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General => Owner-Builder Projects => Topic started by: Ernest T. Bass on July 23, 2008, 05:36:42 PM

Title: Pics of our vertical log cabin
Post by: Ernest T. Bass on July 23, 2008, 05:36:42 PM
Hi all,

My sister has posted pics of our verical log cabin on her blog, 'case you're interested. It's progressing pretty smoothly, but the curvy popple logs make it a slow process..

http://www.homesteadblogger.com/ahomesteaddaughter
Title: Re: Pics of our vertical log cabin
Post by: Redoverfarm on July 23, 2008, 06:27:22 PM
Working with logs is a slow process unless you get the pre-cut kits which are numbered and pre-cut.  It will have more character in the long run.  Looking good.
Title: Re: Pics of our vertical log cabin
Post by: glenn kangiser on July 23, 2008, 10:51:23 PM
Nice job, Andrew.  The logs are so tight -- are you scribing, coping and fitting them?
Title: Re: Pics of our vertical log cabin
Post by: Ernest T. Bass on July 24, 2008, 12:11:05 AM
Lol! No, I just stick 'em together and run the chainsaw through the joint until they meet. We're using a single 1/4'' thick spline between the logs. The process is very simple, light and low-tec... I think that a team of a few guys with some straight logs could put one of these up very quickly. It really slows things down when you have to piece each log together like a puzzle and spend forever shaping them, though..
Title: Re: Pics of our vertical log cabin
Post by: glenn kangiser on July 24, 2008, 12:13:59 AM
It looks great, Andrew.  Are you expecting much shrinkage?
Title: Re: Pics of our vertical log cabin
Post by: Ernest T. Bass on July 24, 2008, 12:18:20 AM
Well... We cut and peeled them before the spring sap run, and most of them are quite light, but I'm sure we'll still have some. I don't think it'll be any problem though, as long as we won't chink it 'till it's done shrinking..
Title: Re: Pics of our vertical log cabin
Post by: glenn kangiser on July 24, 2008, 12:23:36 AM
Sounds good -
Title: Re: Pics of our vertical log cabin
Post by: Sassy on July 24, 2008, 12:36:58 AM
Nice work - tell you sister she's done a great job on the blog! 
Title: Re: Pics of our vertical log cabin
Post by: NM_Shooter on July 26, 2008, 09:10:33 PM
Wow.. what a great family and lifestyle!

-f-
Title: Re: Pics of our vertical log cabin
Post by: Ernest T. Bass on July 26, 2008, 10:01:20 PM
Thanks.. :)

Yeah, Mary is a much better blogger than my mom was..  ::) Our Home n' Stead (http://home-n-stead.com) blog is hardly ever updated now. So, if you want to know all the dirty little details of our lives, visit my sister's....   ;)
Title: Re: Pics of our vertical log cabin
Post by: NM_Shooter on July 26, 2008, 11:01:36 PM
I may have to buy your movies.  I officially request a spoof of star wars.

-f-
Title: Re: Pics of our vertical log cabin
Post by: Ernest T. Bass on July 26, 2008, 11:35:16 PM
Obi-John Kenobi? ;D We've actually thought of it... There's already too many of them, though, and lightsabers take forever to rotoscope... :) However, I'll admit that choreographing a saber duel has always tempted me.. ;)
Title: Re: Pics of our vertical log cabin
Post by: Ernest T. Bass on September 23, 2008, 10:18:14 PM
Another update:

http://www.homesteadblogger.com/AHomesteadDaughter/111242/

Yes, it's going sloooow... :) I do like the vertical log process, though. Trying to think up a system for faster progress next time.. I hope to get the roof on before the snow flies, but our rafters are round and will require lots of tough joinery. 'Ought to be a fun and educational experience, but we'll see about the fast and safe part of it...  ???
Title: Re: Pics of our vertical log cabin
Post by: MountainDon on September 23, 2008, 10:35:38 PM
 [cool] Andrew. Going great.

I took the liberty of posting some of those pictures here. Hope you don't mind.

(https://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q75/djmillerbucket/et%20bass/cabin8.jpg)

(https://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q75/djmillerbucket/et%20bass/cabin5.jpg)

(https://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q75/djmillerbucket/et%20bass/cabinnotch.jpg)

(https://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q75/djmillerbucket/et%20bass/cabinnotch2.jpg)

(https://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q75/djmillerbucket/et%20bass/cabin4.jpg)

go click on the link for more...   :) :)
Title: Re: Pics of our vertical log cabin
Post by: Ernest T. Bass on September 23, 2008, 10:42:11 PM
Quote from: MountainDon on September 23, 2008, 10:35:38 PM
[cool] Andrew. Going great.

I took the liberty of posting some of those pictures here. Hope you don't mind.

