The Log house Project begins........

[tnmike]

Your house is really coming along. Its cooling down and getting easier to work that is for sure.

 

[MotorSeven]

Thanks FB.

Oh and that big "empty" wall space to the right of the front door??? It is calling me to do some chainsaw sculpturing....I am seeing a large tree carved there overhanging the front door......

 

[GGB]

M7, I finally had time tonight to follow your build. It's a pleasure to watch the progress, and to sense your pride in the craftsmanship.

It also makes me wish I'd been in a position to help my Dad when he was having his log cabin built. It had been a dream of his for a long time-at least 35 or 40 years ago I remember him wanting to do it. Unfortunately, he didn't take many pictures, so seeing your new home go up is really fun to follow.

Do you plan to put up a "tree topper" (I'm trying to remember exactly what the cedar or pine tree is called) that is traditionly put up with the last rafter or truss? I always think that is a neat tradition.

Best of luck!

GGB

 

[EddieWalker]

Eddie can a ground be a 16 ga? I am using 14 ga for the lights & already have several different colors. I also picked up 3 Lew brass covered flip cap floor outlets off fleabay for a great price(yes still pricey but these normally run about $80 each).
eBay - New & used electronics, cars, apparel, collectibles, sporting goods & more at low prices

I think if I run down 3-4 more that's all I will need for the living room & master bedroom which are the only two rooms that need them. I can use the screw down caps in the bedroom since they will usually have stuff plugged in all the time.

It's times like this that I have to admit to not being a expert. From what I've been told, and seen done, you can go one size smaller on your ground wire. I don't know why 16 gauge scares me, but I'm hesitant to say yes to your question. The smart thing to do would be to make sure of this before actually doing it.

Eddie

 

[MotorSeven]

GGB I've been going full on and had completely forgot about the good luck tree....great idea..thanks! Here is one quote of the good luck tree's origin:

"The precise origin of the topping off ceremony, also known as a topping out ceremony, is a matter of historical debate. Some sources trace it back more than 1,000 years to Scandinavian traditions of placing a tree branch on the top wooden beam of a structure to please the Norse gods who protected the forests. Others look to Native Americans, many of whom worked on the early skyscrapers built in the United States, who placed a tree on the highest point of the building to honor the traditional belief that no man-made structure should ever reach higher than the highest tree."

Mine will be a small cedar(of course) cut from the site.

Ok, thanks Eddie, I'll check on the ground wire size. My electrician buddy is taking a new job in AZ, so I doubt I Will be able to get him here to wire my place. My neighbor's SIL is a licensed electrician & I have already talked to him about doing the job. He has a really good rep here, so I am confident he will get it done with no worries.

 

[Iplayfarmer]

...Do you plan to put up a "tree topper" (I'm trying to remember exactly what the cedar or pine tree is called) that is traditionly put up with the last rafter or truss? I always think that is a neat tradition.

Best of luck!

GGB

You'll have to forgive me. I've never heard of this tradition. What does it involve? Where does this tree go that you put up with the last rafter?

 

[bindian]

You'll have to forgive me. I've never heard of this tradition. What does it involve? Where does this tree go that you put up with the last rafter?

Iplayfarmer,
Ya ever seen a tree on top of a building just framed in steel? When construction reaches it's highest level, a tree is "topped" on it to show framing is complete. Or something like that. You put the tree at the highest point where it can be seen the best from the ground.
hugs, Brandi

 

[MotorSeven]

I am very fortunate to have a couple of neighbors that want to help...so we got the Tie poles up today. I used the Kioti and we went slow and easy. Had to re-position the tractor a dozen times per pole setting them on one wall then the scaffolding & pushing it across the floor to the other side.

The Tie poles are Tulip Poplar(30' long) and I wish I had cut them 6 months ago because the sap is down and peeling them now is not easy. So I will put them up with the bark on and within a few months it should start to fall off as the wood dries out.

The middle of the wall was about an inch & a half out(bowed) so I put a strap/chain & come-a-long from doorway to doorway and pulled them together before screwing down the Tie Pole.

 

[MotorSeven]

Cutting these was not easy having to draw lines on bark.....

 

[MotorSeven]