New Pics of my Landscape Timber Log Cabin!

Someone asked what I used to chink...here's the best stuff I've found...pricey, but good...

http://www.loghomecenter.com/index.cfm?ap=12

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"The most beautiful system of the sun, planets and comets, could only proceed from the counsel and dominion of an intelligent and powerful Being." - Sir Isaac Newton
(A REAL scientist)

I can't get the thought of building my own out of my mind..so.......could you provide a couple more details? I would like more information about the foundation and floor. What do you mean when you say that the cabin sits on 32 4X4 treated posts set in concrete. Are these laying down flat on edge lengthwise, or are they buried up/down into the ground? How many inches of cement? Did you frame the perimeter with posts and lay more posts perpendicular to the longest sides...or what?

The walls you say were nailed with 6" spikes, but how did you keep the walls straight and square? Its pretty windy where I live and I'd hate to see a wall start to sag inward or outward. Do you think drilling holes and running rebar up and down the wall from bottome 'log' to top 'log' would provide a more stable structure..or would that not be necessary.
If you could help me with the above questions..I think I might be able to figure out the rest of the construction on my own. Thank you.

I didn't want to get a backhoe or bulldozer to level a spot and dig a footer and pour concrete. I didn't want the expense. What I did was set up batter boards and pull strings until I got square diminsions of 22' X 34'. I then went into this string rectangle and dug an 18-24" post hole at each corner. I measured 8' from the center of a corner hole, and dug another hole, and so on, all the way around the perimeter. Then I went down the center of the rectangle lengthwise, from one short side to the opposite short side, right down the middle, with a row of post holes, again, spaced 8' on center.

I then went to the lumber yard and bought 16-4X4X8' pressure-treated posts, and 30 bags of quick-crete cement. I cut the posts in half and stood the posts upright and square to the string. I used a level to plumb each post as I poured a bag of quick-crete into the post-hole. The next day, my cabin looked like 32 match sticks sticking up out of the ground.

Then, I bought some pressure-treated 2X12's and began on the front side (See Pic) where the land was rising, and screwed the 2X12's to the posts with lag screws, leveling it as I went down the long side. At the corner, I started where the other 2X12 was and went down the short side, again, leveling the 2X12 as I went. I went all the way around in this fashion, making a wooden "Box" around the perimeter posts that was level. I also built a double girder out of 2X10's down that center row of posts, putting a board on each side of the center posts. This divides the Span of the floor joists from 22' to less than 11', making the floor much more solid.

The result is a level platform to lay your joists and subfloor in. The ground falls away toward the pond, so the back of my cabin is actually about 2 feet in the air on that side, but that doesn't matter...the house has to be level, no matter what the ground does. My cabin is 4" off the ground in the front, and 2' or more off the ground in the back.

As far as the nailing goes, these "logs" are not rounded, but flattened on 2 sides. Therefore, they stack well and true. If you want a guide, after you get the subfloor and joists on the platform, make 6 right angles out of 8' 2X4's and nail them to the floor, leaving room for the log to lay to the outside of it. Then, simply stack your logs, making them touch the guide boards and nail them together. My cabin has seen some horrific storms, and the walls have never flexed an inch. Indeed, once they're all nailed together and the trusses are holding them at the top, they really can't move too much...unless a tornado blows the top off.

Anyway, good luck, and use your own imagination...my way sure ain't the only way...and if money is no object, a traditional foundation and block girder would be better. I was building a camp, not a home...

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"The most beautiful system of the sun, planets and comets, could only proceed from the counsel and dominion of an intelligent and powerful Being." - Sir Isaac Newton
(A REAL scientist)

Hey MTMAN,

Haven't seen you in a coons age...

Hope all is going well!

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Boleyz: THANK YOU..VERY VERY MUCH. I THINK I MIGHT BE ABLE TO TAKE IT FROM THERE. I will be taking pictures as I progress. But first..going to zoning on Monday to see what kind of permit I need for such a structure.
I HOPE YOU DON'T VANISH INTO THIN AIR OVER THE NEXT SEVERAL MONTHS..AS I MAY NEED MORE QUESTIONS ANSWERED. BUT AGAIN..THANK YOU!

I should be around here, unless some of the commune-ists on the other thread knock me off...

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"The most beautiful system of the sun, planets and comets, could only proceed from the counsel and dominion of an intelligent and powerful Being." - Sir Isaac Newton
(A REAL scientist)

Nice pics and a great little get away you've built.

are you okay with the lp tank in the buliding? I can't ever get right with that. I set the tank outside and run copper to a heater rated for inside burn.

I can't ever sleep with the tank inside with me, but I might just be a worry wart. I even set the 20 bottle outside of my wall tent on hunting trips.

We always keep a window cracked and there are always places where the chinking ain't perfect, so I don't worry about the tank. The Mr. Heater is all we run with it, and it burns very efficiently and safely.

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"The most beautiful system of the sun, planets and comets, could only proceed from the counsel and dominion of an intelligent and powerful Being." - Sir Isaac Newton
(A REAL scientist)

Thought maybe a newbie or 2 might want a peek...

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"The most beautiful system of the sun, planets and comets, could only proceed from the counsel and dominion of an intelligent and powerful Being." - Sir Isaac Newton
(A REAL scientist)

Just thought I'd mention that I will be building one of Obsers Picnic Tables for this cabin. It was really nice of him to provide the info to anyone who asks. Thanks Obser!

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"The most beautiful system of the sun, planets and comets, could only proceed from the counsel and dominion of an intelligent and powerful Being." - Sir Isaac Newton
(A REAL scientist)

Thought you might be able to give us an update...Good Luck!

__________________
"The most beautiful system of the sun, planets and comets, could only proceed from the counsel and dominion of an intelligent and powerful Being." - Sir Isaac Newton
(A REAL scientist)