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- #21
Log Homes
- Thread starter Chop Shop
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splitshot
Head cook, Bottle washer, and Peace keeper.
I will. Im real cheap.
And Ill let ya know how it goes.
I call it the best bang for the buck.
This is what we narrowed it down to, some useful info on this site:American Log Homes, Inc.
Double tongue and groove, air tight, and not a labor intensive construction.
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- #23
I call it the best bang for the buck.
This is what we narrowed it down to, some useful info on this site:American Log Homes, Inc.
Double tongue and groove, air tight, and not a labor intensive construction.
Those are timbers with a curved face tho, not logs. Logs are hand peeled.
I am doing something simular.
Most likely getting my stuff from this guy. He just does it on the side with logs off his property
ToyotaDon
I am here
Another recommendation is avoiding butt joints in the middle of a wall. Using full length logs helps with water intrusion.
splitshot
Head cook, Bottle washer, and Peace keeper.
We have them, but good point, moisture content is important. As a log dries it will shrink, butt joints will get wider, and doors and windows will not open and close the same as when first installed.
Nice looking product, might ask him what the moisture percentage of his logs are..
And we can discuss hand pealed vs kiln dried/milled over a cold one after you get your certificate of occupancy, ok?
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- #28
We have them, but good point, moisture content is important. As a log dries it will shrink, butt joints will get wider, and doors and windows will not open and close the same as when first installed.
Nice looking product, might ask him what the moisture percentage of his logs are..
And we can discuss hand pealed vs kiln dried/milled over a cold one after you get your certificate of occupancy, ok?
My local code inspector said I need 28 percent or less moisture content. The guy with the logs says they have been seasoned for 3 years on racks not touching each other.
I have to have a lumber grader give my logs a go to make the county happy. He told me its real easy and done all the time and if they have been seasoned that long then they should be just fine.
ToyotaDon
I am here
Dead-standing timbers are nice, there's usually a lot of beetle-killed stuff out there, and it's pre-seasoned.
splitshot
Head cook, Bottle washer, and Peace keeper.
Also this is a handy tool after the walls get about chest level..
Couple of arm extentions and lag bolt into the top of the logs.
Couple of arm extentions and lag bolt into the top of the logs.
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- #31
A friend of mine has a bucket truck he rarely uses on jobs anymore. So he will leave it here for me while Im building. Its an old power company truck that he bought for his tree bizz years ago. Its just a backup/spare truck for him. Its not beefy enough for hoisting logs tho, just will make roofing and construction easier.
I have another friend that has an old commercial tire truck. It has a 24 foot flatbed and a self loader arm. He uses it for hulking rigs sometimes. It has a pinch/claw that will grab a car and rip it right out of the brush and can lift it over the cab and sit it on the flatbed.
So between the two rigs I think I have it covered, I hope.
In the group of businesses that I work for, Panabode Western Red Cedar Homes. They have different models of kits. Too Pricey for me.
It looks like things are under control. Cant wait to see the finished product!
It looks like things are under control. Cant wait to see the finished product!
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splitshot
Head cook, Bottle washer, and Peace keeper.
Ever been to the top of one of those?
No can't say that I have, nor that I would ever want to..
Chop, how does he run the wires to the recepts and light switches?
I wasn't too keen on what our manufacturer sugested, so I improvised.
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ToyotaDon
I am here
No can't say that I have, nor that I would ever want to..
In my younger, foolish days I did. I think I still have a picture somewhere, looking down at my grandpa's timberframe house under construction.
What we did/do is probably the cleanest, but hardest method; that of drilling two perpendicular holes and fishing the romex up through the logs. Before the wire is pulled, a rectangular hole is cut (with a chainsaw) for the box, then a grinder is used to make a flat spot for the faceplate. The outlets are usually located in the second course of logs, making them 12-18" from the floor.
The switches are fairly easy, in that they are usually located near a door. The wires can be run in a channel behind the door buck (a framed piece that supports the door while allowing the logs to settle) then drilled over to the switch box.
I keep describing things and wishing I could draw a picture. I'll have to see if I can find some pictures of some of my dad's projects underway.
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- #37
Our bld dept sucks too. I was expecting a bunch of BS but they were very easy on the stuff. I know they are very slow too with the housing downturn and bad economy.
Last time I got permits I had to get there at 6am and wit in a lawn chair in line till 8am when they opened to get on the list. Had to do this 2 times to finally get in before closing time.
The guy said it was real slow and not like that anymore.
They are sticklers here in my county, but it seems like a log home is on a grey area of "unusual construction and materials" and they seem to like them and were very helpfull.
I hope its not a trap.
splitshot
Head cook, Bottle washer, and Peace keeper.
Just hope they don't ask for an engineering stamp on your logs, this happened as a second thought AFTER we got our permit. Huge headache we squeeked through on...
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- #39
Im pretty sure the grader puts his stamp on the lot if they all check out OK. Moisture and other stuff I suppose. I have yet to talk with a grader.
I have contacted DNR and the local Army base (80,000+acres) for log lot buying info also as well as a few local tree service guys.
Went to the library and got a handful of log construction and upkeep books. I got tired of the internet. Everything I search just leads ya to a builder or kit or product to be sold or a dead end.
The good ol library had lots of stuff in old fashioned book form. Way more info than the net provided. Even got a log building and contracting guidelines book on hold for next week.
Need to find an engineer that familiar with log construction and get the skinny on a foundation also.
I missed your location...where are you building? There are several options for foundations, but it is regionally dependant. When I worked in Wyoming, we detailed them differently than I do now in Virginia.
I'm an enginerd...I can give you a few ideas on the details, and depending on your location, might be able to help you even more...
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