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Building a Log CabinBuilding
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?
If
you have other questions or ideas, feel free to contact me and I will
share what I know or try to help you find the answers you need. I have
many friends who have built different cabin styles and they have been
an invaluable source of information. We can all help each other!

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