NEWS

November | December 2006 | January 2007 Number 61

Agreement Number 40707514
Log Restoration Sheds Light on
Construction
By Bill Finley
The purpose of this article is to share what I have
learned through years of restoring log homes, and
how those lessons can help people who build new
log homes.
We all know that log homes require some annual
maintenance, and sometimes the maintenance is
more involved, depending upon the climate. For
instance, in Western Washington we have consider-
ably more rainfall than many other states. This
demands more attention to the maintenance of a log
homeclimate can quickly damage unprotected logs.
I restored a log home in Hawaii where the climate is
hot and humid and the logs on this particular log
home were so covered with black mold that, in some
areas, it had the appearance of having caught fire.
Roof Overhangs
Deep roof overhangs are key to keeping logs in good
condition. Exposed gable ends with 16 inch, or less
overhangs are going to have problems down the
road, especially if those gables and dormers are facing
south. If there is not sufficient protection from the
elements, you will have early failure and, if this is not
taken care of, these areas can rot. I would suggest to
anyone building a log home to have at least a 3-foot
overhang around the house.
This past summer I restored a log home that was
on a bluff overlooking the water in an area with high
winds. They had 6-foot roof overhangs in some areas
and had done minimal maintenance over 10 years.
continued over
Inside This Issue
Log Building Code Moves
Towards Adoption
page 4
Where will the Best
Suppliers meet the Best
Builders? page 5
Charting Our Course in
Changing Times page 6
Chainsaw Carving
Workshop page 8
Are You Doing Donkey
Work? page 9
Advertisers in This Issue
page 9
Tech Talk page 10
Log Grading Setback
page 11
Bad Weather? Got it
Covered .page 12
Welcome New and
Renewing Members
page 13
A Plan for Transporting
and Assembling Log
Structures page 14
Variation on the Knife-
Plate Theme page 15
Insulated Panels for Log
Homes page 16
Classified Ads page 18, 20
Start Training Now for
the 2007 Log Builder
Games page 19
Election Results page 23
Log purlins extending beyond the roof edge
2007
ILBA C
onference
April 26 to 29
Abbottsford,BC
2 LogBuildingNews November | December 2006 | January 2007
LogBuildingNews
November | December 2006 | January 2007
Issue #61
Published four times a year
2007 International Log Builders
Association
P.O. Box 775
Lumby, British Columbia
Canada V0E 2G0
Toll-free: 800-532-2900
Phone: 250-547-8776
Fax: 250-547-8775
www.logassociation.org
Cathy Hansen, Executive Director
cathy@logassociation.org
Ann Miks, Administrative Assistant
ann@logassociation.org
Log Building News Editor
Robert Chambers
robert@logbuilding.org
Contributors to this issue:
Ron Brodigan
courses@schooloogbuilding.com
John Boys
john@logworks.ca
Bill Finley
billnley@westcoastrestoration.com
Rob Pickett
robpickett@vermontel.net
Patti LeFrancois
plefran@shaw.ca
Mike McVay
mmcvay@whidbey.com
Michael Stone
michael@markupandprot.com
Jeff Dunham & Paul Malko
800-644-8885
The stain had failed and had to be removed (especially on the side facing the water)
but in some areas, where the logs had been protected, they looked good. I would say
that the overhangs played a big part in the protection of these logs.
Roof purlins are vulnerable if they are extended past the fascia boards or drip edge.
This problem occurs due to exposure to the elements unless, during his annual main-
tenance, the owner is willing to climb up to each purlin to check and treat. I would
suggest that all purlins be cut back behind the fascia boards and that Impel Rods be
inserted from the topbefore the soffit material is installed to hide the holes were the
Impel Rods were installed. Installed Impel Rods will remain dormant until moisture
wicks in from the unprotected butt end of the log to start the diffusion. Impel Rods,
once diffused, will help protect the purlins from rot and insects.
Joists & Balconies
Extending floor joists out for deck support is not a good idea. I have worked on several
decks where the deck supports have broken off the house, causing the deck to col-
lapse. In most cases, this is caused by the deck supports being planed flat so the deck-
ing material can be installed. The problem is that, once the deck supports are planed
flat, water is trapped between the decking material and deck supports. Another prob-
lem is checks in the joists that trap moisture in the heartwood, and yes, heartwood
does rot. By the time
you have identified the
rot, you could be into
some costly repairs.
If the rot is minimal
and has not traveled
past the log wall, and
at least 70% of the log
joist is still solid, then
the rot can be dug out
and these areas filled
with epoxies. If the rot
is extensive and has
traveled beyond the
log wall, you will have interior second-floor structural issues that are expensive to
repair. Before the new decking material is installedI would treat the top portion on
the repaired log with copper napthenate, use metal flashing, and then install the deck-
ing material.
