Actually when we were working out there last summer they weren't bad at all there is almost always a breeze because it is so open seems to keep them at bay.
I'm guessing you mixed all the concrete on site, being too wet to get a mix truck in there ? How bout the excavation? Did you dig by hand to get the son-tubes below frost line ?
my parents built their cabin (16x20) by hauling materials across a lake via 14 ft boat... (getting to the lake is another story). If you hit a snafu PM me, I might be able to offer suggestions from their experience.
The footings have a 30 in square base and are about 4 1/2 below grade. As far as the sono tubes in wet areas the ground we are on is about six to eight feet above the water table. And we mixed all the concrete on site by hand in a wheel barrow we dipped water out of the old beaver pond. We did cheat a little and used a two man auger to dig the holes.
Back in the woods at our home place cut more logs to haul to the cabin. Nice with the swamp froze we it's only about a 3 mile haul through the trail's and across the swamp.
Wwhat keeps the boards on top of the tubes from flopping over? Sure seems like there should be nailers across the ends and maybe up through the center in a couple of places? Looks like a very neat project.
Wwhat keeps the boards on top of the tubes from flopping over? Sure seems like there should be nailers across the ends and maybe up through the center in a couple of places? Looks like a very neat project.
The boards on top of the tubes are the stringers doubled 2x10 24 feet long than we framed the floor on those with 2x8s 24 feet long and tied them together with angled nailing brackets about 60 so they should be well tied together and shouldn't have any worry of them rolling on their side.
This is a view of the lake a few hundred yards across the swamp from the cabin the old dredge ditch at the bottom runs along the edge of the property and leads out to the lake.
Should be nice when you're finished. Keep us posted on potential movement in the sonotubes please
Next time I make it out there in the day light I will take a level and check it out. Been haulingmost of the logs in the dark after work. We are at the point in time year where the frost is pushing pretty hard.
Getting the last of the logs out to the landing and ready for the haul to the cabin. The warm weather is definitely making things difficult the skid roads are almost all mud the haul road to the cabin has alot of grass showing making the sled pull hard.
Hopefully we get a little snow tomorrow make the sled a little easier to pull. Got a few logs left to get to the landing. Hopefully I can get the last of the logs to the cabin this week.
Finally got all the logs out to the cabin this weekend big pile of wall logs got all the rafter logs, joist logs and the ridge beam in another spot. Time to get the wife and kids pealing logs while I'm milling wall logs.
A question for Rick to answer but I think his wife and kids peel them with draw knives if I'm not mistaken. This is a very energetic family that does everything together. Proud to call them my friends.
Gary is correct all the pealing will be done with draw knives. I like doing as much of it the old fashioned way as practical for the time I have.
I have peeled more than my share of logs with Drawing knives. I'll try to take a picture today of an instrument we built to peel logs with. It works incredibly well, especially on the thick bark near the base of a tree. It makes the peeling process faster, and less wrist pain than a drawing knife. It doesn't really provide any relief for your shoulders though.
I'm not working with logs nearly that big. I don't have the equipment to handle those. But I am open to a faster way to peal logs as long as it can be hauled in the back of an argo the haul road is broke up now with all the warm weather we have had.
Got fur, ya might check into one of these. I have never used one but they look like they may be a good tool to have for what you are wanting to do. Could be junk to....LOL
One of the major band saw makers also have the same type tool, but I can't recall which one. I was thinking Norwood but can't find anything in their catalog about them.
I used to get 20 dollars for every 40' log I pealed. Early 80's. Once I finished peeling log I generally had to do them again because the boss wanted more than just the bark peeled off. We had to take a little more off them, I think it prevented them from browning. Not real sure.
Looks like a great location for a cabin, I wish you and your family Good Luck.
Got a few logs peeled for stair rails and such later on.
My daughter got the hang of the draw knife pretty quickly. My son won't be able to help for a few weekends so we will save the rafter poles and ridge beam for when he is helping.
