Friday, June 10, 2011

Still peeling logs

Haven't posted much the last couple of weeks, but not a great deal of progress either, still just peeling logs. Its been extremely hot for this time of year here so far is one reason, I think its set a few records for this date for the temps.
Hopefully by this time the following weekend I will have the last of my first batch of trees that I had cut down down finally peeled, that will be 12 peeled. Some of them I know wont work for wall logs already as they are either on the small side of small and too crooked but this was some what of an experiment as to what size log circumference wise measured  while standing with the bark on would yield at the tip after being peeled at the 30ft mark. If some of you read the earlier post, I had marked several trees before going to the class and doing enough reading and after all that realized some of the trees I had marked would not yield a large enough diameter at the tip for my walls. So what I wanted to do with this 1st batch of cut trees was to see about how small of a diameter at the base I could get down to that would yield about 10" of diameter at the tip after being peeled. Initially I had thought that anything less than about 48" circumference would be too small, but after cutting and peeling them I was pleasantly surprised to find that on average I can now use ones at 40" and above to get my desired 10" at the tip. In the end, that will make it so that I can get the vast majority of the trees off my property and should only have to buy a few. I was originally really worried that I was going to have to buy the largest majority of them, but now I wont have to.

I have also found out that what ever those little bugs are that eat the bark after being cut are a really big help in peeling. Some of the trees that I peeled after only being cut for a week or so were really tough, but as time has gone and those bugs are not eating away at loosening the bark any of them they have a good hold on the bark just comes off in chunks. Natures way of giving me a little help I suppose, although it is a little disconcerting actually hearing these little buggers eating away at what will be my house. Yes, if you listen closely and its quiet out, you can hear them crunching away. So far it doesnt look like they harm the actual wood itself any, just like the bark. wonderful little creatures if you ask me.

I did get some good news this week as I received my building permit and there is no expiration date for it due to NC deciding with the state of the economy they would put a moratorium on the expiration of any building permits. With the building permit in hand, I was also able at the same time to apply for my new address, which I did. So now I have a brand new address and I can stick a mailbox up there and even start receiving mail if I chose. It makes it seem that much more like home even though there isnt anything there right now but a stack of logs.
I also learned a very good piece of info from Blane the other day about windows. He told me that in the state of NC they require the R value of your windows to still have the sticker stuck on the glass when its inspected. So for those of you building here, beware of buying used ones that might not have the sticker on them and therefore make them unusable


Graham moving a log with the peevy

It was 96 today. HOT HOT HOT!!!

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Peeling some racked logs..finally

Well finally have all of the logs (14) I had cut a few weeks back skidded into the field, laid on top of a couple of sacrificial logs as racks and starting to peel them. I just wanted to cut a little portion of the trees I had marked for cutting down at this time to give me a better idea of what routine works best me getting them skidded out of the woods and stacked on the racks. Turns out that so far, the old 58 JD 1010 tractor is the best answer. Still starts like new even without choking it after sitting for even a day or two.

Had some help on my 1st day peeling. A good friend of mine 16 y/o kid wanted to make a little extra money for a wresting camp this summer and build some stamina, now what more a perfect prospect is that to have give me a hand and best of he worked out just great. Hope I can get him back when I get some more time to peel.

Me working hard,at least for the pic

Me again, it was pretty hot today

Ok, just me again

Nice big log still in the woods

Some skidded logs on racks and one very crooked one

My Great helper, Graham

Graham and the Jeep, 3 peeled logs. Progess!!

Trouble log, took about 3 hours to skid 300ft

Not sure about this crooked one

whoops, one of the family slipped in on Moms Day

Monday, January 3, 2011

Gathering materials

Started to gather a few things up now that the cabin will eventually need. Looking mostly on Craigslist right now and some pretty incredible stuff on there either free or pretty cheap. Found 3 windows, double paned 2 were 19.5 x45 and one was a casement at 19.5 x33 used but less than a yard old all for $100 so that was a pretty good deal I think. Also found a china buffet that needed refinishing, but solid wood, maybe 50 years old and 5 solid pine swiveling bar stools. All those were free and the bar stools were in fine shape, so probably will just refresh the finish up on those and nothing more.

Looking now for a small storage building to sit on the property so I can store all these free and cheap items Im finding. All in all its a pretty good start on items, but really need to find a deal on some metal roofing and 2X lumber now.

The time for the school is rapidly approaching and I cant wait. I hope to start getting some logs cut and peeled almost as soon as I get back

Saturday, January 1, 2011

Windows

Going to look at some used windows for the cabin today. used ones, but a good price and insulated double pane, learning a lot of windows now. never knew there were so many codes to deal on windows as far as what sizes can be in bedrooms to allow for firefighters to be able to get in through if needed and where you need tempered ones. Like so much of this whole process will be going forward it will be one major learning experience

Friday, December 31, 2010

More tree sizes

Its New years eve and I've got nothing better to do than mark trees, well could be worse I guess, could have no trees at all. Its quite beautiful here today after having snow on the ground for almost a week, which is very unusual for here. I saw my 1st white Christmas this year too which was pretty amazing. It started snowing Christmas late evening and continued well into the next day and we had between 5 and 6 inches by the time it was all over with.
So I've partially made a model of the cabin I plan to build now out of 1/2" wooden dowels. Its pretty accurate what Ive gotten done so far, but am stuck on the roof layout right now. I have no idea how to build a simple gable roof but hopefully by the time I get back from the school in Feb I will have a much better idea how t complete it.
This is going to be the biggest undertaking I have ever done up to this point in my life I think, but the more I fond out the more energetic I am to get started. The school will be my deciding factor if Im going to continue with it or give up the dream of it. So anyway, here are the log sizes of what I marked today.
(27) 47
(28) 45
(29) 35
(30) 42
(31) 40
(32) 36
(33) 36
(34) 40
(35) 42
(36) 41.5
(37) 47
(38) 47
Found my RPSL and its a beautiful pine tree measuring a whopping 76"...wow!!

Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Tree Sizes

Tree sizes

So the tree sizes I have marked so far are as follows. I have given each tree a number and marked that number on the tree so I can know what sizes exactly I am dealing with as the time comes closer to cutting them down and try and keep as close to the same size for each log as I can as it makes it easier to build that way.
The measurement given is in inches (circumference) and for those you are not familiar with Pi as I had pretty much forgotten what it can be used for, to come up with the diameter of the log its circumference divined by Pi. I am looking to have at least a 10 inch diameter log on the small end for each

Log::
(1) 40           (8) 31.5     (15) 31     (22) 36
(2) 38.5        (9) 36       (16) 32      (23)34.5
(3) 36          (10) 34       (17)  38     (24) 35
(4) 39.5       (11) 34       (18) 34     (25) 37
(5)  40         (12) 39       (19) 35     (26) 35
(6) 31          (13 48        (20) 38
.(7) 44        (14) 36        (21) 34