I'm hoping logs come much cheaper than this?

[allen84]

Find a new logger.

I thought the same thing when I saw that this morning but didn't have time to respond. Loggers should be like good soldiers and go do what they are told, not try to sell you what they think you need. You may have also asked the right questions the wrong way, you have to speak their language or they'll be head scratching. Taper is not an issue with this build method. I like the taper and the whole log thing.

[edkemper]

This morning I made a species comparison/selection chart to help me decide what kind of logs it makes sense to go after in my neck of the woods. I figured I'd share it, maybe it will help others in the Northeast.

Or you can look at it this way, it sort of doesn't matter unless you're trying to use multiple species.

If it's a species that 1" in 10' or a species that is 3" in 10'. Within the species, it's normally about the same, tree to tree. Since they are all sort of the same, whatever species you choose will come out right.

I think that came out right.

[etd66ss]

Or you can look at it this way, it sort of doesn't matter unless you're trying to use multiple species.

If it's a species that 1" in 10' or a species that is 3" in 10'. Within the species, it's normally about the same, tree to tree. Since they are all sort of the same, whatever species you choose will come out right.

I think that came out right.

When I look at all the data, I think I want the White Pine. Luckily, that should be easier to acquire around here than White Oak.

[Mosseyme]

To each his own, personally the more character a log has the better. The big flared butt ends are really cool and lots of knots are really cool and lots of taper is really cool and curved logs are really cool as long as you can straighten them enough to use them. We have them all and nice great big wide gaps to chink [more insulation]. It is all good. This is the beauty of the LHBA style. Long straight low taper might be a little less work and can be really beautiful but I get bored easily and having every log be quite different from the one before is a wonderful challenge.

[eagle]

To each his own, personally the more character a log has the better. The big flared butt ends are really cool and lots of knots are really cool and lots of taper is really cool and curved logs are really cool as long as you can straighten them enough to use them. We have them all and nice great big wide gaps to chink [more insulation]. It is all good. This is the beauty of the LHBA style. Long straight low taper might be a little less work and can be really beautiful but I get bored easily and having every log be quite different from the one before is a wonderful challenge.

truly RUSTIC, well said

[etd66ss]

To each his own, personally the more character a log has the better. The big flared butt ends are really cool and lots of knots are really cool and lots of taper is really cool and curved logs are really cool as long as you can straighten them enough to use them. We have them all and nice great big wide gaps to chink [more insulation]. It is all good. This is the beauty of the LHBA style. Long straight low taper might be a little less work and can be really beautiful but I get bored easily and having every log be quite different from the one before is a wonderful challenge.

I guess I am targeting white pine because so far I hear it is plentiful around these parts as well as the rot resistance and light weight. I've been told that generally red pine has less taper than white pine.

[etd66ss]

I got another reply from a logger when I inquired about house logs:

In all honesty your plan for using such long logs doesn't sound wise. I can' t imagine having a log in the wall that's twice as big from one end to the other. In addition, you would be wasting your money to buy them from us, the trucking charge would be outrageous.

Not having much luck with loggers so far...

[LowKey]

I got another reply from a logger when I inquired about house logs:

Not having much luck with loggers so far...

As has been said before, loggers should be like good soldier s and simply follow orders....they aren't there to tell you what <they think> you should be doing. I don't want ot sound negative, but do keep in mind they may try to steer you towards whatever has the highest profit margin for them, not what is best for you.

At this point you might want to consider a consulting forester.

[etd66ss]

At this point you might want to consider a consulting forester.

I have a few calls/emails in, no bites yet. I think getting the right logs may be the hardest part of this whole deal...

[allen84]

I like want ads... And I'm kind of OCD about key words, so people can find me in a search. Farm and garden section of craigslist might be a good place to put one. You'll greatly improve your odds of finding the right guy if he has a way to find you.

[allen84]

Also, I think I said it before in some way... Old people, locals and farmers are great people to talk to about anything. My Dad always told me if you want to find something out or find out about someone, just ask them the questions. There is nothing people like to talk about more than themselves and whatever they know that you don't know.

[mudflap]

I was just about to say this. Just took the class- a 2/14/16 graduate. Studied all the other methods- I almost signed up for the 2 week course in Montana. Then I found LHBA. Researched it for years- like 10, at least. Learned about how to get logs for cheap ($0.10 or so) before taking the class, through careful research. Been on my share of forums. THIS one takes the cake. They are even nicer than the people I go to church with. It's unbelievable how nice and helpful these folks are. I wrote notes in the margins of my workbook from the class- I probably have about 100 pages of notes from my 22 hours in class. Those notes are Pure gold, in my opinion. They are not teaching you how to build a log cabin- they are teaching you a completely different lifestyle. Completely transformative. My opinion only.

[etd66ss]

Learned about how to get logs for cheap ($0.10 or so) before taking the class, through careful research.

Is this secret knowledge?

[panderson03]

Been on my share of forums. THIS one takes the cake. They are even nicer than the people I go to church with. It's unbelievable how nice and helpful these folks are. .

that's quite a compliment, sir
glad you're one of the family

[John W]

Or he's in the wrong church.

[LowKey]

that's quite a compliment, sir
glad you're one of the family

I hazard a guess that folks truly interested in personal freedom are, generally speaking, also people who find it important to grant to others the respect that they would want given to them.
TANSTAAFL, after all.

[John W]

All right LowKey!! Somebody else quoting TANSTAAFL.

[LowKey]

All right LowKey!! Somebody else quoting TANSTAAFL.

I'd find it hard to believe that only you and I would be the only ones to do so here on a site populated primarily by people interested in independence. I mean, really......the LHBA should have a brass cannon somewhere in it's logo.

[LowKey]

Sorry, double-tap.

[mudflap]

I just googled TANSTAAFL. . Yeah, I'm not looking for "free" as in "cheap", I'm looking for "free" as in "freedom". Thanks, LowKey, and panderson03

[MPeterson1020]

I just googled TANSTAAFL.

Glad I wasn't the only one who Googled it. LOL

[loghousenut]

I had to Google it, then I hadda Google LOL.

[allen84]

I figured I'd at least wait until loghousenut admitted he googled it until I admitted I googled it too

[mudflap]

But logs don't come much cheaper than this, do they? Right on my property, 22" bottom, 10" top, and about 40' long. I hope I can use them, because there's 80 more just like this one

[Arrowman]

But logs don't come much cheaper than this, do they? Right on my property, 22" bottom, 10" top, and about 40' long. I hope I can use them, because there's 80 more just like this one

I'd design the house around them if I had to...

[mudflap]

That's what I'm thinking. You guys & gals are my inspiration.

[donjuedo]

Very nice log. If you have 80 more just like it, you'll be feeding 81 children!

It reminds me of the old Kenny Rogers' song, "You picked a fine time to leave me, Lucille". I heard the lyrics wrong from day 1, and thought he said, "400 children and a crop in the field, ..." and figured, "Of course she left!"

[mudflap]

Yeah, now it's all about logistics: cut them down before he sells, or get going on the foundation and get a tarp / tent to keep my logs dry? I'm just gonna be thankful the good Lord grew them there.