The log cabin project

[Riggs]

I had a guy call me up wanting me to saw two flat sides on some oak logs for an old log cabin that he is trying to refubish. Yeah, I know, why oak?
I told him I'd give it a whirl. I thought I'd share it with the FF.

Here are the first logs he brought me, most are just shy of 20 feet long.



Most were knotty and crooked

 

This particular log he wanted 3 flat side on. No other dimensions, just 3 flat sides. Heavy, awkward, almost every move had involved the tractor.



He had tried to hand hew this one, first with an axe, then a chainsaw.







I ended up finishing about half of what he brought me. I'll share more as I go.

[Magicman]

In our Southern world, White Oak was the preferred log species for log houses.

[Okrafarmer]

Hmm, I be interested to see how this turns out.

[drobertson]

Practice makes perfect.  Looks like he made a very good attempt at hand hewing.  White oak is the log for this, as mentioned. It will last for decades if handled properly.  I love hand hewed timbers,  they are timeless, and can be done with time permitted to very close dimensions.    I have always found it to be helpful to cut what a custormer wants, regardless of bias, they are not all dummies after all.

[Riggs]

I have never seen an old log cabin or barn with oak exposed around here, and I wasn't trying to imply that it was not a good idea. The original cabin was out of pine according to the customer, and built in the late 1800's. Again, I never meant to imply that the customer was anything but right.