DIY and
Remodeling Projects:
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Log Homes
If you really like the log homes you have
seen in magazines and want to start building your own, then this article
is intended to give you information to help you start from scratch. The
first step is to cut your own logs. If you have your own land and want
to clear it, then you won't have a problem finding the logs. If not, you
may have to get a permit to cut logs on government land or obtain
permission from a landowner.
Now it is not just a matter of cutting logs and notching them to fit
them in place and then chinking the gaps with mortar. There are many
specialized tools needed in order to shape and peel the logs. If you use
a scriber, then you can shape the logs to fit each other and this
eliminates the need for chinking, as there will not be any gaps. Since
the logs are heavy, especially as you build up the wall, the use of a
tool called a peavey will really come in handy. This will allow you to
grasp really big logs and lay them in place.
The logs also have to be peeled. There are many ways to do this
depending on the look you want to achieve with your home. The most
commonly used method is through the use of a peeling spud and a
drawknife. With a peeling spud you actually pry the bark off the log,
but you can also use a chainsaw or grinder to saw off the knots. This is
the easiest method so that the logs are ready for the drawknife.
There are a variety of sizes of drawknives available and you may have to
experiment a bit before you find the one that is right for you. There is
no one best fit and just about everyone who does this type of work
prefers a different size because of the weight. When using the
drawknife, you may encounter difficulty in peeling off the bark. Then
you just start peeling in the opposite direction. You can choose to
leave some of the bark in place for a rustic look, but you do have to
make sure that there are no insects inside the bark that will cause you
problems later on.
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