Log Cabin Wood Shop - Walls Begin

As of today, we have 4 of 18 log courses done. It seems slow, but the cool thing about log buildings is that once the walls are up, you're done ... no siding, no insulation, no interior work.

Before I started the first course, I installed some really straight 2x4's in each corner and in a few other spots, and made them perfectly plumb, so as we put up the logs, (hopefully) we keep the walls plumb, straight and level. We'll see.

Before a new course is put down, I lay down some 1/2" thick foam tape and a bead of caulk along the length of the top of the previous log.

We carefully place the new log on top. The logs are then screwed down using 9" "Olylog" screws every 30" along the log, which I drive in and counter sink with a hole hawg drill motor.

Once the logs are screwed down solid, the corners are pegged using 1" round x 5" long dowels embedded in caulk. This creates a spline of sorts in each corner and in butt joints to keep the logs from twisting. It also seals the corners where one log butts up to another, so water, air and bugs won't come inside... as much. In a traditional round log home, you typically have interlocking notched corners, so you don't have these butt joints to seal.



We also cut down a dead standing tamarack tree and dragged the lower 30' to the shop. 26' of that log will be used as the porch roof header/beam supported with (4) log posts. Deb is going to debark it beginning this weekend.

Log Cabin Wood Shop - Foundation Complete

Today we finished the foundation frame for the shop. It was pretty dusty work, wallowing around in the trenches setting posts and putting in bracing, but it's done. I'm calling this design the "integrated post and beam" foundation because it takes advantage of the 6x6 cross beams (D logs) to help strengthen the overall base.

We (i.e., Debbie) still have some grading work to do around the perimeter, which should get done tomorrow. We also need to cut down a couple of standing dead tamarack (larch) trees to use for the porch posts and header. Tamarack trees tend to be long and straight with less taper than fir or pine. Deb said that she'd debark them, while I start work on the walls.

Tomorrow I need to peg the corners and joints for the first layer already done and built some plumb guides to I keep the walls plumb as they get higher. (more on this later)

This is a draft of what the shop layout will look like. Is 16x24 big enough? Heck no, but it's bigger than my last shop.

Log Cabin Wood Shop - Foundation

The foundation for the wood shop is about 1/2 done, after 3 days work. (We took the last two days off and visited Spokane and played some golf in Chewelah).

We have 13 of the 29 posts set, creating the basic 16' x 24' frame of the base.These posts are 6x6 treated with a "retention level" of .60 pcf. This refers to the amount of preservative that remains in the wood after the treatment process is complete. It is measured on a weight basis and is typically expressed as pounds of preservative per cubic foot (pcf) of wood. The frame is now squared and level, so the remaining 16 posts are relatively easy to install. Even though this is dusty ditch work, it is fun and rewarding to see things come together.

The base foundation structure is built like a wooden roller coaster - with everything tied together and braced at all angles for shear strength. The first layer of logs are part of the frame structure - anchored to the posts and braced. Since the posts are set 36" deep, once back filled, the earth will provide even more shear strength.

I expect that we'll be finished with the frame in a few more days and then we can back fill them. then the real fun begins - setting up the log walls. Here are the 16' D logs stacked are ready for set up.

The Log Cabin Wood Shop - Genesis

Debbie and I have embarked upon another project which is a Log Cabin Wood Shop. It will be 24' x 16' with a 5' deep porch along the long side (similar to the look of the cabin). The roof will have a 6/12 pitch on the main part and 3/12 on the porch. It will have two windows and one 4' wide front door that I plan to make, and I'll install a small wood stove inside.

I had already purchased 130 6x6x16' 'D" logs from a local supplier at a bargain price and today we dug out the foundation ditches with a rented excavator. I also have the 9" log screws and sealing tape to got between the log courses.

The logs will be stacked in the "butt and pass" method.The foundation will be built using 6x6 treated posts every 4 feet on piers set about 3' deep. The log walls will sit on the top of the 6x6 posts. the foundation walls will be skirted with 2x6 and 2x8 treated wood.

Once done I'll be able to move all of my wood working power and hand tools, as well as benches inside so I can

start turning bowls and doing other projects again. I am looking forward to having a shop again so I can work in a heated space. We should be able to get it "framed in" with at least tar paper on the roof before winter really sets in. After all, we still need to play golf and have fun too!