Got out and set up the shed for the sawmill and set the mill up hope to run a few logs next weekend.
Question for got fur. How do you like your portable shelter thats over your mill? Seems like durability is always an issue with those, just wondering what your experiences were.
Sure looks like spring down there, work hard before the bugs wake up. But i dont think you'll have a problem with bugs in your milling shack once you fire up the chainsaw.
The exhaust from your chain saw in that small of an enclosure will be very strong. Can you open both ends of your enclosure so you let some air move through?
The exhaust from your chain saw in that small of an enclosure will be very strong. Can you open both ends of your enclosure so you let some air move through?
My eyes are already watering...looking good enjoying the pics.
Don't have a lot of experience with the portable shelters as far as life span and such just needed something to cover the mill for a few months. When I am running the mill I will open both ends the shelter sits west to east and there is almost always a breeze to carry through.
Here are some photos of the tools we built to peel our logs with. For larger logs with thicker bark, it is way better than a drawing knife. Much faster.
Sharpen the blade from one side only
The thicker heavier steel makes for a good carry thru on each stroke, but it's a real workout for the shoulders.
Thanks for the pics Relic I might try something like that but the wife and kids do most of the pealing so the draw knife is probably easier to handle for them
The floor will be insulated at a later date from underneath there is plenty of room to work under.
Was able to make it out sunday and work on the cabin after setting a few beaver traps Saturday.
Had a chance to get the mill going a run a few logs after building the stairs up to the deck
Takes about a half hour to slab 3 sides and then peal the rest of the bark off. Only about 250 more to go.
Looks good ! We are planning on building a cabin this summer using 6x6 timbers. We were going to just build off a concrete slab, but I'm still weighing our options and kind of like the floor system you built.
Been awhile since I have been able to post. Last couple of months have been a lot of chaos between the constant rain work and getting divorced I haven't gotten as much done as I had hoped at this point. And didn't get alot of pictures but here are a few.
About a third of the saw dust made from running the chain saw mill ran through about 7 1/2 gallons of bar and chain oil.
Couple of pics from the inside as we are getting a few logs stacked
Picture of the out side getting a few courses set and spiked together.
My daughter helping make sure the logs are clean. She takes building the cabin pretty serious isn't afraid to remind me if we are running late getting there.
Had time to get in a little bit of a garden and planted a couple apple trees but they didn't last long.
2. Pin the logs with square hardwood stakes in round holes. NOT rebar.
Lots of work. You're doing a good job !
I thought about staggering the joints but it was all tongue and groove and I didn't have a skill saw on site and I won't try to say I am anywhere close to that good with a chainsaw.
I didn't spike them with rebar I used 3/8 x 12 inch timber spikes rebar seems to bend to easy.
2. Pin the logs with square hardwood stakes in round holes. NOT rebar.
Lots of work. You're doing a good job !
As a builder I also spotted that right away. But I figured it's already done and he must have had a reason for doing it so I didn't say anything. Having to cut the plywood with a chainsaw would be a good reason!
When you sheet the roof, I would certainly stagger the sheeting even if a chainsaw is all you have. It looks like a great place to get away to. Good for you!
That is actually the exact style of walls i was going to do for my trapping cabin. would you still do the 6x6 on 3 sides? or would you do all 4 sides now or just 2 to have the round log appearance on the inside. What length did you do the pieces in? I was thinking 12' bc it's easiest for me to transport and handle myself. do you have any plans for your mill? I was thinking of doing a mini mill with a handcrank like this (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KODnkHqjOpk), but just need to figure out a system to have it at a comfortable working height like yours. did you put a spike in every 3-4 feet down into the log below? and what dimensions are the cabin exterior walls? sorry so many questions haha
One Argo load at a time we got the materials out there. Have to watch the weight and balance so I don't flop it over in the deep holes.
Walking the ridge beam up. Probably not the best or safest way to get it done but it worked. Originally planned to use a log but after peeling most of it found Beatle damage and wasn't going to risk the structure on it.
