Three Years Building an Off Grid Dovetail Log Cabin in the Canadian Wilderness | Start to Finish

In the fall of 2018 I purchased a Woodlandmills HM126 bandsaw mill. This was the first step on my journey to building a dovetail log cabin and an off grid life in the wilderness of eastern Canada.
Through this journey I have also grown a small KZbin channel, learned countless lessons, and connected with numerous people from both my local area and farther abroad.
This journey has been exceedingly rewarding. The feeling of building a home with one's own hands is hard to describe. It is an immense amount of work, but completely worth it.
Thank-you for watching!
Here are a few others videos or links you may find interesting:
Channel Supporters:
The Cabin Depot - www.thecabindepot.ca/penniac
Bluetti - www.bluettipower.ca/
Social Media and Links
Instagram - / penniac.wilderness
TikTok - / penniac.wilderness
Link Tree - linktr.ee/penniacwilderness
Merchandise
teespring.com/stores/pwcstore
Purchases help support the channel :)
Playlists and Videos
- Dovetail Log Cabin Playlist - • Dovetail Log Cabin - C...
-Outdoor Furniture Playlist - • DIY Cabin Furniture - ...
-Dovetail Log Cabin | Cutting Dovetail Notches - • Dovetail Log Cabin - C...
- One Year Progress - www.youtube.com/watch?v=0DKTv...
- "Why The Gaps" - • Dovetail Log Cabin - W... - Here I explain the reasons for the gaps and some history of why they were left in cabins in the past.

[@stephaneplaza3949]

When a person strives, and completes his endeavor with success, he will have provided a service to himself and to humanity 💞👍

[@johntillotson4254]

Agreed

[@johnmcfarland4700]

Turned out amazing. From one builder to another, exceptional craftsmanship and the idea of the pennies in the floor was great!!

[@DrBombay911]

Beautiful work! It's inspiring to see someone's dream come true one nail, screw, and board at a time.

[@HenryRob]

Are you ready to build the best chicken coop ever? Then you need this book! kzbin.infoUgkxzaRUJNcbypw-fRBDbqqz43ULIa-1EGP- It has tons of awesome barns and coops that you can choose from, without making you dizzy with too many options. The book is super easy to follow, with lots of pictures and videos to show you how it's done. But don't expect to learn everything about chickens here, this book is all about the structures. You'll have to look elsewhere for chicken care tips. Trust me, this book is a must-have for any chicken lover!

[@Tomhohenadel]

Jon, impressive to see the build in its entirety. Great job, nice to have family, friends to help out and they can enjoy your amazing progress as well.

[@PenniacWilderness]

Thank you, Tom. The connections I've made to others through this build is one of the most rewarding parts. I appreciate your support :)

[@laruedouglas7972]

What a beautiful cabin and I love that you put the Canadian coins in the wood floor. What a awesome idea.

[@FlyerPatty29]

You’ve done an amazing job you have a lot to be proud of

[@debramayoh1434]

Awesome! Beautiful craftsmanship. I helped my partner build a small cabin in the PNW when I was 17! enjoyed all of it! Even hauling water 😊✝️🕊💜

[@paulerwin1263]

An absolute fantastic job on your dovetail! Every addition and finishing touches are perfect for the setting and the pennies marked a job well done! 👍🏼👍🏼

[@pd9971]

That log stencil is a freaking brilliant idea!

[@Keekers3299]

Looks great! Thank you for sharing your journey with us! ❤🎉

[@Kathyskollectables]

Incredible!!! A beautiful build!!

[@leniedejong9224]

Beautiful work. GOD PLEASE BLESS THIS BEAUTIFUL HOME!!🙏🏻👵🏻❤️

[@denniscarreno5882]

I’ve watch your videos many times over….And I love your passion for building a perfect cabin….3 years to build….wow ! I would have given up after 6 months…..well made and well done….

[@PenniacWilderness]

Hi Dennis - I remember you well and appreciate you watching! Hope you are doing well, my friend.

[@jamesfearing9459]

I love the penny thing, wonderful hallmark of a Canadian cabin.

[@eileenallemm1835]

Tina ,Parker and Joe it's all good you guys are doing it right keep up the fight love you guys 🙏

[@sqd37l]

how beautiful! what great craftsmanship. outstanding.

