with a queen sized bed. The real strength of our way of building are two things, IMHO, the walls do not shrink (the logs do of course) and its well adapted for low skilled builders. My chain saw skills are or were poor but I can drill a hole and pound steel with the best.

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That is how I learned Dave, my Grandfather made me rebuild it three times as I remember it. (Just walls) I was 13 yrs old and I was only building 4 ft walls with "I think" 6 inch n-pine. It was a 6 ft by 6ft stack on dirt that i had to wedge after my first round. I remember I couldn't keep end center lines lined up (Center of Log), Oh boy looking back I was sure he was messing with me then, but he wasn't, he was teaching me the trade. I'm grateful everyday for that! Growing up under his heavy watch as I would screw up here and there was memories I will never forget. I remember him telling Grandma, "dont worry about firewood for for every mistake he makes he loads in the truck for firewood. By the end of my first summer working we had a few cords of firewood. lol

Is it peeled firewood. :) . That would be some clean firewood. Here is a pic of my first build. It's 10x10 tool shed. It's not complete. On outside it needs chinking. But I'm working on it slow. I stopped at one point and put all effort in the 2100sf log home, second pic is where I'm at now with a house. Thanks for your stories on learning your trade.

http://i1225.photobucket.com/albums/...d/IMAG0612.jpg

http://i1225.photobucket.com/albums/.../image-5-1.jpg

lol, it was indeed, and guess who peeled most of them, ya me! Your rustic B/P 10x10 looks pretty clean. Good Job!

Here is mine and I was of very little skill before and maybe even afterwards, but I ask and can follow directions, I had to have my logs graded and needed engineer wet stamp for my plans, it is over kill for sure. Here is my sort of finished home, still have wrap around decks and some other basic stuff, but it is doable even for someone like me.

http://i1204.photobucket.com/albums/...DSC_0189-1.jpg

beautiful, Dazed!

I live in Des Moines but from southern Ia. Going to class in couple weeks!

welcome hewman:) we're living and building in MN

Where in Mn? Have family in Afton.

we're building in Ottertail county!

Hello, my name is Stuart (Stu).... originally from the UK and now living in Alberta Canada. I've always wanted to build a log home and with the help of you guys I'm going to do it :)

Look forward to reading through everyone's stories...

welcome Stuart from Canada! we lost one of our own named Stuart just a few short years ago. nice to have another on board! there are others on this site from Canada who took the class and built. maybe one of them will reach out.
glad you found us! welcome

Welcome Stu, Read, read, read. If you want to build your own log home with your own hands, you're at the right site (or is it rite sight?). Alberta's a big ole place, where are you?

The wife and I just signed up for the class starting March 8th. Its been years of reading other member posts and waiting for this day !!! Can't wait to get my official LHBA Member tag next to my name !!! I joined a long time ago and used to talk to one of the other members "Kola" that I haven't see here recently. He has a Teepee up near my land I plan on building on some day soon. (Cripple Creek, CO). my account was so old it got blown away because I didn't use it enough I know this sounds crazy but I am so excited I feel like a little kid. Well I stop my online happy dance.. Cya on the other side.
-Chris

Welcome Chris, Kola is back around on here and it as his place in Colorado. I will be out in Salida later this month working on a place there.

Thanks rckclmbr428
Maybe we can check out your place in Salida after we finish the class . :-)

Gimme a shout, you can contact me through my signature

Hey Loghousenut, I'm here in Calgary on the west side of the city. As close to the mountains as I can get without actually living there. I'm addicted to this forum and will build a log home... was thinking about grabbing some land near Golden (BC) ... under three hours from here. Love this forum and can't wait to get the class under my belt. I'm already starting to bore most people I know of log home chat. :) Stu

Rockclimber,

You are doing another instant build, huh?!!!! Great! I can hardly wait for pix. How big is it...... One thing in counsel the weather this time of year is "changeable" and unforgiving at best.

Blondie

Blondie, as of now I will be building at least 3, maybe 4 this summer. Colorado is just window and door cutouts and chinkinb

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Originally Posted by stuarty

Hey Loghousenut, I'm here in Calgary on the west side of the city. As close to the mountains as I can get without actually living there. I'm addicted to this forum and will build a log home... was thinking about grabbing some land near Golden (BC) ... under three hours from here. Love this forum and can't wait to get the class under my belt. I'm already starting to bore most people I know of log home chat. :) Stu

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Stu... Funny thing about Golden. I fell in love with the place, some 40 years ago, when I spent some time there on a "round the wherever" motorcycle trip with my best old buddy, Neil. I always had it in my head that I wanted to immigrate to Golden and find a little chunk of heaven and just live there.

