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Building a Log Cabin
Building a log cabin is one of the greatest adventures I have been on. It all began when I saw several old log cabins down in West Virginia. I was fascinated with the axe marks and the grey chinking between the logs. I always liked old barns with hand hewn beams so seeing these same style logs in cabin walls was incredible.Upon further study I noticed how the doors, windows and jambs were also hand made. My artistic side was stirring. I wanted to build my own. I now understand that building a log cabin does not take a great amount of previous experience or talent. It takes a lot of persistence and good resources.
When
I say resources, I am referring to a book like Charles
McRaven’s
The Classic Hewn-Log House and a web site like this with details of
real working knowledge.You will find that building a log cabin is very simple. Most of the work is cutting, peeling and shaping your logs. As you begin to work out your cabin here are some questions to consider:
- What kind of wood will you use? This is very important since some wood types are very poor choices.
- How many logs do you need?
- Where can you get the logs and how will you move them?
- Will you hew your logs with an axe and adze or have them sawn on a sawmill or or chainsaw mill? I started with a broad axe but after hewing four 22 ft logs I realized I did not have the time or the back for it! The cutting position for the broad axe irritated a previous back injury. I finished with a chainsaw mill. This did not get me the axe marks but overall, I am happy with my cabin. I now have a greater respect for those marks and the men or woman who made them.
- What size, shape and style of log cabin do you want
to build?
- Will you design it yourself, copy someone's project or use professionally drawn plans?
- Which type of corner notch do you like and have the time and skill to make?
- Where will you build your cabin?
- What needs to be done to your site to prep for construction?
- What kind of foundation do you need and like?
- How will you get the logs (especially the top levels) up?
- What kind of roof is the best option for the project?
- Will you build your own doors or buy them premade?
- Where can you find windows that will look right and function well?
- Will your cabin have a porch?
- How and when
will you do the chinking?
- What will the interior of your cabin be like?
- Will you use wood heat from a stove or fireplace or will you have a furnace/heater of some kind?
- How can you get the help you might need to accomplish this project?
What do you want to know
about building a log cabin?
Submit your question for Banjoe and other visitors to comment on.
Answers from Banjoe
Click below to see previously asked questions...
Log Cabin Corner Notches
I am torn between standard log cabin corner notches and the butt and pass method. What are the advantages of the b-n-p method?
Banjoe answers:
I can'...
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Banjoe,
Hello! Great work on your cabin. I myself have wielded a broadaxe on more than one occasion and, like yourself,...
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