[@joannconfer1144]

This is absolutely beautiful. Excellent job. I’d live there in a heart beat. I love it. 🙋🏻‍♀️💖🦋💖

[@soldier-Dave]

Loving watching this! beautiful!

[@janetwood9106]

Absolutely love it extra details Make it take on a life of its own. Marvelous

[@bvfarm3]

So pretty...such a beautiful place!

[@johnfox6432]

So revlived... I thought you were going to enclose tha beautiful outdoor porch to the elements. Great place to enjoy nature and that wonderful brook.

[@Zippy1wood.]

You guys really did a great job

[@MagdaPeggy]

Solid, comfy, creative design. Bravo

[@cleusagouvea2585]

A casa dos sonhos ,uma maravilhosa obra de arte, parabéns a toda equipe que construiu.

[@janreynolds3794]

Turned out fabulous!

[@buffalo4127]

Oh my gosh this is extra ordinary!!! This young man deserves an award! I wish you were my neighbor and could help me finish my log home (-;

[@dawnchrysostomou5782]

I subscribed to watch your videos from the very beginning , you have a beautiful home and I have followed your journey with avid interest, thank you so much for sharing.

[@kaipaioutdoors]

Beautiful! I love the location next to the river. Good job! 👍🏼

[@robertbonn1481]

Awesome, Beautiful Workmanship, Outstanding !!!..

[@41murphy2]

What a beautiful cabin. Anyone would be proud to live there.

[@user-pn9ft8sl3m]

Absolutely brilliant you should be very proud of your achievements and hard work and I wish you much enjoyment in what you have built together

[@sanantoniofurnituredecor9560]

I love all this great wood stock! You are truly doing a fantastic job and doing justice to the natural wood.

[@PenniacWilderness]

Thanks!

[@ruthiewilliams3482]

I love watching the process of building❤️👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@Angela-us8zh]

Good work man!! Amazing wood working skills!!!Nice Job!! Keep thriving!

[@frankn267]

One of my favorites, built to last hundreds of years. Generations of family.

[@rosaolbera8768]

What a beautiful home you built it's just beautiful and I love the water that goes by so close I just found ýour channel and joined it Rosa olbera from America 🇺🇸

[@kevinh.w.crabbe8748]

You done a beautiful job building in the cabin is very beautiful and well thought of

[@wandaeades7274]

WHAT A BEAUTIFUL CABIN! ITS MAGICAL!!!!

[@gailh9749]

I was so happy you didn’t fully enclose the upstairs porch as you did with the front porch. At least screens allow for fresh air. So sad to have lost that downstairs area for porch-sittin’. The house is beautiful.

[@jennifergraham9679]

very nice and well built cabin,,enjoy for years to come,,

[@jacquelinedixon6438]

This is the prettiest cabin on KZbin.

[@grahamball364]

Sir , I’ve only just found your channel,you’ve made your and family a beautiful home , wish it was something that I own but I live in the UK 🇬🇧. Enjoy life stay safe .Graham.

[@PenniacWilderness]

Thanks Graham, good to hear from you :)

[@kensebring3683]

Been around woodworking for 70 years. Sure enjoyed the video. Thank you. Stay well and be safe

[@kevins17]

Absolutely amazing

[@jampasurprenant1794]

One of the beautiful cabin home I have seen so far looks Fantastic you did absolutely beautiful job on the house.

[@PenniacWilderness]

Thank you so much!

[@BEV0323]

AWESOME! GREAT JOB!!!

[@appamtnculture1302]

Most amazing video I've ever watched on youtube.

[@georgewhitehouse8630]

I am glad you did 😊

[@heyyoubuddy6749]

Hi sweetie it’s nice to see you again. I use the double hard on my sawmill. It lasts so much longer. The cedar I saw is kind of abrasive so regular blades last about 45 minutes in the wood. I got the double hard on sale in December for about 22 bucks a blade shipped in the 15 packs. Can’t wait to get sawing again, everything is under 4 feet of snow. God bless you and the family.

[@PenniacWilderness]

Thanks for the tips!

[@joannak4640]

What a fantastic video!! I am sharing on FB ❤️ I look forward to seeing how the shed is coming along, also. Thank you

[@PenniacWilderness]

Thanks for sharing! Really appreciate your support Joanna. More to come :)

[@JDK45ACP]

really great episode! Thanks, Brother.

[@keithpatterson6365]

That dark stain on the trim and lighter walls was amazing. NICE!!

