How do I build a log cabin?

[JPGreco]

Hunter, one of his earlier pictures shows just that. Picture #3 in post 24 you can see the roof that is under the gable. In a lot of the other pictures you can see that it is all used for storage. Pretty amazing stuff and awesome pictures.

[volnomuvolya]

the main roof is horizontal - so the heat is better preserved, because the warm air goes up.
f_18856610.jpgx_665d97a6.jpgx_d280e840.jpgx_d833ae68.jpgx_fc3e0070.jpg

[Aℓкℓιηєѕ]

Wow these pictures of the cabins are amazing! How long did it take to build this one?

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[randyt]

here's some photos of chinking a log wall.


here's the log wall prepped for chinking. The cracks are stuffed with fiberglass and then strips of plasterers mesh is nailed in place with roofing nails.
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here's the mortar ready to be mixed together dry. The formula is two parts sifted sand, one part portland cement and 1/2 part lime. I use four coffee cans sand, two coffee cans portland cement and one can lime. I mix it all together dry and then add water to make a sticky paste. This makes about the perfect batch, any more and it starts to set before I'm finished mudding.
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here is a photo of a board and trowel that I use. The board has a handle on the bottom. The trowel is a six inch trowel that I cut down to a 1 1/2 inch wide.To use I hold the board up against the wall and trowel the mud into the screen. Extra mud generally fall back onto the board
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Here's the wall with finished chinking. I'll let it dry and then smooth off any drips and whatnot with my fingers. A little more cleanup can be done with a damp cloth.

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IMPORTANT ADDITION
I had to correct the formula. In the first formula I wrote three parts sand, I meant to write two parts sand.

[crashdive123]

Nice job RT - easy to understand explanation coupled with detailed pictures - nice.

[randyt]

Thanks for the comments Crash.

[ncguy]

Would Virginia pine make a good cabin log?

[randyt]

I built a cabin from southern yellow pine 25 plus years ago. A few years ago I checked it out and it was holding up good. It is built on piers and has a generous roof overhang. I've seen cabins built from just about every tree.

[ncguy]

Good to know, I have been rolling around the idea of a small one room cabin (kinda the size of post 43) built at our pond.

[dolfan]

Is it hard to get permits?

[randyt]

I don't know about permits. The one I built years ago was in a area that didn't require permits at the time. The cabin I built recently fell under a agriculture exemption.

[randyt]

here's a link to cabin building article along with a you tube video. The fella running the class is from the tv series The mountain men.

http://alaskatrappers.org/cabin_building_workshop.html

[hunter63]

Good stuff, thanks.....

[crashdive123]

It would be cool to take one of his workshops. Good stuff.

[Dennis]

Awesome thread thanks to everyone.

[Oddmott]

I've started falling and stripping balsam logs for a cabin of my own. So far have eight 32ft+ logs down and curing. Got my eyes on another 30+, but they're too heavy for my friends horse to skid, and too deep in nasty bush to get at easily with the tractor. Looks like i'll have my work cut out for me. lol

A question I have is, have any of you ever seen a log cabin/house with a stackwall/cordwood 2nd story? I have it in my mind to try constructing something along those lines, but have never seen it done.

Suggestions/warnings as to the feasibility of such a project?

[crashdive123]

Here's one member that has done it. She doesn't get on-line to much, so questions may go unanswered from her for a spell. http://www.wilderness-survival.net/f...=built%20cabin

[randyt]

just a opinion only. Building cordwood on top of a log wall seems like a bad idea. The reason being is that even dry logs settle so that would effect the cordwood stability. Many of the log cabins I've worked on had big all thread rods at the base of pillars and such. Once in awhile those were adjusted to compensate for settling.

[hunter63]

I would think stack-wood is best on small shed type buildings....and I have to believe chinking would be a nightmare given the settling, shrinkage, etc.

This was posted on the tread that Crash put up....but still applies....
http://www.motherearthnews.com/Green...#axzz2Q5DQl5TV

[Oddmott]

Thanks for the thoughts all.

The settling was something I was worried about as well, but wasn't sure just how much of an impact it would/could have.

Do you think that if the 2nd floor was timber framed, with stackwall inserts it would be as much of a concern?