Finishes
Restoring failed finishes and stains is probably 60% of our work. This is interesting
because I have worked on log homes that have had very little maintenance, as men-
tioned above, and others that are as new as three years. I have noticed that newer log
homes experience finish failure that, in most cases, is due to improper prep work
and/or using inappropriate or inexpensive log home finishes.
Exterior finish is more critical than interior finish for the obvious reason of exposure.
Climate in your area is also important when considering a finish. I personally test the
stains from many manufacturers. I use samples of different wood species, prep them
as I would in restoring a log home, and document the date, time, and weather condi-
tion for each sample. Then I apply the stain and wait up to a year to see my results. I
usually do this in the fall when the weather changes. I am currently using an oil-based
penetrating finish, and I am testing a waterborne finish that I am considering.
What you want, no matter where you live, is a penetrating finish. Stay away from
film formers. Logs have to be able to allow water vapor to go through the finish. If
there is a film-former stain on the house, the water vapor is going to get trapped. In
Number 61 LogBuildingNews 3
time: the moisture from the trapped
vapor will pop (separate) the finish
from the log, or will cause rot, or
both. Film-formers can also blister
from ultraviolet exposure.
An old finish can be removed by:
chemical strippers, cob blasting, or
CO
2
blasting. I have used cob blast-
ing for several years on both interiors
and exteriors with excellent results.
The downside to cob blasting is the
mess it makes. Even with tarps it is impossible to catch all of the
cob media. We tell customers that we can recover around 80%
of the blasting material.
Cob blasting does raise the grain; though if the operator
knows what hes doing it will be minimal. Furthermore, we care-
fully sand with electric sanders to knock down any raised grain.
How much of the grain will be raised is based on how aggressive
you need to be and what your taking off. As mentioned above it
has a lot to do with the experience of the operator. I like the
Porter-Cable, random orbital sanders, model number 7336 with
hook and loop sanding padsMirka brand 60 grit paper.
If cob blasting cannot be used, chemicals do a great job. The
chemicals used are sodium hydroxide as a stripper (ph 13), with
oxalic acid (ph 0 to 3) used after the stripping process as a neu-
tralizer and brightener. Both of these chemicals are dangerous
and should be used with extreme caution. There are other strip-
pers on the market that are safer, however most of them need a
dwell time of 24 hours on the log and they must stay wet the
entire timenot always easy to do.
Several years ago in Washington State, a stain manufacture was
sued because their stain never fully dried after application, and this
caused severe mold problems. I saw this failed stain on log homes
and it got so bad there were mushrooms growing on them.
But because the stain hadnt dried it was impossible to remove
using the cob blasting method. The cob blasting would basically
just push it around instead of removing it from the log surface.
Another method of finish removal is dry ice (CO
2
) blasting
which is similar to cob blasting, but is an excellent way to
remove tacky finishes. This process uses dry ice pellets that
resemble grains of rice and has a temperature of 110 F. When
the dry ice hits the surface, it causes a process called thermo-
shock. As the substrate temperature decreases, it becomes brittle,
enabling the dry-ice particle to break up the failed stain. The
beauty of it all is that the CO
2
dissipates into the gas carbon
dioxide so there is very little blast-residue to clean uponly the
failed finish. Dry ice works especially well inside log homes since
the cleanup is minimal.
Bill Finley is the principal of West Coast Restoration LLC, a log
home restoration business in Bellingham Washington. Contact
information is available at www.westcoastrestoration.com
4 LogBuildingNews November | December 2006 | January 2007
By Rob Pickett
After about 3
1
2 years, the IS-LOG committee of ICC has moved a
final draft to ANSI for approval of the consensus document and
process. Upon ANSI (American National Standards Institute)
approval, ICC400 Standard for the Design & Construction of Log
Structures will be ready for publication.
Over the course of the writing and review process, the three
drafts generated over 550 comments to which the committee
responded. It will continue to operate as an active ICC Standards
Committee, but its role will change to hearing questions and
comments as the standard becomes implemented.
A commentary document is planned, with work to begin
sometime in 2007. The commentary will include much of the
information that was submitted for consideration but was too
specific to a particular building system. Also, some information
was moved to commentary because it provided background as to
why or how the performance was created.
The ICC website (www.iccsafe.org/cs/standards/is-log/
index.html) will continue to show the latest updates available of
ICC400, public comments, etc. All are encouraged to check peri-
odically to see when the complete draft is available for download.
Until 1989, none of the model building codes (ICBO, SBCCI,
BOCAI, NES) referred to log construction at all. Then, the thermal
mass provision was adopted in the Model Energy Code. No fur-
ther changes occurred until 1997 when the Urban-Wildland
Interface Code added the provision for log walls (1 hour fire
resistance rating for solid wood walls with a minimum width of
6 inches). The U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development
tried to establish guidelines for acceptance in the 80s and 90s.