[@pedrodelpilar2706]

What a lovely place

[@jarcmhomedesignandengineer4348]

Nice and excellent Job. Two thumbs up.

[@shereechampoux5424]

Beautiful cabin!

[@charlenegrady8781]

What a great video. Amazing job you have done. I know I’ve said it before but I just love the sound of the river. If I had that cabin I’d never leave. Thank you so much for sharing. Take care from Cape Cod Massachusetts ✌️🇺🇸❤️

[@PenniacWilderness]

Thanks Charlene! Yes, the river at night is a lovely sound to hear. It is calming and the wildlife it supports is wonderful to see as well. Thanks for your support

[@arealf-ckingenious]

Unbelievably fabulous job building this cabin. I do think I would have never closed in the upstairs balcony. It overlooks the creek and was your money shot. I would have been up there every day outdoors, but protected from the elements while enjoying my favorite cocktail.

[@PenniacWilderness]

Yea, I hear you and partially agree. My reasoning to close it in was mostly that I wanted to be able to have an area to sit that was free of bugs during the month we have mosquitoes and blackflies. This will give me that.

[@SmyrnaApostolicMission]

@@PenniacWilderness I read this comment before I got to that part of the video and my first thought was "screens." I am in the deep south US and insects can ruin me sitting outside too. Although here, bug season is anytime over 60F, so, most of the year lol.

[@cecilialabel4565]

Yeah, I was sad to see them closing in that porch.

[@carlosd4863]

😅😊9😊

[@TruongTien-fz7ru]

Hi I love your video

[@gfsrow]

Marvelous job! The insulation will be a big assist for any and all external temps. Nicely done!

[@hoangthichien1991ideahouse]

the house is perfectly designed congrats I like it❤🧡

[@brianscott9861]

Loved the tongue and groove form. Never seen that before.

[@thomasspainhour1112]

Awesome build, NC USA 🇺🇸

[@PenniacWilderness]

Thanks!

[@richardstephens8541]

Wow. You have a lot of skills there my friend.

[@rubymckinley4909]

Love, no talking. Cute dawgs and cute couple.😊

[@jerrystout3032]

Outstanding job guys 👍!!!

[@sabereaprender-hx9zz]

Coisa linda, em meio ao trabalho, eles mostram a grandeza da natureza em um lugar tão inóspito. Ficou maravilhosa está casa.😍😍😍

[@cristinacristinamorales3852]

Amazing house very talented people

[@ar1701]

Hmmm nothing like hand crafted, precision, bark included, craftmanship, attention to detail, yup a mechanical, marvel, 🙂

[@pre176]

Great job out in the wilderness and the cabin looks great. Watch those windows and doors though. You secured the vertical window and door bucks to the log courses and appeared to leave no gap at the top for vertical settlement. With green logs (I assume) you’re going to have problems.

[@dl4784]

Superb forest cabin. Congratulations

[@williamskris6335]

Beautifully crafted!!! TY for sharing!!! God Bless!!! I would love to see what you do for making an off grid greenhouse that is dovetailed!!!

[@PenniacWilderness]

Maybe that's a good spring project!

[@LyThiHoa1987]

Your video is excellent Your house is assembled very firmly, meticulously, and is very beautiful ❤❤❤

[@joyceadkins]

Beautiful cabin 😊

[@ryon1987]

what a beautiful house 🏠❤️❤️❤️😱👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@brianscott9861]

Great job 👍

[@Big-Dawwg]

Ok,,,, Very Nice Job for sure,,,,, and the thing I like the Most, was that your Door Opened Out,,,,, as does mine. BD in Alaska...... 😎

[@lesleycarswell5207]

Incredible build, I'm so jealous 😂

[@LostCaper]

Lived in NewBrunswick and Nova Scotia. Looking at building a cabin for a long time. I’m old but never could seem the priority the follow my own dreams.

[@allanclark1465]

WELL AMAZING TO SEE SOME ONE ACTUALLY PUTS SCREWS IN THE RIDGE AND NOT THE VALLEY OF THEIR ROOFING IRON WELL DONE AND GREAT VIDEO TOO INSPIRING WORK

[@PenniacWilderness]

That was how I was taught to do it. Is it uncommon?