That is actually the exact style of walls i was going to do for my trapping cabin. would you still do the 6x6 on 3 sides? or would you do all 4 sides now or just 2 to have the round log appearance on the inside. What length did you do the pieces in? I was thinking 12' bc it's easiest for me to transport and handle myself. do you have any plans for your mill? I was thinking of doing a mini mill with a handcrank like this (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KODnkHqjOpk), but just need to figure out a system to have it at a comfortable working height like yours. did you put a spike in every 3-4 feet down into the log below? and what dimensions are the cabin exterior walls? sorry so many questions haha
I don't have plans for the mill I just build it as I figured out what works.
As far as the cabin goes the number of sided you mill is just personal preference I did three to have the natural log look on the outside and semi flat walls on the inside for hanging things and such. It also makes it easier to keep the wall plumb with a level. My wall height is 10 ft so I need to keep it pretty plumb. The building is 24x24 so I used 9 ft logs to give the butt and pass and those were plenty to handle on the step ladder setting the top courses.
I noticed from the inside pic's that the walls have short logs butted together. What did you do to anchor/support, them or do they just set on the lower logs and "float"?
I noticed from the inside pic's that the walls have short logs butted together. What did you do to anchor/support, them or do they just set on the lower logs and "float"?
The logs are spiked together with 10 and 12 inch timber spikes.
Nice! It is amazing what a guy can do by himself if you put your mind to it. Great job and keep us posted on your progress. The snow will be flying pretty soon. Good luck.
Just finished up a 40x40 shop building,all by myself,so I understand when you say,step back and think on it a bit..lol Looks like a swell job. You are an inspiration.
Finished up the roof sheathing and got the tar paper on it. Hauled a few windows out and got a couple put in. Have a couple more to put in than try to get the mortar done this weekend and hopefully the steel on the roof the following weekend. Time isn't on my side but I think I can make it fingers crossed.
Wow, you've come a long ways since the last time I checked in on this thread. Keep up the good work, it won't be long and you'll be perking coffee on the wood stove in the mornings.
Posco >>>> we need to hear more and see more of your project. Yes a lot of work indeed.
I don't want to hijack his thread but mine is twenty-four by thirty. A friend and I cut the logs off the property surrounding my cabin. He passed away last year. Spent ten long days just peeling the logs and there are still logs left to be peeled.
Milled them myself, notched them myself. It's been a lifelong dream of mine. Bought the land on property I've hunted for more than forty years.
Posco >>>> we need to hear more and see more of your project. Yes a lot of work indeed.
I don't want to hijack his thread but mine is twenty-four by thirty. A friend and I cut the logs off the property surrounding my cabin. He passed away last year. Spent ten long days just peeling the logs and there are still logs left to be peeled.
Milled them myself, notched them myself. It's been a lifelong dream of mine. Bought the land on property I've hunted for more than forty years.
I understand >>> I find your journey very interesting and I would encourage you to start your story on your build. I can't imagine the work that goes into a cabin like you guys are doing. I have a cabin/shack that I did but not from logs. That was a ton of work because every piece was carried or pulled by hand to building spot and all cuts etc. was done by hand no generator or power. I'm sure more would love to hear your story.
I'll get some pictures up this weekend its been a busy last few months last spring and summer. In late May a dear friend of mine was diagnosed with cancer on June 1st I took her in for her first round of treatment and 8 days later she passed. When she passed she left me a farm with cattle and equipment right now I stay with her husband who also has stage 4 cancer and take of him and the farm. Due to fading health over the years the fences and such were in disrepair and I spent most of the summer rebuilding fences and putting hay and getting things in order for there estate. The cabin and the farm have 40 acres in between which I have since purchased to make access a little easier and in tge future maybe build a road. As for the cabin I did live in it all last winter till June and finished the cieling with tounge and groove weatern red cedar have my solar system up and running. With the swamp froze now I've been out every day kerping it heated to start working on the hardwood floors and slate tile this winter. I'll get mire pictures and updates in tge next couple days I appreciate the intrest. And would like to see others share as well.
