Handmade House TV #33 "Lifting Logs"

What is the best way to lift logs into place when building a log cabin for the first time? or when working alone? There are lots of ways to make lifting easier... and there are lots of ways to get seriously injured. If you enjoy this video be sure and subscribe to our channel here on KZbin... come pay us a visit at... handmadehouses.com/ .... and consider joining us within the Handmade House Guild... noahbradley.lpages.co/handmad...

[@kay486]

I forgot to say this at the previous video, but here goes: It would be great if you actually showed and reviewed actual synthetic chinking instead of just making fun of it, like really showing that its inferior. And since you are doing this for so long, even having the two right side by side, chinking one gap with the synthetic stuff and one with the traditional cement. Then seeing how they stand the test of time. If your claims are true, then the synthetic one would fail and you could have evidence to back up your claims which would make them that much stronger.

[@HandmadeHouseswithNoahBradley]

With synthetic chinking... many of it's problems are revealed on day one... it's expensive... and it looks fake... just like those plastic rocks that some folks will put in their yards. I just don't get the desire to have it... one builds a home of wood and stone... one that is handcrafted... And then there is the durability issue... My goal in building a home is to build one that will last for centuries.... at minimal I think any house should be in great shape once a long term mortgage is paid off (If a person has to make mortgage payments for life, then finally when free of that burden they should have something to be proud of) It seems that so many modern building products are designed to fail... the number one form of roofing here in the US is asphalt shingles that comes with 20 year guarantee... whereas a copper roof should last 150 years. So, when it comes to chinking our cabins... how long will cement last? In all of my videos I show cabins that I chinked 30+ years ago. In all cases it's holding up with no problems. While those who promote the use of synthetic chinking never showcase the same with their product of the same age. hmmmm I could go out and smear some of it one of my cabins, and then look at it for the rest of my life, and then show how the finished result 30 years from now... but I would be 90 then lol.... yikes! So, I need to maintain my focus... and not go off pointing out the flaws of things that I find undesirable... but rather focus on what I have discovered to work well. Thank you so much for your comments and ideas!

[@kay486]

Oh yeah, I see and understand where all of your reasons come from. It just feels strange to me that the synthetic stuff would be inferior in every way, sure they can not show how well it stands the test of time because nobody would develop a product to sell 20 years later. You also said that you used it many years ago, so Id imagine the current stuff could be better. Anyhow, thanks for your reply and keep up the great work! :)

[@all4180]

Thanks for taking the time to provide a detailed answer! BTW - In the spring, I have to spend some time recaulking my 8 year old house. Again! And repairing my 8 year old (20 year guarantee, uhuh) roof shingles as well. Yup, next roof will be a metal one for sure.............

[@jbossnack]

Synthetic materials are garbage...go with real materials like Noah says or you'll find yourself wishing that you had in about 7-10 years because synthetic materials won't age well.

[@Joseph-eh4rs]

My understand is some of those synthetic are made of petrochemical. Who wants that in your cabin? Wood and petrochemical are great combo for a tinderbox.

[@pamelaarescurrinaga3295]

Not ever gonna be a log home builder/owner, but I thoroughly enjoy listening to common sense building advice. Satisfying.

[@HandmadeHouseswithNoahBradley]

Thank you! (you never can tell what the future might have in store for you!)

[@ninjahipp0]

I would love to watch a video on talking about purchasing logs and the costs associated. I would also love to see a video regarding the details of floor joists connections, subfloor, and flooring choices. Thanks for making such great videos!

[@HandmadeHouseswithNoahBradley]

Great suggestions! I'll have to add those to the list! I did go into both of those topics within the Log Cabin Academy course... the floor and foundation system is an area that so many mess up on and it took me years to get the configuration just right... and logs... whew there are many variables, each with it's pros and cons. Thanks for the kind words about the videos! much appreciated.

[@Lawman212]

Great points Noah!

[@all4180]

Excellent video, thank you!

