An Introduction to Log Construction

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And how long did it take us to build it? Well, we had two, sometimes three, guys working on the structure. It took us about two weeks to cut and move the logs . . . about six weeks to peel, notch, and put 'em up . . . and another week to chink it. All told, we spent about ten weeks building the basic log structure itself, getting five to eight logs up and on per day. I'd say one person working alone would need ten to twelve months to put up the same size house, from foundation to finishing work.

Of course, a builder might make the job easier by finding an abandoned log house or barn, tearing it down piece by piece, moving it, and putting it back together. If you can get a structure like that—in basically good shape—for around $1,000, I'd say take it. Then you could replace the roof and do other repairs for a few thousand dollars and have yourself a home.

As for books I'd recommend . . . well, you can learn something from almost any of them, but the best by far is B. Allan Mackie's Building With Logs. It does cover the full-scribe-not the chinking-method of building . . . but if you can understand how to put up a structure the fullscribe way, you'll find the chinking method a breeze.

EDITOR'S NOTE: You can buy equipment for the full-scribe method of log construction from Heather Power Tools, Dept. TMEN, 807 Fort Avenue, Prince George, British Columbia, Canada V2L. 3H5. The scribe alone costs $55, and the bubbles alone are $49 . . . or you can purchase both for $102. (Please add $2.00 shipping and handling per order.) The firm's catalog is free.

You can also obtain B. Allan Mackie's Building With Logs for $12 (plus $2.00 for shipping and handling) from the same address.

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