My Industrial Cabin Build

[ovrszd]

I had a little argument with with my bride this past weekend because she came out in the field I was working in and was walking up up on my blind side. I didn’t see her until she was about 45 degrees out in front of me. And within reach of the bucket. It
Made my stomach flip a little bit.

You are right to scold her about this.

Both of you should realize you are under extreme stress and might do things that don't seem very logical.

Hopefully it can be patched up with some snuggle time.

Hang in there, the stress level is going to accelerate.

 

[buckeyefarmer]

Do you have a well drilled?
What type of septic system?

 

[kevin37b]

You folks have worked hard and proud ! If you are absolutely set on doing this yourselves , fine . I would think it is time to hire , hopefully , a contractor that can give a quote and work with you ? You are starting the tall stuff after the walls ? If one of you is injured , this project is pointless . Not being negative , and like your determination ! Kevin .

 

[npalen]

I have a question regarding remote cabin builds that I hope doesn't sound stupid. I see where logs are harvested, sawn to dimension and then immediately used in the construction. I'm guessing the logs have usually fallen a few years prior to being sawn but still wonder about wood movement after construction due to drying over time. Is it a non-issue or does one have to be careful regarding log moisture content?

 

[airbiscuit]

It is amazing that our spouses stay with us after a construction project. I was installing some marble slabs around a fireplace (which I had never done before). I was precariously gluing, positioning and balancing (and needing help), when looked over my shoulder to see my wife and daughter (when were watching figure skating) twirling around in circles. I was close to dropping the marble wen I said "when you two are done with the pirouettes, perhaps you can help me hold this."

The marble got installed, I was less crabby, and nobody got hurt. Later, I asked my wife why they were being ballerinas. She said they could tell I was deep in thought and intense, so they thought it best to stay out of harms way. The dancing was just a bonus. Again, it's amazing they stay with us.

 

[oosik]

Log shrinkage on cabin construction. I used large Spruce trees for my cabin in AK. See post #663. They were all put in place within 90 days of being felled. It took many trips and quite a while to get all the logs - 128 - I used to build the cabin.

I had previously spent countless hours reading log cabin build books and brochures. Yes, there was considerable shrinkage and it took twelve months before everything settled down. Over the door and windows I left a 4" gap. After twelve months there was a half inch gap remaining over the door and around an inch gap over the windows. I filled these gaps with open batt fiberglass insulation. Then sealed them all with a flexible caulk on the inside.

On the outside of the cabin I used 1" x 6" rough sawn boards over the windows & door as flashing. It all worked out great.

The only noticeable movement of the logs was the settling. Each layer of logs was pinned to the lower layers. 1" by 3' hole drilled ever four running feet down each log, each layer. Followed by a well greased birch dowel. Each birch dowels was cut to 2 1/2' feet long. Driven into a 3' drilled hole - this allowed for 6" shrinkage and settlement.

 

[npalen]

Thanks for the process description, that's interesting! I watch too many log cabin building reality shows but another thing that interests me is where the logs are pre assembled in an offsite "yard" and then shipped to the build site.

It would seem that wood movement would be an issue especially where complex joinery is involved with huge timbers. They seem to all fit together with precision, however. Maybe we don't see all of the "reality".

 

[WoodChuckDad]

Do you have a well drilled?
What type of septic system?

The well is further up the hill. They went down 230 feet and hit 30 gallons per minute. I was surprised they had to go that deep since we have several springs on the property

Septic system is also already done. It is a two stage system with a tegular cement tank followed by a 600 gallon oxygenator electric fiberglass thing. And then the distro and lines.

 

[WoodChuckDad]

You folks have worked hard and proud ! If you are absolutely set on doing this yourselves , fine . I would think it is time to hire , hopefully , a contractor that can give a quote and work with you ? You are starting the tall stuff after the walls ? If one of you is injured , this project is pointless . Not being negative , and like your determination ! Kevin .

It simply is not in the budget. I will hire a crane and operator to put the joists and roof truss timbers up. And I will try to have at least 3 more people on hand to help out. But I would have to take out a heavy loan to hire a contractor.

 

[WoodChuckDad]

It would seem that wood movement would be an issue especially where complex joinery is involved with huge timbers. They seem to all fit together with precision, however. Maybe we don't see all of the "reality".

I wonder if my panel company hates me for the level of reality I am showing. I think they did a very good job, even if there are some errors. But when you have an image to protect, you want it to look the best possible.