[@allanclark1465]

@@PenniacWilderness seems a lot of people who do videos on how to put the screws and nail through the valleys and thats where the water is not on the ridges and i have been trained here in New Zealand that we put the screws/nails in the ridge to to prevent moisture getting into your roof so not sure why so many in America do that must be that those outside the us understand water does not run along a ridge line just like in nature keep up the good work and thanks for an enjoyable video

[@user-xz2cm5pq2b]

Красивая работа!Аплодисменты! Привет из России! Beautiful work!Applause! Greetings from Russia!

[@user-jo1pf7zc5e]

Привет тёте Марине из моего леса где мы живём,заходи на мой канал

[@REB-forever]

Beautiful job and cabin 👌

[@mikebateman8021]

Not exactly the way how I would build something but that River sure makes up for it all

[@dubemccready7438]

You most certainly built yourselves a lovely Log Cabin in the bush. Very nice how it all came together, the what/ the how/ the finishes, I wish you all well in your adventures & I do realise you have been there for some time but all the same Well Done.

[@PenniacWilderness]

Thank you so much!

[@valeriebostick1913]

Beautiful cabin 🇬🇧😊

[@kevinh.w.crabbe8748]

I’m watching you from southern Alberta Canada

[@johnwilliams294]

Really nice build, way to take pride in your craftsmanship. Glad to see the felt paper and styrofoam. New sub here. John in WV

[@PenniacWilderness]

Hi John, thanks for subscribing. Would love to get down your way, one day :)

[@geoffparker6956]

Quality craftsmanship from start to finish. I do believe that there is a tremendous amount of unnecessary overbuild. Bording over the stack wall main frame defeats the purpose and is a extra consumption of material. At what point does solid become a waist of lumber? I believe this building could have been built solid and structurally sound using 35 percent less lumber. And the result would be just as beautifully finished as this building is. You get top points from me however I'm just saying there is a line of nessary ,needed and practical that is important to know that line and when and if its worth crossing. Thank you for the detailed look at the project . I am in the process of a similar build. I've just cut my logs and moved them to the site and in the process of purchasing a mill. I have operated wood mizer mills for a few years in the past and enjoy sawing as much as building. This will be my retirement home off grid to enjoy the rest of my days in . My goal is to build it to my needs and to what looks good to me not others and efficiently used material to standards of common scents not county building bylaws. Ie. A log carrying beam opposed to a laminated engineere beam . And my log wall will be my finished product. This is what makes a log house practical to me and a post and beam house simply an extra 30 percent more money to build. That's just a simple hill Billy mountain boys opinion tho .

[@bonnieburke6764]

That is beauiful well done.

[@ivethernandez1778]

This is a great compilation, and the work is outstanding. Congrats! Fantastic nature scenes as well.

[@Banvanco]

What a wonderful winter shelter, come to the Tropics to see if I can share! ok 👍

[@dancox5572]

What an outstanding build. Absolutely lovely and very nicely done. While I appreciate the peaceful nature of the video, with a project of this caliber I would have appreciated some spoken narratives of how and why. Also I found myself getting a little bit upset that the video was ending. Who am I to complain really. I thoroughly enjoyed this and I think that this was extremely nicely and well done. Being a Canadian, that has been fortunate enough to travel much of our beautiful country, I often play a guessing game of where in Canada is this? My success rate is a lot less than outstanding. Kinda feels like new Brunswick or northern Ottawa Valley. Once again I thank you for sharing this, I think you did a fantastic job. Take good care.

[@sherylbartlett3871]

WOOOW.....This is more like a house than a cabin! Beautiful job! Thank you for sharing.....God bless.

[@chandrasutton4669]

Good job!!!

[@enricocolagrossi7780]

Che dire ottimo lavoro,posto fantastico

[@johntillotson4254]

Thx for sharing

[@maricarmenibanez3751]

Muy trabajado todo el resultado divino felicidades y disfrutarlo mucho

[@tariqsiddique1383]

Excellent.

[@jamesa.rodriguez8598]

Bravo!

[@mattukko]

A "spindle tree" must be made for window and door openings, because the frame will fall in due course, so that the log will not be left to bear.

[@limlaith]

There are (at least) a hundred reasons why I could never do all of this. I am so impressed. What an amazing cabin! I am blown away. In a sense, this reminds me of Hobbiton. 😄 It would be a dream.

[@PenniacWilderness]

Thank you so much!

[@elbauzan]

I see a lot of "The Outsider" influence. Great Job!