- Thread starter
- #41
Im in Pierce County WA. In the foothills of Mt Rainer.
Log Homes
- Thread starter Chop Shop
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Im in Pierce County WA. In the foothills of Mt Rainer.
splitshot
Head cook, Bottle washer, and Peace keeper.
Not sure of the codes in your area, but don't rule out a monolithic pour w/stamped and stained concrete. I have some pics somewhere if you want.
- Thread starter
- #43
Thats sounds nice but also sounds expensive.
This is a budget, do it myself kinda log home. All no frills unless I can scrounge it or craft it myself.
Last edited:
LC_Hamma
The Anti-Leafer
I designed a log home for my mom/ stepdad back in early 2000's. They requested a master down around 2000 sq. ft. Jim Byna Log Homes supplied the structural package. They sent me some of their typical detail sheets so I could preplan my design. I submitted my design & they engineered their product to fit the criteria. You'll need to hire a geotech & structural engineer, as already mentioned. About your design, I'd keep the roof as square as possible. Your foundation can have insets for porches, but square a roof should be your goal. If you vault any room (family), keep it on a low pitch. Stack your walls, if basement or 2nd floor is used. Use log siding in upper gables or dormers. Locate your fireplace central & near kitchen/ eating areas.
- Thread starter
- #46
Ive been collecting tools to make wood products for the last month.
I have gotten a small amount of hand tools of of craigslist (CL) for cheap.
I got a large craftsman shaper table with lots of bits and spacers for $100 off of CL. I already took some old cedar fence boards and played a bit and turned them into tongue and groove boards. I will need allot of T&G for the ceiling and interior/bedroom walls. I made a few base trim boards too. Easy, no problem.
Picked up a very heavy cast iron 14 inch Cframe bandsaw from the 30s with cast iron band wheels that was missing a motor for $25 at a garage sale a couple weeks ago. Got an almost new 1.5 horse motor out of the scrap and built a stand for it. Very stout saw.
I started to gather parts to build a portable bandsaw mill to cut some timbers up and rip slabs of cedar to resaw into T&G boards. I found a nice set of bandwheels on CL for $40 and got a nice 18HP briggs Vtwin also on CL for $200 and it came with a spare parts engine too. Spent about $200 on keyed shafts, pulleys, pillow block bearings and guide bearings at the local bearing house.
Got the saw carriage 80% done and its on 20 foot runners on trailer axles. I plan to make a 16 foot extension and then I can mill 32 foot long timbers. I have 30 inches between the blade guides and can raise/lower the carriage by up to 24 inches. So 30 inch by 32 foot long logs should be the max.
Started to build log yard items to get the hang of chisels and hewing axles.
Almost time to get building a HOME.
I have gotten a small amount of hand tools of of craigslist (CL) for cheap.
I got a large craftsman shaper table with lots of bits and spacers for $100 off of CL. I already took some old cedar fence boards and played a bit and turned them into tongue and groove boards. I will need allot of T&G for the ceiling and interior/bedroom walls. I made a few base trim boards too. Easy, no problem.
Picked up a very heavy cast iron 14 inch Cframe bandsaw from the 30s with cast iron band wheels that was missing a motor for $25 at a garage sale a couple weeks ago. Got an almost new 1.5 horse motor out of the scrap and built a stand for it. Very stout saw.
I started to gather parts to build a portable bandsaw mill to cut some timbers up and rip slabs of cedar to resaw into T&G boards. I found a nice set of bandwheels on CL for $40 and got a nice 18HP briggs Vtwin also on CL for $200 and it came with a spare parts engine too. Spent about $200 on keyed shafts, pulleys, pillow block bearings and guide bearings at the local bearing house.
Got the saw carriage 80% done and its on 20 foot runners on trailer axles. I plan to make a 16 foot extension and then I can mill 32 foot long timbers. I have 30 inches between the blade guides and can raise/lower the carriage by up to 24 inches. So 30 inch by 32 foot long logs should be the max.
Started to build log yard items to get the hang of chisels and hewing axles.
Almost time to get building a HOME.
jim land
SILVER Star
im a log home builder (handcrafted) since 2006
at first i just want to make my home ,so i learn the basic ,take 6 months off work and build it , then i quit my old job as a bus and motorhome painter and now work full time on log home and love it
check on Welcome to the International Log Builders' Association for alots of info
schools ,book and more
one book i recomande you is (log construction manual by Robert w. Chambers)
happy to help you if you need info
at first i just want to make my home ,so i learn the basic ,take 6 months off work and build it , then i quit my old job as a bus and motorhome painter and now work full time on log home and love it
check on Welcome to the International Log Builders' Association for alots of info
schools ,book and more
one book i recomande you is (log construction manual by Robert w. Chambers)
happy to help you if you need info
If your trying to get the style/design locked in https://hearthstonehomes.com/log-home-style-guide <= that tool is the best log homes style guide I've found.
1911
chupacabra
I love the look of log homes, but I'm curious - long term, how do you protect them from termites and carpenter ants? Especially in a humid climate. Treat them every year, or what?
- Joined
- Nov 6, 2006
- Threads
- 65
- Messages
- 1,650
- Location
- Boulder County, Colorado
- Website
- www.adventuretoolcompany.com
Due to the militant building codes (fire resistant treated logs and indoor sprinkler systems for any home built in the mountains) in Boulder County and recent forest fires, its next to impossible (or crazy expensive) to build a loghome now.
Coming from the Midwest and living in stick/frame built homes my entire life I have found a log home to be incredibly lovely to live in and with. Best of luck as you move forward with your build!
DanS HJ-45
SILVER Star
I’m in the process of building mine.
Lots left to do....
Obviously a crap-ton of chinking coming my way, but this is pretty simple to build. Every day since May that I haven’t been at work I’ve been working on this.
The rafters are 6x12s that I milled, and most of the Tongue and Groove is 2x6 TnG that I cut, milled and planed. I broke the planer, and to get it under a roof deck before it really starts snowing I had to buy some TnG. I like mine better. It’s much prettier!
On top of the TnG goes a SIP roof.
...this is why my 60 build has been so quiet. Shhhh....
Dan
Lots left to do....
Obviously a crap-ton of chinking coming my way, but this is pretty simple to build. Every day since May that I haven’t been at work I’ve been working on this.
The rafters are 6x12s that I milled, and most of the Tongue and Groove is 2x6 TnG that I cut, milled and planed. I broke the planer, and to get it under a roof deck before it really starts snowing I had to buy some TnG. I like mine better. It’s much prettier!
On top of the TnG goes a SIP roof.
...this is why my 60 build has been so quiet. Shhhh....
Dan