Prior to completing the ICC400 standard, IS-LOG Committee
Chair, Rob Pickett, filed a code change proposal to both the IBC
and IRC to reference the new log standard in both codes. With
the IS-LOG completion of the public comment process, the
approved document can now be considered by the Structural
Committee of the ICC (governing the IBC) and the Residential
Committee (IRC). With the understanding that ICC400 needed to
be published in order to be approved, the code change was pre-
sented to the Structural Committee with the recommendation to
deny the changes until it is published. However, the strategy was
revised for presentation to the Residential Committee by saying
that IS-LOG had completed the public comment process and was
submitting the standard to ANSI for approval of the consensus
process.
This was a successful approach, and the change will be listed as
approved for the 2007 Supplement to the International
Residential Code. In the coming months, Pickett will submit a
public comment to show the standard in finished form to the
Structural Committee at the ICC code hearings in Rochester, NY
in May, 2007.
Today, there are more code changes that recognize log build-
ing systems as acceptable forms of construction. Acceptability is a
result of the log home industry bringing the issues in front of the
code bodies and presenting facts based on research and consen-
sus standards. The current references in the codes consist of:
ICC400 Standard for the Design & Construction of Log
Structures Not yet released
(www.iccsafe.org/cs/standards/is-log)
ICC Evaluation Service (ICC-ES) Acceptance Criteria
AC281 Log Structures
2006 International Residential Code (IRC) Sections R602.1.3
Structural log members (grading), N1102.2.3 Mass walls
(all log walls)
2006 International Building Code (IBC) Section 2303.1.10
Structural log members
2006 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC)
Sections 402.2.3 Mass walls (residential)
2006 International Wildland-Urban Interface Code (IWUIC)
definition and exceptions in 504.5 and 505.5 Exterior walls:
LOG WALL CONSTRUCTION A type of construction in
which exterior walls are constructed of solid wood mem-
bers and where the smallest horizontal dimension of each
solid wood member is at least 6 inches
Rob Pickett (www.robpickettandassoc.com), is a technical
consultant to the log home industry and a member of
Timber Technology Network (www.timbertechnology.net),
whose mission is to provide a complete array of techni-
cal services for log and timber construction.
Log Building Code Moves Towards Adoption
Number 61 LogBuildingNews 5
CONFERENCE 2 0 0 7
Where will the Best
Suppliers meet the
Best Builders?
At the 2007 ILBA AGM and
Conference April 2628, 2007
in Abbotsford, BC
For more info: 1-866-202-2345 or www.accutechinnovations.com
Cut upto 70 angles. + or - 1/4 accuracy
Convert any size chainsaw into a
portable saw mill
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seen with a chainsaw
Transport or store all your chainsaw mills
PRECISION PORTABLE CHAINSAW MILLS
This years conference is shaping up to be better
than ever with increased opportunities for Suppliers
to showcase their products and services to the
International Log Building Industry. With increased
sponsorship opportunities, increased levels of sponsor-
ship and new ways to showcase your products, if you can
attend only one conference trade show in 2007 this is the one
to attend.
Special attention has been given to ensure that our sponsor
suppliers receive increased time with delegates by locating the
trade show area right in the thick of all the conference activities;
offering value added sponsorship opportunities to Major and
Contributing Sponsors; and increased time to network with del-
egates over the three day show.
Whether you are a small or large supplier to the Log Building
Industry, this is the event to attend. If you have not received the
2007 Sponsor Guide, please contact us to have one forwarded
to you. Contact Patti LeFrancois, Conference Chair, to secure
your sponsorship now at 1-866-374-3557 or by email at
plefran@shaw.ca
6 LogBuildingNews November | December 2006 | January 2007
With the Baby Boomers reaching senior status, we are all notic-
ing changes to our customers wants and needs. Gone, for the
most part, are customers that are looking for a back to nature
log cabin. Now they are seeking luxuries and stability that com-
bine their life-styles and desires, with the age-old warmth and
longevity that only a log home can give.
Planning for Conference 2007 is now in full swing and your
conference team is focusing this years workshops and seminars
to meet our member needs for new and innovative ideas to
assist you in charting your business future to meet the changing
markets and climates that are affecting the industry.
Pre-conference workshops are being planned to give you
hands on training and with ample opportunity to make lots of
noise and sawdust.
Chainsaw Carving Renowned chainsaw carver, Mike McVay,
will be providing a two-day workshop on chainsaw carving giv-
ing you the opportunity to express your artistic side with your
favorite tool. Stay tuned for details of this exciting workshop and
be ready to warm up your saws.
Getting the Most from Your Bandsaw Mill Forintek is
developing a two-day combination hands-on and technical
workshop on how to get the most value (and profit) from your
mill. If you have a bandsaw mill, or are thinking of investing in
one, this is a must.
