Cabin Building Day 13

3/7/11 

Got the last wall framed in today.

Top plates next, then start putting up siding.

Cabin Building Day 12

3/5/11 

It finally warmed up in interior Alaska

Got the second long wall done with the window openings. One more wall to go.

End view, planning on getting the last wall with door and window done on Sunday.

Loaded up the big spruce to cut some 2x4's

Big spruce with log lifts bottomed out, just able to take a small slice with the 20" bar, to big for the 16" bar.
Had to use a standard stihl chain and standard 20" bar, ordered a 20" bar and low pro rip chain from Bailey's but it has not come in yet.
For those who are wondering how the mill cuts with standard cross cut chain, it really slow and makes some big chips (lots of them)! Rip chain is way faster!
Really did not have a choice, was able to take off 4 slabs and get the log down to a 14" square cant to cut with the 16" low pro rip chain and bar.

14" cant is the max for my 16" bar, cut two 4x14" cants from center then rip the both at the same time into 2x4's, nice getting 2 stud boards with each pass.

Was able to yield 15 true 2x4's and one 1x14" from the large spruce.

Cabin Building Day 11

2/20/11 

After not being able to go out for two weeks (temps in the -40's F) on the weekend, finally got out this weekend. Two plus feet of fresh snow so I spend most of my time digging things out and getting stuck pulling logs to the mill. Was able to get the rest of the wall beams cut and some of the walls studs for the last two walls. Planning on getting the walls finished up next weekend if its not -40!

Logging in 4' of snow, mad felling skills on the right tree, should have been a field goal kicker J

1st tree loaded up ready to head to the mill, got stuck 12 times on the way (1/4 mile), with a 24" superwide track!!!! If its not -40 its 4' of powder. Warn winch got its workout today.

Snow around floor deck, lumber for last two walls.

Mill after digging it out of the snow.

Cabin Building Day 10

2/5/11 

Stayed the night at the building site in the Arctic Oven tent, temp dropped to -28 in the middle of the night. Didn't get as much done on the walls but was able to haul in a couple of trees. Got some more corner posts made along with some 2x4's and 1x7's. If the temp goes back up, planning on going back out Sunday and put up at least one more wall.

Camping out in Arctic Oven tent with woods stove, keeps thing toasty warm at -28.

Tent and Cabin.

Logs ready to mill

Logs ready to mill

The above log was the first one that was too big for me to cut with my 16" bar, had it loaded on the mill with the log lifts all the way down and still could not make a pass with the 16" bar. Have a 20" bar coming in the mail to take care of this one. Never thought I would max out the bar with an interior Alaska Spruce, but its possible.

Be sure to check back next Thursday for Part 11!

Cabin Building Day 9

1/30/11 Sunday

Had a local inspector looking at the project this morning when I arrived, I think he was happy with the progress so far. Suggested I upgrade to a m7 J

Back to building

Had too much taper on this one and had to cut it down so the 16" bar would cut it. Cutting another corner post.

Side wall done.

End wall done after dark.

End wall pic 2

Planning on getting the other walls done next weekend if the weather holds out.

Be sure to check back next Thursday for Part 10!

Cabin Building Day 8

Finally warmed up in AK so I got a chance to get out and work on the cabin today. Here are some of the pics.

Pulling out Logs to make corner beams.

Pulling out beam logs pic 2

Getting ready to make 7x7 beams for corner posts and mid post.

First pass on corner beam, been getting pretty smooth cuts with the Baileys Low Profile Chain

First pass image 2

Second pass beam is 7" thick

Second pass picture 3

Finishest 7x7 post

First corner post in place and braced

One side wall completed 8' tall with true 2x4's on 16" centers

Getting logs just before dark (4 pm) for cutting Sunday.

Racking logs for cutting Sunday

Hopefully more walls up on Sunday.

Be sure to check back next Thursday for Part 9!

Cabin Building Day 7

-28 today, got the mill set up for cutting logs. Made a loading ramp out of 4" timber and some stumps. Also cut a 14' long in half and place in front of the loading ramps so the logs do not get stuck to the ice during the week. Plan on hauling some logs next week and start cutting 2x4's for wall studs. Going to put 7" corner posts in each corner and two middle ones on the 20' long walls so I do not have to deal with hauling trees over 12' long.

Be sure to check back next Thursday for Part 8!

Cabin Building Day 6

Hauled out the osb, only got stuck once on the trail thank god I have a warn winch on the back of my machine, its bailed me out more than once on this project. Got the rest of the floor joist and rims done, and put down the deck. Ready for some walls!

Be sure to check back next Thursday for Part 7!

Cabin Building Day 5

Got the foundation all leveled up and started to put the rim joist and floor joist together. Hopefully be done with floor tomorrow.

Be sure to check back next Thursday for Part 6!

Cabin Building Day 4
12/29/10

Worked on setting up mill on the lake and leveling out the foundation beams.

Be sure to check back next Thursday for Part 4!