Log cabins
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From: MA
Log cabins
Got some egg nog in me, and have the Richard Proenneke "Alone in the Wilderness" dvd in (HIGHLY recommended!). Does anyone here have a log cabin? I have always wanted to thrown one up on our property (80+ acres of wooded NE forest). I took the first step felling some 80' pines this afternoon. They will be the floor. Anyone who has any personal experiences, or simply enjoy cabins, feel free to pop in 
Edit: I found this link in some old 'favorite places'.... some great shots of the progress, and where it sits today. Really inspires a fella!
http://www.alaskaantlerworks.com/Alaska_cabin.htm
Edit: I found this link in some old 'favorite places'.... some great shots of the progress, and where it sits today. Really inspires a fella!
http://www.alaskaantlerworks.com/Alaska_cabin.htm
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2008
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From: houston
I dont have a log cabin but my house has cedar siding.I have to clean the wood and treat it w/preservativ every couple of years.THe best stuff that i`ve used so far is Olympic Maximum.I like the way that it looks,all natural and rustic.
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2004
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From: Lafayette, IN
I've done a LOT of work on log cabins--waterborne polyurethane on the inside and mostly Sikkens Cetol on the outside. Be prepared for maintenance, particularly on the exterior. They're worth virtually nothing if they get away from you, and resale doesn't tend to be very good, either, because the market is very limited. Most people nowadays want a turnkey home, not an ongoing project.
But, hey, if that's what trips your trigger, go for it!
Jason
But, hey, if that's what trips your trigger, go for it!
Jason
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From: MA
Well this is a cabin that I am planning for a campsite here on our property... don't have to worry too much about resale . I have always been quite good with my hands, and am naturally drawn to the outdoors... so putting one under my belt is something that I would really like to accomplish.
. I have always been quite good with my hands, and am naturally drawn to the outdoors... so putting one under my belt is something that I would really like to accomplish.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2003
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I have one on a nearby lake (Racoon for Jason) and it is a bit of work. We always had down for my birthday (Dec 31st) and when we can get down there otherwise. As Jason said, the Sikkens is the best for treating the outside of the logs.
It sound like your set on making it out of your own timbers? I would recommend a kit however.
It sound like your set on making it out of your own timbers? I would recommend a kit however.
Post Fiend
Joined: Sep 2005
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From: in the adirondack mts
We have a Hunting camp log cabin built in the '40s by my great uncle. Awesome place in the Adirondack Mts. The pics I had got lost in the flood we had here in '06. I haven't been able to get in since my accident in '04 but I'll get in again 1 day.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2006
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From: Lorain County, Ohio
Since you are cutting your own timber, you might as well find out how log structures were built "way back in the day". Find yourself a copy of The Foxfire Book -Vol1. A large portion was devoted to how log structures were built. Lots of pictures, diagrams, etc. The entire book is a pretty cool read.
There's also a section covering the art of making moonshine.
Foxfire started out as a magazine published by high school students in 1966, and evolved into this:
The Foxfire Fund, Inc.
There's also a section covering the art of making moonshine.
Foxfire started out as a magazine published by high school students in 1966, and evolved into this:
The Foxfire Fund, Inc.
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From: MA
Thanks for the Foxfire link! I bought that Foxfire manual off Amazon earlier today.. should be here in a couple of days. I actually googled around a bit for Foxfire, and came upon this great site:
Our Log Cabin - Foxfire
That is pretty much exactly what I had in mind for a cabin. I can't wait to read the book now, since they also used it as their basis.
Oh, and I have definately thought about the portable sawmill idea... They can be had for like $2k new (and hopefully less used).
Our Log Cabin - Foxfire
That is pretty much exactly what I had in mind for a cabin. I can't wait to read the book now, since they also used it as their basis.
Oh, and I have definately thought about the portable sawmill idea... They can be had for like $2k new (and hopefully less used).
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2006
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From: Lorain County, Ohio
Glad you liked the link! That book is an old favorite, I still have my copy from about 1974. I had to pull it out last night and have a read.. Somewhere here I have the next 3 volumes.
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2004
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From: Lafayette, IN
Probably one of the best things you could do for your cabin before you build it would be to soak the logs in a borax-based solution. They're commercially available in powdered form (they come in a 5 gallon or bigger pail). You mix it with water, then make a dip tank for your logs. You would probably want a couple of dip tanks for efficiency.
Here's what we used on log homes as a pre-treat before finishing, but it's best done before construction (with a dip tank--I remember reading about it on the label):
Sashco, Inc. Log Home Products - Log Home Chinking, Sealants, Stain, Finishes, and Equipment
For longevity on any exterior wood, probably the most important aspect of prep is to apply finish to freshly sanded wood. Exposed bare wood is unsound as a substrate in just a couple weeks.
I'd love to see pics of the process when you get to that point--I love log cabins personally, I just would never recommend them for anyone who doesn't want to do loads of maintenance (or pay for it)!
Jason
Here's what we used on log homes as a pre-treat before finishing, but it's best done before construction (with a dip tank--I remember reading about it on the label):
Sashco, Inc. Log Home Products - Log Home Chinking, Sealants, Stain, Finishes, and Equipment
For longevity on any exterior wood, probably the most important aspect of prep is to apply finish to freshly sanded wood. Exposed bare wood is unsound as a substrate in just a couple weeks.
I'd love to see pics of the process when you get to that point--I love log cabins personally, I just would never recommend them for anyone who doesn't want to do loads of maintenance (or pay for it)!
Jason
Cargo Master
Joined: Aug 2000
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From: SW Michigan
log cabins
Wheel, stay away from the kits....they're way too exspensive. And don't let anyone tell you log construction is more costly or requires lots of maintainance- it doesn't have to be that way. Most of the log cabins most companies build are crap. If the cabin roof is done correctly, there is no maintainance at all. The cabin I used to stay in was more than 30 years old, and had had zero maintanance. It was fine. You might like to see if you can take Ellsworth and White's cabin building class. A cabin built with Ellsworth corners is cheaper and easier than dovetailed or Swedish cope. Some folks call the Ellsworth corner 'butt and pass'. Done right, most likely by yourself, log houses can be great. Done wrong, the way most of the kits are, you can have a disaster. DinosaurFan