Intricate Stair Building we are hoping to offer a three-day
combination hands on and technical program to take the mys-
tery out of intricate stair systems.
Workshops that will be offered during conference will offer a
variety of hands on and technical training in the areas of Fine
Carving, Occupational Safety, Business Communication Skills;
Stress Management; Physical Fitness; Computer Drafting
Applications; and Design Considerations.
We have some new facilitators coming to Conference, and we
are bringing back many of your favorite speakers from previous
conferences.
We look forward to seeing you at conference this year and
promise to make it a memorable experience for you.
CONFERENCE 2 0 0 7
Charting Our Course in Changing Times
Where the Best Meet the Best
By Patti LeFrancois
Number 61 LogBuildingNews 7
Michael StoneKeynote Speaker
We are excited to announce that well known author and con-
sultant, Michael Stone will be our keynote speaker as well as a
guest facilitator for a workshop during conference. Michael is
the author of the best seller Markup and Prot, A Contractors
Guide. If you dont already own a copy of this book, after you
hear him speak, we are sure you will want a copy, and Michael
has promised to bring a supply for members to purchase.
SessionMarkup, Margins and Cash Flow
During this session Michael will focus on techniques to calculate
markup or margins on job costs to arrive at a sales price that will
cover the costs of operating the company. He will review job
costs, overhead, and show a way to make a reasonable profit of
at least 8% for all work. He will also review why companies have
cash flow problems and how to resolve those issues. Time per-
mitting, he will also review various math formulas relating to
cash flow, unbudgeted overhead expense calculations, and how
to set up an Operating Capital Reserve Account.
Keynote Address
Michael brings a wealth of experience in the construction indus-
try direct to the ILBA. His keynote address is being formulated to
cover such things as the marketing process, advertising in the
changing marketplace, and tips to maintain a marketable log
building operation. Check out Michaels website at
http://www.markupandprofit.com/ and see why we are excited
to have scheduled his appearance at Conference 2007.
Get Ready to Brag
Back by popular demand for Conference 2007, is the
Members Showcase Slide Show and Project Expo.
Showcase Slideshow
This is a great opportunity to share and showcase your work
with members. Send a CD of your photos (maximum 15) by
March 3rd, 2007 to Patti LeFrancois, 2021 High Schylea Drive,
Kamloops, BC, Canada V2E 1L4. You can also e-mail your digital
files to Patti at plefran@shaw.ca. Small projects
are welcome; we want to see a variety. Come
share your creative skills. We will organize
your photos into PowerPoint presentations in
advance, all you have to do is be there. Let
Patti know your plans: 250-374-3557 or
1-866-374-3557.
Project Expo
The Project Expo is an opportunity for our geo-
graphically extensive community to see the
richness of the work being accomplished in the
log building community and to study details of
the exhibited projects. Conference attendees
are encouraged to cast votes for a favorite
project and the Peoples Choice Award will be
given to the project receiving the most votes.
Renovations are also welcomed.
Entries are usually presented through display
boards, but other forms of presentationsuch
as photo albums, models, and sculptureare
also welcome. Each entry should include the
name of your company, the name of the
project, the project date and the project loca-
tion. Additional text is at your discretion. Let us
know if you plan to enter Project Expo 2007.
Passports Required
A passport is needed for all U.S. citizens arriving by air into
Canada, as required by the U.S. Department of Homeland
Security. U.S. citizens, please allow for 6 weeks to get a first-
time passport. If you do not have your original birth certifi-
cate, then allow a lot more time.
(No visa required for U.S. passport-holders to visit Canada.)
U.S. citizens traveling by ground are not required to have a
passport to visit Canada until 2008. The rules are changing
often; you can find updates on the U.S. State Department
website which also has information on how to apply for your
passport:
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cbpmc/cbpmc_ 2225.html
8 LogBuildingNews November | December 2006 | January 2007
Everyone knows what chainsaw carving is.
For years it was represented by scruffy rus-
tics carving splintery bears at fairs or in
vacant lots. It was a curiosity, whose
appeal was the speed with which a person
wielding a powersaw could produce a
product rather than the carving itself. It
was more performance art than fine
art, more race than sculpture: noisy,
messy and the result was best left out-
doors, among the flowers and grass and
was certainly nothing you'd want to bring
into the house.
All that changed with the arrival of
small saws and special carving bars which
allowed woodcarvers to do detailed work
on a scale much larger than anything they
could accomplish with a hammer and
chisel. Affordable small electric tools like
die-grinders, angle grinders, and orbital
sanders, with a huge variety of acces-
sories, simplified the detail-carving
and finishing process. What remained was
the noise, exhaust, and hazard of
a gasoline-powered chainsaw
used for the initial carving. It was
still an outdoor activity.