Then along comes a Honda Valkyrie and a handmade trailer and the Woman I love, and in 2006 we headed out for Canada and all the places I remembered from all those many years ago. We spent a lot of time in BC, and she really enjoyed the way I knew all the great attractions of Victoria. But I couldn't wait to get her into the interior a bit and explore with her the garden spot of the universe, Golden, BC.

What a DUMP! I found the motel where my buddy and I stayed after 3 days of solid rain... I found the laundromat where I had sat naked in the restroom while Neil washed everything I owned... I found that little beer joint where we had a few burgers and played a bit of pool... I found everything except the memory of the garden spot of the universe!

I think I know what happened. The first time there, Neil and I had been through motorcycle hell weather and when Golden appeared, suddenly the flowers bloomed and the bird sang.

On the 2006 trip it started raining in Golden and the Boss didn't quit whining until halfway through the Okanogan Valley on the way back to the States. She acted like the drowned rat that she looked like and I could do nothing right. I kept trying to be a good tour guide but all she could see was the rain and the gloom and what an idiot I was to ever bring her to that godforsaken spot without a motorhome or a cruise ship to hide in.

I think the country around Golden would most likely be a PERFECT place for a couple to build their log home. Sure glad I don't have to try to convince my Boss to pull up stakes and move there.

Funny thing how the little things in life affect the big things.

Rockclimber,

Your summer schedule seems to be a little spare. You have 3 confirmed cabins at 8.5 days each. That is a total of 25.5 days of work. hummmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm I am I missing something? lol

I remember well a Canadian vacation with the family years ago. BC and Calgary. 21 days of camping. 20 days of rain and the most beautiful scenery and fishing a guy could ever ask for. My hope is that the area hasn't gone the way of most places here in the states.

Just call me Seabass... we have a small log home and want to add an attached greenhouse and also build a covered stairway and porch. I'm hoping to find information here about design/engineering and building/builders in the Pacific Northwest. Looking forward to reading your posts.

welcome,Seabass. glad you found us. others have added on additions to log homes built this way. what was the building method of your log home?

HELP!!!!

We have just purchased 40 acres of ridges & ravines, wanting to build a cabin within the year. Found out prices to get water, power & septic. Oh lord! What are some alternatives? Anybody Please?

Okay, I will jump in. Power you can use solar panels for power. Water, you can truck in if necessary. But I would check out the laws in your state about drilling a well. See if the state requires you to be a licensed driller. Find out how deep the water table is.... Call a septic company or several excavation contractors and ask them about septic systems. Call the state and ask if you can put the septic system in yourself with their supervision.

Blondie

We had septic put in, I have solar panels ready, and we haul water. Love it.

Isn't anyone gonna say "Take the class"?

And where is this 40 acres, Mr. 'n Mrs. Crazy?

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Originally Posted by loghousenut

Isn't anyone gonna say "Take the class"?

And where is this 40 acres, Mr. 'n Mrs. Crazy?

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The 40 acres are in East Tennessee!

Do you get all your power from solar panels? Stored in batteries? What brand of panels? Cost? What do you hold your water in? Thank you for any help! Cabin racy!

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Originally Posted by Cabincrazy

The 40 acres are in East Tennessee!

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It's too late for me to be up and it's 3 hours later for you. Maybe I'm Nuts and you're Crazy.

Making juice beyond the end of the power line is totally doable and there are several ways to do it, depending on water, wind and solar resources. You already have the land so all you have to do is get a generator out there and then start playing around with ways to make power cheaper and quieter. Subscribe to "Home Power" magazine.

Read everything in "Solar Power and Alternative Energy" here on this site and wake me up at noon tomorrow (I think I must mean TODAY!).


PS... So what kind of a cabin are you figuring on. That's the part of this thing that we are all good at.

Well Cabincrazy,

First you need to take the LHBA class. Mean while you need to dive into the web and do research. Learn how solor panels work, how to store power in batteries and how to use a generator. I purchased German made panels rather than Chinese made. I have purchased a 1500 gallon tank to store well water in. The well pump will be solor powered and will only run when solar power is available. Been looking a well pumps. kinda interesting. You have some time before the next class startes. After class there is alot here in the blog about solar power here. I have purchased 11 new Pella windoows of a Craigs list like site for $300.00. If you check prices most Pella windows start at $350.00.

Blondie

I hauled water (artesian spring a mile away) until I got my rainwater catchment system going. I'm currently using a combo of solar and generator, but will be going full solar/wind in the near future. I installed my own septic, but was still pricey on materials alone. (~$10k)

If this all sounds overwhelming, just sit back and relax and know that it is only a series of steps in whatever direction you want to go. It can be as easy or as hard as you want it to be and it will never be over. It will be a very rewarding way to live.


Just think of all the poor saps who are sitting on a fake fur couch in an apartment somewhere wishing it were still the good old days when a couple could go out and build their own log home with their own hands. They just don't know.

On this site you'll meet people who can do anything they put their mind to.

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