I understand >>> I find your journey very interesting and I would encourage you to start your story on your build. I'm sure more would love to hear your story.
I appreciate it and I'll start a thread on it. Got tons of pics of the entire project.
I understand >>> I find your journey very interesting and I would encourage you to start your story on your build. I'm sure more would love to hear your story.
I appreciate it and I'll start a thread on it. Got tons of pics of the entire project.
I don't know if this link will work and doesn't have anything to do with the cabin build just one of the things I have been up to. When I got the farm the primary tractor was an international 756 gas and very very thirsty. I bought the 59 hp Kubota with a/c and such for a steal. There was an old H&S v rake and after using it didn't care for how it worked and wanted to be a little more efficient with working full time have my daughter and taking my friend Bob fir treatment doesn't leave much time to hay. So out came the welder and cutting torches and this was the first run I made some minor changes after. I used it to finish the hay season about 300 bales and worked out well.
This is another link of a video I made replacing the first batch of mortar I used on the cabin as it didn't work out. It was a trial and error thing but the type s is holding up real well and the remainder will be replaced this spring.
I took a couple of pictures when I was out at the cabin today. The first picture is from the living room looking up stairs the railing I build with log posts 2x6s across the top and rebar running through. I liked the look of the rebar vs all log as it kept the railing more open.
The second picture is from up stairs looking at the west wall. The gable ends were framed with lumber so I used some rough sawn lumber I bought from a friend of mine the was milled in 94-95. The match was almost perfect considering there's over 20 years difference in mill times. Its the same lumber I will use to board and batten the gable ends.
The third and final picture is from the dormer that I built as what is essentially the bed room and the view looking out the second story window.
I plan to be out at the cabin more in the weeks to come finishing logs on the inside, installing hard wood floors and slate tile I will try to be more diligent about taking pictures and videos. I appreciate everyone's intrest.
The first image is the cabin shortly after it was weathered in the beginning of the video link will show the logs after I sealed them this fall.
The board and batten that I will be putting on the gable ends will be stained the same way. I'll try to get a few closer pics when I'm out there in day light.
We're out at the cabin a little bit today working inside on log staining and things check out the link and I'll post some pictures as well.
Got a few more of my taxidermy mounts put up last night so there out of the way of the staining and flooring. Well add the grouse on the limb yet today as well.
sawing one up myself, aromatic cedar logs 6 inches thick and about 9 inches wide. 12 by 18' or therabouts anyone interested, it will be for sale/ you move it. stsill got a bunch of logs to saw up 18 to 24' long.only about 5 coarses high right now.
I was out to Got Furs cabin today with him. What an awesome job he has done. Hard to believe one man can do all of this labor by himself. The place is AWESOME.
sawing one up myself, aromatic cedar logs 6 inches thick and about 9 inches wide. 12 by 18' or therabouts anyone interested, it will be for sale/ you move it. stsill got a bunch of logs to saw up 18 to 24' long.only about 5 coarses high right now.
sawing one up myself, aromatic cedar logs 6 inches thick and about 9 inches wide. 12 by 18' or therabouts anyone interested, it will be for sale/ you move it. stsill got a bunch of logs to saw up 18 to 24' long.only about 5 coarses high right now.
sawing one up myself, aromatic cedar logs 6 inches thick and about 9 inches wide. 12 by 18' or therabouts anyone interested, it will be for sale/ you move it. stsill got a bunch of logs to saw up 18 to 24' long.only about 5 coarses high right now.
Building just to sell?
had all of these nice long straight cedar logs, so what else was I to do, especialy since I just added a 12' extention to my mill. now I can cut up to 32'. I just finished my brothers timberframe which had some massive 12" x 16" X 28'oak timbers in it.
