Post and Beam Build Has Started

[philoufelin]

Hi, 
First, I wanted to congratulate for the incredible work ! I am wondering how you managed the shrinkage with your beam ? I worked on a smaller projet and faced issue with the shrinkage of my beam. I spent a lot of time to bring back the beam squarre and realised they were still twisted when I was ready to do the joinery. Did you use end grain sealer to prevent shrinkage ?

[beenthere]

Hi,
First, I wanted to congratulate for the incredible work ! I am wondering how you managed the shrinkage with your beam ? I worked on a smaller projet and faced issue with the shrinkage of my beam. I spent a lot of time to bring back the beam squarre and realised they were still twisted when I was ready to do the joinery. Did you use end grain sealer to prevent shrinkage ?

The twisting is possibly identifiable in the log as it relates to spiral grain grown into the tree, and usually identifiable. If observed, then can avoid it in a beam that you do not want to twist when drying occurs. 
The width and depth shrinkage in a straight-grain beam still needs to be accounted for when drying happens.

[Stephen1]

The length will not shrink. Shrinkage is inevitable and such you build that into your sizing or do your joinery quicker. 

[Rhodemont]

Phil,
  First let me thankyou for you complement. Being my own worst critic sometimes it is tough to see the forest through the trees. 

I am truly a novice at this, so what I know is from building run-in sheds for my horses and what I have learned on this forum.

Being my own timbers  I bucked them well over length and sealed the ends with Anchor Seal immediately upon cutting to length.  I added a good foot on each end of length to allow for end checking when cut to finish size.  As I posted a while back I sawed them 1/2 inch in width/height oversize to allow for several months of drying shrink.  Every post and beam is pith centered ( or as centered as I could saw) which worked out well as I found very little camber in the components after the aging.  I do wish I had gone a bit more in oversize because just skimming 1/4 inch on each side is not as easy as it sounds because shrink varies with  the grain and knots on the surface.  I did not pay attention to length as I cut them to exact length just before installation.  When I skinned/cut to length and prepped them the linseed/thinner goop went on right away including the ends.  I see no signs of length shrink but checks and width/height shrink is occurring and will until until aged through out which will take several more years.

So, that is what I know.  Hope it helps.

[philoufelin]

The length will not shrink. Shrinkage is inevitable and such you build that into your sizing or do your joinery quicker.

Thank for the answer. I understand the skrinkage is inevitable, so the best strategy is to cut the log and do the joinery quick. Is there any strategy (log sealing, etc.) ?

[Rhodemont]

I put the linseed goop on right away to seal the ends and surfaces to preserve the fresh finish of the wood.  Once I get the siding on this spring I will need to go over the interior with the sander to shine it up and apply another coating. 

[Rhodemont]

The pic is from where I left off in December the morning after having finished the roof.  Have not done any building since then.  Folks who walk our road have been asking when I am going to start up again.  All I can say is I have been working all along to fell the trees, skid the logs, and saw the timbers needed to continue the build.  I have a few more timbers to saw then start building with the plan for this year to frame the side over the slab for my truck, frame the back shed roof for firewood, frame in all the sides for doors and windows, and get siding and balance of roofing on.   Lot to do.  Oh and still have to saw the rafters for the two roofs.
                           
                              

[Magicman]

You have done a lot and still have a lot to do.  
Mighty fine Sir,  Mighty Fine.