LOG CABIN FILES
by bartermn
10/18/99
We set the first logs for the cabin yesterday. Today Gin and
I half-lapped three more and bolted them to the pillars with
sill seal and a termite shield between. There are now three sides
with the sill logs in place. One more afternoon ought to complete
the rectangle.I used what I had yesterday, dull saw blades and drill bits.
Gin bought new ones this morning and they sure make a difference.
I half-lap the logs at the pillars, using a 7 1/4 inch circular saw
and sawsall to make the cuts and a chisel and large rasp to fine
tune them. To fit them over the bolts which stick out of the pillars,
I countersink a hole for the washer and nut, then drill a hole
through for the bolt. My spade, or speed bits barely make it
through the six-inch logs.
11/4/99
Here it is, only 1:40 and I am beat! What kind of idiot with
a bad back thought he could build a log cabin all by himself?
The short runs aren't bad, square an end, cut, turn, cut, turn,
cut, swap the circular saw for the sawsall and cut again. Move to
the other end and repeat the process. Set the depth of the circular
saw for an inch and a quarter and make a dozen kerfs in the end.
Chisel it out. Router the inside edges and set the log in place
after stapling down a layer of sill seal. Fasten it with ten-inch
screws every two feet.The 16 footers are what have got me tired. From the stacks
along the road, dig out an appropriate sized log and swing it
around so it leans against the pile. Lift the high end and walk
toward the middle of the log until it balances on my shoulder when
I lean back. Use the legs! OK, now walk to the saw horses. You
can do it. Think about all the firewood logs you've carried out
of the pasture through four foot snow drifts, this is easy.As the sun set behind the largest window opening in the log
cabin, I rest in my rocker with a cup of coffee, glancing at the
growing house on the other side of the small lawn every few moments.
We'll need to set up the scaffolding soon, maybe tomorrow. The
twenty year dream is finally becoming reality.12/12/99
The Southeast corner of the cabin is up to the headers. It's
been a long Sunday. The weatherman said tomorrow would bring rain,
he didn't tell the world that Keith Bellinger needed the break.
I am so sore I want to just lie down but it's chore time once
again and the cows are bellowing to go inside.