MIne would be great if someone had time to sand the inside walls to get the color back and do the outside of the logs. I have one of the jointer heads that go on the end of a chainsaw. It gives a handhewd look to the logs and on cedar around knots brings out the red. I have done a lot of that for mantels for different builders in the st. Louis area. I wish I had the back to do the whole outside of the cabin like that. THat job would be for a youngster.
Well we haven't been able to get as much done the last few days with the holiday and cold weather spent a lot of time filling wood stoves and spending time with family and friends. We did make it out to do a little work. I did manage to get out and shoot a couple videos. I got the wall mount heater installed and plumbed with work and the farm its been tough to keep the temp up in the cabin with only tending it two or three times a day when farm work needs to get done. Most nights I've been able to get out about 9 and work for 2-3 hours and then back out 6-6:30 to get the stove stocked up and putts a little before heading to work.
I'll try to get some more pictures posted as well.
Thanks for the intrest any questions feel free to post or pm and I'll do the best I can and try to keep updating as things go.
I haven't been able to do much the last couple weeks my buddy bob has been sick and the cold weather has pretty well kept me tending stoves and such. I had to get a new phone and hopefully will work better for posting pictures and video.
For the guys and gals that aren't in to the YouTube I will try to post pictures as well as videos in the future
This is the Dyna Glo 30,000 btu wall mount heater I finished installing at the cabin over the Christmas weekend I plumbed it out side to a 100lb Lp tank with a two stage regulator. So far it seems to work good with the cold weather its a nice supplement to the wood stove when I'm unable to be out there all the time. I did notice fuel consumption is pretty high with the heater on all the time but with the temp a couple air leaks to shore up and a couple changes to the heater I think I can get it dialed in.
These are a couple pictures of the wood stove set up we have. I switched to this stove from the original this is a Wood Pro 2000. The original stove which I bought was shop built and put off a lot of heat and but it was difficult to control draft had no fire brick and didn't hold a fire well so we upgraded to this one. I had to do some modification to the new one to make it draft and not choke the fire out. I will get better more in-depth pictures of the modification when the stove is cooled down. Basically it was cutting a small hole above the draft door to allow additional air into the fire box. The air flow can still be regulated and I can still get close to 15 hours burn with good wood.
The chimney set up is for mounting on the outside of the building I just mounted it inside and ran it through the roof that way I can take the clean out off and sweep it from inside. If you still have some heat coming off the stove or a real low fire the updraft will carry the dust and fines up the chimney and you don't get much at all for dust and such inside. So far this setup has worked well with a 7-12 steel roof I'm not climbing it in the winter and with log walls and 24 in overhang on the gable end running the pipe up the outside really isn't practical and wouldn't be very eye appealing.
Next project is getting a fan to circulate warm air from upstairs down. The some inside mortar and hardwood floors and slate tile
This is a couple of pictures of the modification I made to the Wood Pro2000 woodstove. I removed all the fire brick and the gasification tubes for the secondary burn in order to gain enough clearance to get the drill and 2 inch hole saw in the fire box. The hole was larger than what is needed that's why when I put the fire brick back in I cut the brick to cover up half the hole. The hole is cut just in front of the ash plug which I don't use anyway the hole is still directly over the ash pan and can still be controlled by the sliding damper as seen in the second picture.
The second picture is looking in from the ash pan compartment you can see the ash plug in the bottom right and the sliding draft door to the upper left of the hole I cut. With the door being able to close off the draft and the ability to let the ash fall through the fldraft hole in to the ash pan it has been a great fix. From the factory it was difficult to get the stove to draft well enough to throw good heat.
The video may give a better idea of the modification
Posted By: Anonymous
Re: Building a log cabin - 01/08/1812:02 AM
That is an amazing build. I had forgotten about this thread. And I pee and moan when I have to build a doghouse.
So we got out to the cabin this afternoon got a little work done and addressed our air circulation problem I will take some pictures when I get back out there tonight.