[@russellwilkins5409]

Noah, thank you for your gift of encouragement! I look forward to joining the guild when I am able to do so. I'm 57 and already have a beautiful family built 1927 Cape Cod cottage to retire to in Arkansas and I'm hoping to build some out buildings with my son, my daughter and a few friends including: a shop/storage space, a carport with guest room on top, with all of the structures being made out of wood and at least the carport matching the cedar shake cottage prior to our move-in date in May, 2026. As a bonus, I hope to build a small, as per your instruction, log cabin on the property which has been in my wife's family since 1911. Our families have been close friends worshiping together and doing business together since the 1850's in the delta county of Jefferson in Arkansas. The front Dutch door of the cottage came from her GGG grandfather's farm home built around 1848 by him and his farm hands. I look forward to building our legacy with you!

[@HandmadeHouseswithNoahBradley]

Thank you Russell! Encouraging others to build their dream home is my number one mission... the rewards to doing so is amazing. Thanks for sharing as well... amazing! I have found that one of the key ingredients to making a dream come true is by setting a date for it to happen. You are on your way!

[@philhartman1501]

Another great video Noah, thanks!

[@HandmadeHouseswithNoahBradley]

Thank you!

[@audreyandlinCompany]

Thanks for posting these videos -- interesting and helpful!

[@HandmadeHouseswithNoahBradley]

Thank you! I'm glad to hear that you might be getting something out of it!

[@robpinter5431]

Thanks Noah, I have the land, chainsaw , chainsaw mill, and trees...but no idea on how to lift the logs...many thanks on this video

[@HandmadeHouseswithNoahBradley]

It does seem to be a sticking point for many... just take it one log at a time... you'll get there!

[@all4180]

Grats! I just have the desire and a long list of things to actually go out and purchase. Like land, chainsaw, chainsaw mill, and trees! Hoping to get this all in the works by spring. Next spring, not in 5 years! lol

[@cullendrea]

Yay! It's Handmade House Wednesday! Thank you for the wealth of information, Noah. By the way, can you come to Asheville, NC to help me set the logs on my log home? ;)

[@HandmadeHouseswithNoahBradley]

I'm not certain if my old truck will make it that far! I would love to see a photo or two!

[@AvalonWoodsHomestead]

Thank you. You have answered my biggest question - how the heck does one handle those big, long, heavy logs?! Now on to the next big question :).

[@HandmadeHouseswithNoahBradley]

:)

[@ChristIsCome]

I would like to know what method is used to join two logs together on one side of a house. For example, if I wanted the length of the cabin to be a lot longer than the logs I have available, so I lay two across instead of one. How would I join those to retain the space between them and avoid rot ? Any sort of reference you can suggest ? I can't find anything online to be much help other than some distant pictures.

[@harveypost7799]

Of course...

[@charlesatkins5388]

That was a good looking old truck in that one shot. Was it an old Willys?

[@HandmadeHouseswithNoahBradley]

That would be a Dodge Power Wagon... a beast of a machine. So attractive... and yet so miserable to drive. lol

[@rudygregory7482]

Don't understand one thing. Are logs notched individually or pre cut in mass. Crane waiting. Great videos. Thanks

[@jdp0359]

I just saw a video on a gentleman who restores old log cabins in Iowa. The thing he does that I completely dont understand is he puts siding around the house? It completely takes away from the beauty of the exterior but does it help the structure last longer?

[@CliffsideStables]

Any suggested size on the "tiny" practice cabin? I guess it becomes one of the out buildings on the property?

[@HandmadeHouseswithNoahBradley]

The tiny cabin I built for the Log Cabin Academy was five by eight feet... I was working with six and nine foot logs to do this. The logs I was working with were large (up to 2 feet in width), green and heavy. This is about as small of a cabin as one can build and still be a useful structure. I had some vermin-injured trees on my property that I cut... I paid an operator of a portable band saw mill to come and saw the two faces of the logs for me which cost me $240. If I had gone to the local sawmill I could have likely gotten the logs there for probably twice that. As I was nearing the completion of the cabin I had someone stop in and greatly admire it and he offered me $2,000 for it (it's not for sale)... I've got several family members that have told me that they would like to have it, so likely now I have more to build to keep everybody happy (sigh). There are a lot of ways to make a little cabin like this into a useful outbuilding, and they add so much to the beauty of a log home ... having a log outbuilding nearby. Another option is that it can be a great playhouse for the "little ones." One last thing... it had been a few years since I had built one by myself... it was a great confidence builder and I really had a good time building it. I now have a great little reminder for the rest of my life of one thing I did back in '17

[@all4180]

Could use a 3' X 4' deluxe outhouse! :)

[@andreawisner7358]

Makes sense to do the first few logs by hand and then hire a crane operator to come in and help with at least the last couple rows.