Of course not, thanks!
Title: Re: Pics of our vertical log cabin
Post by: glenn kangiser on September 23, 2008, 11:26:37 PM
Outstanding Job, as usual, Andrew.  I really like the dovetail joints.
Title: Re: Pics of our vertical log cabin
Post by: Ernest T. Bass on September 23, 2008, 11:39:07 PM
Thx. :) They take a while, but it's very rewarding when it turns out right!
Title: Re: Pics of our vertical log cabin
Post by: Redoverfarm on September 24, 2008, 06:06:52 AM
Good job Andrew.
Title: Re: Pics of our vertical log cabin
Post by: apaknad on September 24, 2008, 09:58:41 AM
it's beautiful ernest,

what part of the u.p. you in? i live near jackson and the u.p. is one of the areas i am considering. any thought on land costs and who to contact? living in that area can be harsh in winter but the rewards are great.
dan
Title: Re: Pics of our vertical log cabin
Post by: Homegrown Tomatoes on September 24, 2008, 12:02:13 PM
The cabin is looking great Ernest T., and your sister's blog makes me feel like I already know your whole family. 
Title: Re: Pics of our vertical log cabin
Post by: Ernest T. Bass on September 24, 2008, 01:14:31 PM
Quote from: apaknad on September 24, 2008, 09:58:41 AM
it's beautiful ernest,

what part of the u.p. you in? i live near jackson and the u.p. is one of the areas i am considering. any thought on land costs and who to contact? living in that area can be harsh in winter but the rewards are great.
dan

We're west, a few miles from the lake near Ontonagon. Land goes for about 1-2k/acre. Here's a local realtor:
http://www.domitrovichrealty.com/

Mary does keep a nice blog.. Consistent, and she has a knack for capturing the moment with her writing.. :)
Title: Re: Pics of our vertical log cabin
Post by: ScottA on September 24, 2008, 04:51:56 PM
Very cool. Reminds me of one of those old west forts we tried to build as kids.  :)
Title: Re: Pics of our vertical log cabin
Post by: Sassy on September 25, 2008, 01:19:33 PM
Great job - looks like a lot of work... 
Title: Re: Pics of our vertical log cabin
Post by: Ernest T. Bass on September 25, 2008, 11:08:26 PM
It's time-consuming, but it's pretty light work as far as log cabins go. I find it very peaceful and enjoyable... Not so peaceful when the chainsaw is running, but still enjoyable. :)
Title: Re: Pics of our vertical log cabin
Post by: MountainDon on September 25, 2008, 11:17:39 PM
Now what we need Andrew is a photo essay on the methods used to put up walls, etc.   
Title: Re: Pics of our vertical log cabin
Post by: Ernest T. Bass on September 25, 2008, 11:21:38 PM
It's pretty simple, and I learned most of it here on the forum.. ;D Not sure if we have too many detailed pics of the process... I kinda figured I'd work out the kinks w/ this one, and then document the next. :)
Title: Re: Pics of our vertical log cabin
Post by: MountainDon on September 25, 2008, 11:29:03 PM
 [cool]
Title: Re: Pics of our vertical log cabin
Post by: glenn kangiser on September 26, 2008, 10:01:15 PM
I like the fact that ou are using your natural resources, Andrew.  That's what I was taught in school in the old days. ::)

I always look my site over and see what resources I have to work with then as I become more familiar with it, I find more things I can use.  Rocks are very useful. d*
Title: Re: Pics of our vertical log cabin
Post by: Ernest T. Bass on September 26, 2008, 10:54:12 PM
Yep! Unfortunately, we don't don't have many rocks here.. Smallish popple and red clay abound, (hence our house.. :)). Oh, and tires too... Guess we'll have to make an earthship someday. If only I had a limitless amount of energy... ???

I really do like the vertical log method for the sustainability aspect.. Our cabin could practically be made from the branches that the big log home companies cut off their 3'+ diameter logs. It won't be terribly well insulated, but it's small and will be used mainly in the summer, and would probably make a fine year-round residence in a warmer part of the country.
Title: Re: Pics of our vertical log cabin
Post by: glenn kangiser on September 27, 2008, 12:33:16 AM
Well, I'm glad you posted it here, Andrew as I may have to learn from you.

You can't wear out now, Andrew -- you have a long road ahead. :)
Title: Re: Pics of our vertical log cabin
Post by: Ernest T. Bass on September 27, 2008, 12:17:36 PM
Quote from: glenn kangiser on September 27, 2008, 12:33:16 AM
Well, I'm glad you posted it here, Andrew as I may have to learn from you.

Lol, now THAT is the reverse statement of the year! ;)
Title: Re: Pics of our vertical log cabin
Post by: glenn kangiser on September 27, 2008, 10:56:28 PM
:)  A lot of this I have read about and a lot of it I have done -- some of it, I have invented as needed, but I'm still not so old I can't learn from a young man who knows his stuff because he's been in there doing it.  I haven't built a vertical log cabin.  d*