While I was out there I was able to finish up the bobcat and grouse mount and get the limb mounted to the wall.
I tried to scribe the limb onto a wall log with a large section of live edge to make it appear to be part of the log not just mounted to a flat wall. In the long run I may take the limb back down and lightly sand it to lighten to appearance and better blend it with the wall logs.
I didn't epoxy the grouse to the limb as many mounts are I figure with it being up high I'm not real concerned about it going anywhere and I can just pick it off the limb when I need to clean it.
The otter that is sitting below the bobcat will be the next project we'll get that mounted above the tv. I have a few more things to get hung up and out of the way and we'll get to working on flooring and such.
This is a video we made while getting the limb put up for the grouse to sit on in front of the Bob cat.
Next project will be getting a limb scribes to the support post that is behind the television and get the otter mount sitting on that. Then we'll move on to making a bracket to hang the bear trap on the wall. Once we get some of these things up on the walls and out of the way we'll be able to get back to working on the cabin it's self.
Have you considered a outside air intake kit for your woodstove? Any air being evacuated from the structure through your chimney has to be made up from air reentering your building either through an air intake or it's going to be pulled in through cracks and crevices. Makes for drafty window and door openings.
Have you considered a outside air intake kit for your woodstove? Any air being evacuated from the structure through your chimney has to be made up from air reentering your building either through an air intake or it's going to be pulled in through cracks and crevices. Makes for drafty window and door openings.
Very simple to do.
I have a fresh air intake coming in the back of the stove that goes through the floor. It does indeed make a world of difference and is a great tip for anybody that doesn't have that set up.
So I had a problem with a cold air barrier on the floor of the cabin from about knee level down. I did consider putting in a cieling fan but didn't want the continual draw on the battery bank and also wanted something with a little more flexibility. After a little looking around I found a Dewalt 20 volt cordless or corded 7 in variable speed fan paired with a 20 volt 6 amp hours battery I can run the fan on medium speed for about 24 hours. With two batteries I can charge one during the day when the sun is out and swap them out in the evening.
Nice part with the fan it has a bunch of mounting options there are pull out brackets on the back to hang off dimensional lumber which works will with the 2x6 railing. There is also a threaded metal boss on the bottom as well as key hole slots so there is a bunch of ways you can mount it. Just something to consider if you need air circulation especially if you already have 20 volt dewalt tools.
Well I got the last of the stuff hung up on the wall and out of the way. Getting the bear trap hung the way I wanted was a little bit of a challenge. I came up with a square u-bolt from a trailer or helper spring.
I drilled 1/2 holes in the wall angled back a about 30 degrees so the u bolt would slide in nicely. The threads on the end couples with the trap spring wanting to spread the u-bolt locked it in and holds it nicely.
Now that we got everything up out of the way we can get back to working on the actual cabin.
We'll we finally got the trim put around the balcony door and upstairs window. The window was pretty simple just just boxed in the inside with 1x6s. We ripped some 1x4 s down to go around the door.
I didn't get pictures of that work I apologize. Next project will be the closet and I'll try to take pictures of that.
Here's a couple more random videos I put together.
After a couple days taking care of Bob he's back to feeling well so I'm back to workin. We started working on the closet and got the front done. I'll post pictures later.
I'm going to try to cut the videos up in segments seems that people lose interest on long videos so I'll try to keep them short and pack in as much stuff as I can and I added some stupid outtakes at the end for those who watch long enough
Thanks for the interest Feel free to ask questions and leave feed back
I always love when I take pictures on my phone and then I can't find them!😡 Anyways this is the start of the closet I'll post a couple more pictures later and explain as I go.
Little change of pace, middle of January and almost 40 degrees I decided to get the skidder out get some fire wood pulled up have a little fun and make a whole lot of noise with the 353 Detroit
I'll get back to the cabin this week I'll also have a walk through/ update video in the next couple days.
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