[@GrimmGF]

Hello Noah, do you have a video on how to lift heavy stones for house construction?

[@HandmadeHouseswithNoahBradley]

No Grimm. Not as of yet. I am moving some large stones around my property, and it will involve machinery!

[@GrimmGF]

@@HandmadeHouseswithNoahBradley thank you for the quick answer.

[@embaradosmithingandwoodcraft]

your 4 lift options missed out on the best a sky line set up

[@HandmadeHouseswithNoahBradley]

lol... oh yeah... darn... I wished I had thought about mentioning that one! Always tell the new guy... "hey go look in the truck and bring me back the sky hook"

[@fwayne1947]

In your part of the USA, what type of wood are you using for the logs? Thanks.

[@HandmadeHouseswithNoahBradley]

Historically... it's been oak, tulip poplar, chestnut, and yellow pine. But any log, free of knots, straight, and of the proper size will do the job! I just built a tiny log cabin for the Log Cabin Academy out of walnut and it turned out great! One piece of advice I can offer... choose the best wood you can find. If someone tells you that you are crazy to build your cabin out of such nice wood.... "why you could make furniture out of that!"... then you likely have the proper wood for your cabin.

[@fwayne1947]

Thanks for the reply. I expected you to reply the hardwood varieties, and not the yellow pine. Why? Just thought the hardwood would be more durable. Thanks again.

[@HandmadeHouseswithNoahBradley]

Hardwoods do tend to hold up better (less tasty from an insect's point of view) With regard to beauty a cabin made of antique heart pine is about as attractive as a log cabin comes... whereas new yellow pine brings with it a lot of challenges (and so drives it to the near bottom of species that I would choose)... even though it is abundant, straight, and used by many. I do greatly admire a lot of the softer woods and would use them in a heartbeat to build a cabin for myself... such as hemlock or white pine.

[@fwayne1947]

Thanks again.

[@all4180]

I thought that softwood, like spruce/pine, was considered a better choice because it contains resin which helps preserve it and is also a better insulator? Then again, I've yet to build a single cabin so... what do I know. :)

[@LolitasGarden]

What can you tell us about the log lifting technique shown at the end of this (very likely marked as spam) video? kzbin.info/www/bejne/jZu1iGauiJmEZ5Y This seems like something one man with a winch, enough rope, and the right rigging equipment could use to make short, easy work of lifting logs. Thanks!

[@HandmadeHouseswithNoahBradley]

I took a quick look at the video... (fast forwarded most of it for now)... and in the end it showed a few people with ropes pulling a log up onto the house... which appeared to work well for them (the logs appear to be poplar which is one of the lightest of woods... and one that I admire). It's always a good idea to have a few good ropes handy on site... we've done this technique as well... but often a rope is tough to pull on (less than pleasant)... and certainly with the aid of a bit of rigging or winching things can get easier. I think your point (and this video) add to the message that I was trying to make... When building a cabin we don't need to over-focus on the acquisition of complicated and costly equipment. We just take it one step at a time, along with some muscle power and careful thought, while focusing on safety, and we will be able to get each log into it's final resting place. Thank you for sharing. :)

[@davidervin7345]

You don't raise logs, you raise trees and turn them into logs. Of course, you could raze a house. In fact you could have a house raising or a house razing; beginning and end.

[@HandmadeHouseswithNoahBradley]

I like it!!! Words are funny things aren't they?

[@davidervin7345]

Like the homes we build, our language (for better or worse) comes from many places. Our home are the better for the many influences but our language, apart from a pun writers joy, must be a bane to new learners. Your videos are AWESOME as is your work. Thanks!

[@HandmadeHouseswithNoahBradley]

Thank you!

[@jamesling7224]

Stop talking an show something ! !