The Forestry Forum

General Forestry => Timber Framing/Log construction => Topic started by: Satamax on November 13, 2011, 05:23:38 PM

Title: Log framing, not log homes! Question.
Post by: Satamax on November 13, 2011, 05:23:38 PM
Hi everybody.

Well, i'm not too keen on log homes, as round wood piled up. Hand hewn to me looks better.

But for the sake of pleasing customers, i'd like to learn something new.

I'd like to learn how to make roves, king post, hammer beam, stub tie beam, queen post, timber framing and the rest out of logs, kept round.

Is there a book about log timber framing?

I know i've got to work from chalk centerlines. An aquaintance, log home builder, told me he uses lasers too. I know part of the old style, drawing the frame to be made on the ground stacking the pieces of wood on top with bearers, so they are all in the same plane, even if not flat. Then they report lines from the ground drawing onto the  wood with a special plumb bob, which is pointy. And from the points given by the plumb bob, they trace with a chalk line.

But after all this, i wonder, i know they used to make reference faces, joint planes, and all this. I know i could work some ways, done some in the past. I can do dual line squaring, or even four lines. But i'd like to know how they were doing it in the very old times, before hand hewing started.

Thanks a lot guys.

Title: Re: Log framing, not log homes! Question.
Post by: jdtuttle on November 14, 2011, 06:39:34 AM
A Timber Framer's Workshop, By Steve Chappell is a good start.
jim
Title: Re: Log framing, not log homes! Question.
Post by: jander3 on November 14, 2011, 08:49:04 AM
Piece en piece log cabin construction works well with posts beams and such.  

B. Allan Mackie has some books that should give you a general feel for scribing, cutting lateral grooves...general log cabin building

http://www.amazon.com/mn/search/?ref%5F=nb%5Fsb%5Fnoss&url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=B.%20Allan%20Mackie&x=13&y=18&rd=1

I suggest "Building with Logs" and the "Owner-Built Log House".


If you are framing with round logs, you snap 4 lines on the log and work from the lines.  However, to get a fit that looks good, you will have to learn to scribe.  



(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/17998/2073/DSC00360.JPG)

You can still see the ink lines on this king post.  I worked everything from the lines, that way the post was plumb and true when installed.

Title: Re: Log framing, not log homes! Question.
Post by: bigshow on November 14, 2011, 10:34:54 AM
I built a log truss once.  I measured each log to get an average of each of their dimensions.  I then built a big plywood deck that was strong and level.  Drew the truss on the plywood, then i put the logs up on blocks, I had snapped lines on the logs to help me visualize a square member in each - I made sure the lines i snapped were level with the deck.

then using plumb bob and calipers with a level on them, i transferred the drawings on the deck to the logs.  i have no idea if this is how logs are supposed to be scribed.  just seemed like it would work, and it pretty much did.
Title: Re: Log framing, not log homes! Question.
Post by: Satamax on November 14, 2011, 11:46:55 PM
Thanks a lot guys.

Title: Re: Log framing, not log homes! Question.
Post by: frwinks on November 15, 2011, 10:32:11 AM
I see a lot of log trusses that are reduced/squared up at the joint locations to make the joinery simpler.  Not many that are fully scribed.  Jander, do you have a pic of the completed truss, did you square up the end the beam or fully scribed?   
Title: Re: Log framing, not log homes! Question.
Post by: jander3 on November 15, 2011, 03:35:51 PM
To simplify a truss, it is easier to flatten the areas where you make the joints.   Also, cutting the king post flat on two sides makes framing in the gables a little quicker. 



(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/17998/2073/Truss.jpg)
For this truss, the joint areas were flattened.  The lower chord is a fully scribed log that goes on the builiding in the traditional manner.  This truss is bolted for insurance. 
Title: Re: Log framing, not log homes! Question.
Post by: oklalogdog on November 15, 2011, 07:16:47 PM
James Mitchell has two very good books packed full of info.

The Craft of Modular Post and Beam
and
Short Log Construction.

The latter is the Bible (for lack of a better word) for Piece on Piece log construction.
Title: Re: Log framing, not log homes! Question.
Post by: bigshow on November 16, 2011, 08:49:34 AM
jander, that sure looks an awefully lot like a group photo from a class at Great Lakes LogBuilding :)

the best thing i picked up from Ron's class was my favorite unit of measurement: a hair

Title: Re: Log framing, not log homes! Question.
Post by: jander3 on November 16, 2011, 10:53:15 AM
Bigshow,

You are quite right.  I went up to Ely for a weekend a few years back and helped Ron cut the ridge and pulins for one of the class buildings (with a few guys from one of his recent classes).   I was getting ready to put the roof on the Stump Ranch and wanted to see how others approached this task. 

A moose hair...is one degree of measurement, very useful for building.   A hair is a finely tuned (and often colorful) unit to use for a measurement scale...

 
Title: Re: Log framing, not log homes! Question.
Post by: barbender on November 17, 2011, 11:21:51 AM
B. Allen Mackie has a book called "Notches Of All Kinds" (if I remember the title correctly). It shows the methods behind several kinds of trusses.
Title: Re: Log framing, not log homes! Question.
Post by: Satamax on November 18, 2011, 06:37:11 PM
Thanks a lot guys.
Title: Re: Log framing, not log homes! Question.
Post by: Raphael on November 26, 2011, 01:34:45 PM
A set of bubble scribes from Big Timberworks in Bozeman MT (actually Gallatin Gateway) is ideal for joining round to round.