Enter the new electric chain-
saw, small, light-weight, fairly
quiet and easy to start. Its draw-
back was the lack of speed and a
tendency to overheat. But being
able to use it indoors was a
tradeoff to standing outside in
the rain. Also, it could be taken up on a
scaffold or ladder and used to carve a log-
end that was already in place. The rustic
has been somewhat gentrified and log
house ornamentation is becoming much
more common, returning as it were, to its
Scandinavian roots.
What I plan at the Vancouver
Conference is a workshop on figures
carved into the ends of logs. We'll cover
grain and stress in the log and follow up
with the design and layout of two popular
figuresthe bear head and the eagle
head. We'll scale them to fit the log,
make patterns, then carve and finish them
using power tools (including chainsaw, die
grinder, angle grinder, and orbital sander,
so if you have these tools, bring them
along). The allotted two days should give
everyone a carving to carry home and I
expect we'll open the heart of an artist or
two in the process.
Mike McVay has been carving since the
1950s, and can be contacted by email at
mmcvay@whidbey.com
CONFERENCE 2 0 0 7
Chainsaw Carving Workshop
By Mike McVay
Number 61 LogBuildingNews 9
CONFERENCE 2 0 0 7
Are You Doing Donkey Work?
By Michael Stone
Time Management is one of the most
misunderstood and most abused elements
of our business lives.
There are three basic uses of time in
your life. The first, and by far the most
important should be the time with your
family. Do you want more time with your
family? Then lets look at the second use
of time donkey work.
What is donkey work? It is the time
you spend chasing your tail, doing things
that will not increase your bottom line,
and in fact might cost you money.
Not delegating is a major problem with
most contractors that Ive spoken to
across the country. Here is where my
Cardinal Rule # 4 kicks in. You must put
your ego in your pocket and trust that
someone else can do a particular task as
well or better than you can. Doesnt make
any difference what the item is, if you can
find someone else to do a given task
Delegate. Even if they cant do the task
as well as you, big deal. As long as it is
done adequately, that should be good
enough. Too many people in this business
get hung up on the idea of we build
great quality into all our jobs. That is what
we are known for! Yes, but others can
provide quality work for you. Delegate.
Delivering materials to job sites. Oh the
pain of it all. Millions of dollars are wasted
each day by the owner of a construction
company running around delivering mate-
rials to job sites. If you are doing that, you
are wasting not only your time and
money, but it should be ample warning to
you that you have not delegated responsi-
bility for material procurement to someone
on the job site as you should have.
And, now my favorite subject to rag on
some of you about, Working On The Job
With The Tools! More millions are wasted
here each day also. Put the tools away
and run your business. The best you can
ever hope for working with the tools is to
make a living. Maybe, if youre young,
have lots of smarts and know what youre
doing, you can make a good living.
Bottom line, you will never make any
money. Physically you cant work enough
hours, nor can you bill enough hours each
week. If you are over 35, you should have
all the education you need on how to
build a given job. It is time now to put the
tools away and run your business. A good
rule of thumb for time management in a
construction company is that the owner
should spend 50% of their time on mar-
keting and advertising and 50% of their
time running the business.
Now I know Im going to get some
squawks from readers that dont believe
this, or are convinced that they must be
on the job site. So, those of you that have
been to the M&P seminar, and have put
your tools away, or have started to put the
tools away, would you send me an e-mail
and tell me what your profit picture has
done since you put the tools away and
started running your business? I would
greatly appreciate the input. I know a
bunch of you promised me in class that
you would put your tools away and you
have. We would love to put feedback in a
future newsletter to show what happens
to company profits when owners start
running their business instead of letting
their business run them. Thanks for the
help here.
OK, so what is the third use of time? It is
staying focused onmaking a profit. Every -
thing and anything else you do in your
company is donkey work. No, you prob-
ably dont want to hear that, but it is true.
If you are not focused on making a profit,
then you are focused on donkey work.
Forget about being competitive, that
is an absolute money loser. You must be
profitable. Forget about delivering materi-
als to a job, delegate. Forget about work-
ing with the tools, hire it done.
Forget about sitting in coffee shops or
association meetings with your buddies.
That is time you could be spending on a
whole laundry list of things for your com-
pany. And last but not least, forget about
donating your time to associations or
other groups (unless it is with your family).
Donate your time to your family, they are
the most important business you have.
Do these things and watch your bottom
line grow to the minimum 8% net profit.
1999-2005 Construction Programs and Results
Michael Stone has more than three
decades of experience in the building and
remodeling industry. He wrote the book
Markup and Profit; A Contractors Guide,
published by Craftsman Book Co.
