Skills, Tools,
Time, Safety | Falling
Trees | Log
Wheeler | Peeling
and Storing Logs
Primarily this construction process is where
the bottom of each log is cut with a long V that matches the
contours of the log it will rest on.
The advantage of this is mainly for shedding of water. Water
will run around the outside of the log until it reaches the
bottom and this V. Since it can’t run uphill into the V it
is shed onto the next lower log.
The V is stuffed with insulation which stops drafts from
entering the interior. Without this V cut the water will run
around the log and then sit in flat area between the logs
causing rot to quickly start.
When building in this method there are three steps for each
log stacked on the walls. The first is to scribe the contours
of the bottom log onto the top log. This is done with large
dividers.
The second is to cut the V groove using a chainsaw angled
to create one side of the V and then the other following the
scribed lines.
The third is to cut the notch required at each end of the
log to secure it to the adjacent logs. Typically these are
saddle notches because this type of notch sheds water well
and are comparatively easier to make than other traditional
notches.
A saddle notch is where the top log has the bottom log's
adjacent contour scribed and cut into it. The top log then
settles onto the bottom log. The trick is to cut the V groove
and Saddle notch in such a way that both fit the bottom log
together, neither one to deep or shallow which would cause
the other to not fit correctly.
The proper way to do this is to first cut the rough saddle
notch's, scribe and cut the V groove followed by the final
cuts on the saddle notch's The log is rolled in and out of
place on the wall to test for fit. Check to make sure there
are no knots or irregularities on the log before hoisting
onto the wall. Once on the wall the log should be belly up
with any bows or warps upright so when you roll inwards to
work in it it will be stable.
When you position it on the wall ensure the center of the
main log is correctly positioned dead center over the log
below and not just the butt ends. Get off the wall and step
back to check this visually. Periodically check the wall vertically
with a level to ensure it is still straight.
As the wall is going up check with a tape measure the distance
from the top of the wall to the floor in different spots on
the log. Any differences will accumulate so these need to
be sorted out on each log. By varying the notch depth you
can even out the log height. The goal is to have the log level
on the top and at the same height on both walls every two
logs.
Start with a rough cut of the notch. This will bring the
logs closer together and make the scribing of the V groove
much easier. To start the rough notch with the log in place
measure the largest gap between the two logs and setting your
scribe to less than this distance scribe the bottom log contour
onto the top log at each notch location both inside and outside.
The goal is once the rough notch is complete the logs just
about but do not touch or bind together when the top log is
rolled into place.
If the top of the log is out of level then the depth of these
notches can adjusts this as long as the log differences are
not excessive. This is why you put so much time and work in
choosing your logs and preparing them.
Roll the log inward and 180 degrees from its position. Dog
down securely. Using the chainsaw cut out the material in
the marked notch. Use the nose of the saw to create the contour.
Be careful not to cut outside the line. Once both notches
are done roll back into place and dog down.
Adjust scribe to the widest gap between top and bottom logs
and add 1/2 to 3/4 in to the setting. This addition is derived
from your measurements to determine log levelness and height
to opposite wall.
Modern log scribes come with a double bubble leveling system
that will indicate both vertical and horizontal level. This
tool receives rough service so get a good quality one that
will not move out of adjustment after setting when you are
running it along the log contour. While keeping the scribe
level (very important) move along both the inside and outside
of the logs marking the top log with the bottom logs contour.
Stop scribing about one foot from each end of the log. At
each butt mark the bottom logs contour onto the top log. We
don't want the V groove to run all the way to the end where
it would then show. The end contour of the bottom log will
be cut into top log so it rests on evenly.
Roll the log inward again and dog securely. Taking a sharp
large knife cut a 1/8 in deep line along the scribe mark.
This will stop chipping and tear out of material later. Now
slightly roll log until one of two scribed lines is just off
center on the side you use the chainsaw comfortable. Dog securely.
Using the nose of the saw cut inside the marked line in shallow
passes to the estimated depth of the opposite future connecting
cut. This should be quite shallow and the angle between these
cuts should be close to 180 degrees.
Stop cutting 1 ft from the butt end and with hand tools or
with the nose of the chainsaw cut the short round groove in
these butt ends to the depth of the scribed line. This cut
is important as you do not want to go too deep. The depth
should be such that the V groove edge just rests on the lower
log when the log is in its final position.
Roll the log again into a position correct to make the second
V groove cut. Use the nose of the chainsaw and stay inside
the line. Now the log should have a nice groove in the center.
Using hand tools finish the saddle notches to the final markings.
Make the center of the notch slightly deeper than the edge
(like a shallow bowl) in case protrusion on the top of the
lower log force the upper log up slightly and causing fitting
problems. You want those edges tight to each other.
Again using hand tools cut the V groove back to its final
markings. Roll the log into place and check fit. Continue
to trim the log until the fit is perfect. Once your happy
roll the log inward and stuff the V groove with insulation;
roll it back into its proper position and move onto the next
log.
Skills, Tools,
Time, Safety | Falling
Trees | Log
Wheeler | Peeling
and Storing Logs |
