Building the Traditional Hewn-Log Home

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Many of the common hand tools required for building with logs are available at any good hardware store. But some of the more specialized log-working implements—such as broadax, froe, peavey, and slick—can be hard to find. Begin your search at flea markets, garage sales, junk (sometimes called antique) shops, your grandfather's toolshed, and any other likely repositories of vintage woodworking paraphernalia. If your search doesn't net everything (or anything) you need, try one or more of the mail-order suppliers listed below.

Timeless Tools (P.O. Box 41, Marquette, MI 49855) offers a complete line of timbering and log-building implements. The company specializes in rounding up and reconditioning older (often antique) tools, but also handles a respected contemporary line. The catalog is $2.00, refundable with your first order.

The Blairhampton Alternative (Box 748, Haliburton, Ontario, Canada KOM ISO) is another reliable mail-order supplier of logworking tools (especially handy if you happen to live in Canada). Its catalog costs $5.00, which also gets you a special edition of Log House magazine, which the Blairhampton folks helped conspire to produce.

The Cumberland General Store in East Tennessee offers adzes, broadaxes, drawknives, and (roes, peeling spuds, peavies, cant hooks, and tongs . . . and just about any other tool you could need. They charge $3.75 for their 256—page catalog, which you can obtain by writing to the Cumberland General Store, Rt. 3, Crossville, TN 38555.

Woodcraft (41 Atlantic Ave., P.O. Box 4000, Woburn, MA 01888) offers a full line of timbering tools and will send you its catalog for $3.00 (refundable with a coupon that comes with the wishbook).

Peter Gott Log-Building Workshops

Peter Gott will be leading a week-long log-building program at the Augusta Heritage Arts Workshop (Davis & Elkins College, Elkins, WV 26241) from July 14 to 19. If you hurry, there may still be a few openings. The number to call is 304/636-1903, extension 209.

The Log Home Guide Information Center will be sponsoring an unusually long Gott workshop the last two weeks of August. Write them at Exit 447, I-40, Hartford, TN 37753, or call toll-free 800/345-5647.

Hidden Hollow Farm (Rt. 4, Box 97, Chickamauga, Georgia) will host a week-long Gott log-building workshop from October 13 to 20. For information, write to Tommy Thomas at the above address, or call either 404/539-2372 or 615/886-3427.

The Nantahala Outdoor Center (U.S. Hwy. 19, Box 41, Bryson City, NC 28713) is a group of friendly, knowledgeable folks who offer guidance and training in a variety of outdoor sports activities. They also sponsor hewn-log building workshops led by Peter Gott (many of the photos in this article were taken at their '84 workshop). To make the cut for their upcoming November 9-16 workshop, write NOC as soon as possible (or phone them at 704/488-2175).

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