Michael offers coaching and consulting
services for construction companies
throughout the U.S., as well as audio and
CD programs for business management,
and is available for speaking engage-
ments. He can be reached by e-mail at
michael@markupandprot.com, by phone
at 1-888-944-0044, or on the web at
www.markupandprot.com
Advertisers in This Issue
Accutech . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
BC Log & Timber Industry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
CBR Products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Cowls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Dietrichs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Emseal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Foard Insulated Panels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Good Shepherd Wool Insulation . . . . . . . . . . 21
GRK Fasteners . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Insulspan Corporation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
J. Rouleau & Associates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Joe Scaffold . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Log Home Store . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Nicola Log Works . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
P.A. Drafting & Design . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Pat Wolfe Log Building . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Perma-Chink Systems Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
RCM Cad Design & Drafting . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
RSM Drafting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Schroeder Log Home Supply . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Streamline Design . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Summer Beam Books . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
The Continental Products Company . . . . . . 4/7
The Sansin Corporation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Timber Framers Guild . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Timmerhus Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Wayside Press . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
10 LogBuildingNews November | December 2006 | January 2007
TechTalk
MORE TI PS AND TOOLS
Splitting Rubber Band
John Boys found a huge rubber band on the highway that
was put to good use for splitting stumps into kindling.
Flex Plumb Rule
A bubble level screwed to a flexible ruler provides a quick
way to draw short plumb lines on a curved log. This ruler
has a factory-applied cork backing, which makes it non-
slip. Built by Peter Haney. PHOTO ROBERT CHAMBERS
Adjustable
Brush
From John Boys: Brush
on a telescoping alu-
minum handle that can
be set to various angles.
Sawmill Log Roller
By John Boys
I did not put a hydraulic log turner on my new mill because of the
damage it causes to finished surfaces.
For very large logs (2,000 lb and heavier) we use the crane and slings
to roll logsbut that involves two or three people. And for smaller logs
the peavey is the tool of choice.
But, for those in-between logs I attached a small 1,400,lb hand-
winch to the mill carriage. We move the carriage of the mill so it strad-
dles the log at a good place to grab it, choke a lifting sling around the
log, hook the winch cable to the sling, and crank. One man can gently
roll a 1,500 lb log with little effort and good control.
Number 61 LogBuildingNews 11
We have received news that the American Lumber Standards
Committee has decided to not pursue their new log grading rule
that could have been used by anyone for grading building logs.
There had been one meeting of a Task Force in August, 2006
(see LBN 60, page 13) and things were looking good. But when
the Log Homes Council pulled out of the task force in late
November, the ALSC staff decided to stop all work towards a
national grading rule for logs.
LHC wrote to the ALSC that their members account for
approximately half of the log home production in this country.
But this statement ignores that the LHC members account for
perhaps less than 7% of all the businesses that use logs for
house construction. And now, 93% of all log builders will not
have access to what would have been an open and published
log grading rule and design values.
Log grading will still be required for all log homes, but log
builders will now have no new options to get their logs graded.
As a result, TPI (Timber Products Inspection) will be practically
the only log grading service available to builders of handcrafted
log homes.
It would be unfortunate if there were only one place to get
log grading servicesit is certainly in the interest of the market-
place (and to homeowners and log builders alike) to have more
than one source for log grading services.
Log Grading Setback
12 LogBuildingNews November | December 2006 | January 2007
On a project last year that we delivered to Ontario we ran
into some bad weather. The site was the highest point of the
province, and got hit by it all. We delivered the shell in
November, and as you can see in the photos, the first big snow-
storm of the year smashed into us during the assembly and
re-erection.
The projects general contractor mentioned to me the air
bubble from the back of Fine Homebuilding #51, and I
immediately remembered that project, so we both pitched the
idea to the owner, and several good bottles of wine later, we had
the okay to proceed.
The temporary shelter
was 80-feet wide by
120-feet long, and took
us three days to set up.
How effective was it?
Because the site was
remote and exposed,
the GC had been having
trouble hiring help, but
within a week of the tent
going up, it seemed like
every skilled tradesman
in a 100km radius was
banging at the door,
hoping to be let in
and hired.
With just a little bit of
wood heating, it was
warm enough inside for
most of the winter to lay
masonry, to chink, and
eventually to stain the logs. Even when we didnt heat the tent it
was 10 C (18 F) warmer than outside air temperature, and of
course, there was no wind chill.
The work environment inside the tent was also safer, and had
very even natural light. Adding a few extra lamps, we could put
in nine-hour days when needed during the winter. We stored
materials inside, out of
the snow and weather,
and the finish carpenters
set up a sizeable work-
shop with stationary
tools, and more.
I would estimate that
the comfortable work
environment
cut about a month off
the production sched-
ule. And while renting
the shelter cost
CAD$30,000 for four
months, it may have cut
costs by more than
$140,000.
Bad Weather? Got it Covered.
By John Boys
Number 61 LogBuildingNews 13
WELCOME!
