The notches are all cut to a depth of about one-quarter of the diameter of the log, and as the logs are notched on both the upper and the lower sides, it will be evident that there will be no gaps between the logs on the side, except such as are due to irregularity of shape. After these side logs are in place they are notched at the ends to receive the next pair of front and back logs, and so the work progresses until the walls are carried up to their full height. The side logs should be rolled to such a position that another half turn would drop them into the notches in the logs below, but before giving them this final half turn they should be notched on the upper side, so that when they drop into position these notches will fit over the notches of the lower logs. Then a pair of logs should be rolled across them for the beginning of the side walls. Notches should be cut in each log about a foot from each end. They should be flattened along the bottom, so that they will rest squarely on the foundation. However, if, despite these objections, it is desired to keep the logs in their natural clothing of bark, it will be found preferable to build a cabin in the latter months of the summer, for then the bark will adhere better to the wood.įirst choose two of the largest logs and lay them at the front and the rear of the cabin. The chief objection to leaving the bark on the logs is that it offers a home for all breeds of ants and wood-boring insects. The bare logs are soon weathered to a soft gray tint which is not unpleasing to the eye, and which blends with the coloring of the surrounding forest. This can be readily done in the early summer months, and the bark can be flattened out and used later for roofing purposes. ![]() It will make the log house more durable, though it would rob it of much of its charm to peel the bark from the logs. An expert axman will probably construct it in a couple of days, and even a novice could do it in a short time, the only tools project beyond the corners of the cabin, and for this at least one foot should be allowed at each end of the building. The building of a log cabin is a very simple task. Here's the relevant excerpt from the text the complete article, accessible via the link, is longer, because it covers a variety of more primitive forest camping structures too. The article is also nicely illustrated with photos like this one: ![]() I was struck by the labor-intensive suggestion to hollow out half logs and overlap them for use as roofing tiles, and also by the instructions for building an open fireplace and chimney entirely out of timber and mud/clay where stone is not available. ![]() The advice all seems basically sound (if you can find the logs) and I've never seen it laid out so simply for such a primitive cabin. If there’s a more down-to-earth, directly applicable cabin tutorial, we haven’t seen it.I stumbled upon these cabin building instructions on page 113 of the July 1905 issue of American Homes And Gardens ( link ). True to lumberjack form, he lives in a canvas tent while putting the building together. Along the way, he often explains secondary reasons for why he does specific tasks in certain ways. He uses a standard speed square and a 25-foot tape measure he hand-drives his nails. If you can use hand tools, you can follow Whipple’s building methods. But the video’s best strength may be its everyman appeal. Whipple has a sensible manner, a clear understanding of his craft, and a stream of consciousness that gives his performance context without rambling. ![]() A strong-but-sensitive lumberjack skillfully builds a cozy winter cabin in the woods - and delivers a foundational ode to nature in the process.ĭave Whipple’s needs during the winter are “a nice place to sleep, a nice place to hang out and read a book, a wood stove to cook on, and plenty of big windows so you can keep an eye on what’s going outside and just enjoy natural beauty.”Ī peaceful guitar-picking soundtrack accompanies Whipple as he calmly guides the viewer through every step of building an off-grid cabin in the woods.
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