NEW COMPANY
MEMBERS
Crown Jade Design &
Engineering Inc.
Eastern Adirondack Home and
Design
Foard Panel
LOG Blockhuser Zimmerei &
Holzbau GmbH
Premium Wood Works
SFS Intec Fastening Systems
Uniquelogs
RENEWI NG
COMPANY
MEMBERS
1867 Confederation Log
Homes
679394 B.C. Ltd dba Ram
Creek Log Homes
Angels Log Homes
Art Maison
Back Country Log Homes
Baron Insurance Group
Beaver Creek Log Homes
BG Stadig Handcrafted Log
Homes
Chinook Log Homes
College of the Rockies, Timber
Frame Program
Doubletree Logging
Easi Access Industrial
Distributors Inc.
Flynn Log Homes
Fraser River Log & Timber, Inc.
Greatland Log Homes
Husqvarna Canada Corp.,
Jonsered
Integrated Pole Ltd.
Keweenaw Bay Log Homes
Logs & Timbers
Nordic Spirit Timberworks, Inc.
North Region Log Homes
Pacic Lumber & Shipping LLC
Pat Wolfe Log Building School
Perma-Chink Systems Inc
Precept Group Insurance
Brokers
RSM Drafting Services
Stihl Ltd.
Suret Log Homes Ltd.
The Finnish Handcrafters
Association
Tolko Industries Ltd.
WARSS
West Coast Restoration LLC
NEW I NDI VI DUAL
MEMBERS
Brogden, Keegan
Correll, Jeremy
Croker, Eric
Edwards, Linda
Graham, Greg
Laine, Peter
Lindsey, Shannon
March, Jeff
Strike, Dave
Sweeney, Stephen
RENEWI NG
I NDI VI DUAL
MEMBERS
Anderson, Quinten
Blanchet, Jacques Yves
Buehlmann, Ivo
Bujas, Dan
Dalton, Patrick A.
DeFrancisco, John
Frei, Arnold
Furtado, Tony
Horning, Tad
Louwerse, Bill
Mickelson, Steve, SE, LEED, AP
Morrill, Matt
Murphy, Higgs
Nicoll, Randy
Shackelford, Kerry
Stockburger, Howard
Wood, Mike
RENEWI NG
EMPLOYEE
MEMBERS
Anderson, Sabine
New and Renewing Members as of December 31, 2006
14 LogBuildingNews November | December 2006 | January 2007
Professional log builders working at their
own facilities have their time-tested sys-
tems of labeling logs and moving build-
ings to the customers property. Those
putting up their own structures may have
worked in a close-to-home, convenient
place to avoid the exhaustion and time-
loss of long travel each weekend while
working on their rural, final site. For the
owner-builder, or anyone doing this for
the first time, particularly in the case of a
small building, here are some suggestions
on procedures, equipment and safety.
Assume our very basic structure has four
walls and one stub wall on each of the
long sides, a roughed-out access door on
one end, three sill logs with tenoned or
dovetailed log floor joists, loft joists, three
log kingpost trusses, two sets of purlins,
and a ridgelog. Further suppose that most
openings are not yet cut, with only head-
er logs flattened.
A labeling system for logs must be
durable, visible, and comprehensible to all
involved in the moving. Confusion is your
adversary. Some avoid compass directions
in labels or diagrams because they are
likely to be different between the tempo-
rary and permanent sites. Labels must be
instantly and equally apparent to helpers
on the ground and to the lifting equip-
ment operator.
The labels must be easy to remove later
without solvents, cutting, or sanding.
Posterboard from the office supply store is
cheap and easy to obtain. Thin colored
plastic sheeting is even better, especially if
there is much rain prior to the move.
Colors should be pastels for good contrast
with black lettering. Buy at least eight dif-
ferent colors and cut the posterboard or
plastic film into four-inch squares. These
will be fastened with staple guns and sta-
ples (to keep nails from the ground of the
building yard and the final sitefor tires,
roofing nails are the worst). However, if
your logs will be floated to an island or
down a river, and thus undergo rough
handling, something stronger than staples
might be useful.
Give each of the six walls its own color,
and a letter from A-F. Although some
builders tag both ends, I have seen more
clarity by labeling only one end of each
log with the appropriate color. If you tag
both ends of the logs, you may arguably
create unnecessary confusion during the
unloading of the trucks.
With permanent black ink marker, des-
ignate every log with its colored tag, e.g.,
the sill log to the left side of the building
will be A-1, the right sill, B-1, and up with
the numbers from there. The center sill,
under the stub walls, could be a separate
color. It is best to tag logs only on the
ends to avoid having tags scraped off dur-
ing transport, as might happen if tagged
on the sides of the logs. Main floor log
joists can be labeled on their top flats,
while loft joists or tie logs, protruding
through the wall because they are square-
notched, can be tagged on their right-
hand ends with a separate color. Ends of
truss bottom chords as well as front ends
of plates, cap plates, purlins and ridge are
similarly identified. If openings have been
cut, tags can so designate, e.g., C4LD,
which would refer to the log left of the
door, in the front wall, and 4th from bot-
tom.
Set four random but level points on
opposing walls near the corners inside of
the buildings long side, second log up.
Pound a 10d nail at each point, leaving a
uniform inch of the head exposed.
Measure diagonally, and as accurately as
possible, to the opposite nails. Write down
and save these diagonal distances. Do the
same with another set of random diago-
nals just below the loft, but above head
height. Spray the nail areas with a spot of
bright paint to indicate their importance.
These diagonals must be reproduced
exactly, by adjusting your rectangle while
you are re-erecting the building, or logs
will fit badlyand only get worse.
Take a photograph of the structure from
only one perspective, say 15-20 meters
out from the right front corner. You
should be able to see and include one end
of each log on your photo, except the
stubs on the unseen side, which can be
denoted in a separate overhead view. Your
image, however basic, must contain all of
the color, letter and numeral information.
Provide copies of the photo to everyone
who will be involved.
Unless the lifting system with which you
put up your building is sufficiently new
and roadworthy, you may be renting a
crane with competent operator or a
hydraulic knuckleboom log loader mount-
ed on a semi-trailer. The trucks must have
proper bunks or racks for log-hauling and
sometimes the trucker will possess special
permits if going through different states
or provinces. The load must be fastened
down.
The crane or loader operator, riggers
and tag-line helpers must have experience
and skill in moving log buildings. If straps
have been left between each log by the
builder for lifting, a rigger should know
how to use them. Two-way radios should
be available and hand signals must be
memorized. An inappropriate signal could
cause a nasty accident Moving day is not
the time to learn how to run equipment
and handle valuable logs competently and
safely.
Having plenty of tools and gear at the
ready will save valuable time. Tools
include levels, saws, crowbars, hammers,
sledge, peaveys, staplers, generator,
extension cords, portable lights, heavy
drills with reverse and extra bits. Deep-
sockets and breaker-bars will come in
handy for bolted purlins, or even trusses if
you have to disassemble them. You may
have already done the vertical drilling for
electric wiring and perhaps for thru-bolt-
ing or loose wooden dowels. If not, you
can do this while the building is going up,
but dont forget to allow extra time.
A small three-cornered metal file will
come in handy in case threaded rods get
damaged. And while the insulation and
gasket material of your choice are being
put into the lateral grooves, leave the
A Plan for Transporting and Assembling Log Structures
By Ron Brodigan
continued page 23
Number 61 LogBuildingNews 15
In Log Building News 60, I wrote about our new knife-plate
method of attaching log posts to foundations (or rafters to con-
crete walls) by making the final connection by welding the steel
fixture that is attached to the log to a steel plate that is cast into
the concrete. This makes it much easier to get the connections,
and the structural members, in their proper X-Y (length-width)
location without requiring much accuracy from the masons.
But there can still be the problem of getting the connection at
the correct height. Some masons can embed the weld-to plate
into their concrete within 1/2-inch of correct height, but some
cant. Heres a way to overcome height problems given to you
by the masons.
By adding four bolts to the bottom of the log posts steel tube
riser pipe, as shown in these photos, you will be able to fine-
tune the height of each post. Once the post is in the correct
location (X-Y), then we adjust the bolts in or out with a wrench
to make the post plumb, and the correct height (Z-direction).
Once you are happy with position and height, then tack the
bolts to the steel plate that is embedded in the concrete, and
then use separate steel fish plates that are welded to both the
posts steel tube riser and to the plate embedded into the con-
crete. These add-on plates are necessary for a strong connection
and they span the gap between the bottom of the posts riser
tube and the embedded plate.
Also notice that we use 30-pound felt paper between the log
post end grain and the steel fixture. With the proper draw-bore
on the pins, this will embed into the end grain and prevent
water that condenses on the steel from getting into the log.
Variation on the Knife-Plate Theme
By John Boys
16 LogBuildingNews November | December 2006 | January 2007
Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs) can be a faster, more affordable
and more energy efficient system for roofs and dormers if cer-
tain design techniques are acknowledged early on in the plan-
ning process.
SIPs are an insulated foam core that is bonded to two slices of
oriented strand board (OSB) in order to create a sandwich
panel. This panel performs like an I-beam where the foam is the
web and the skins are the tension and compression members.
A variety of insulation materials are available and include
either expanded polystyrene (EPS), extruded polystyrene (XPS)
or polyiso. Panels range in thickness and length depending on
the spans and R-value necessary to meet the local building code
requirements. They typically range in thickness from 4 to 12
inches and can be up to 24 feet long. The average roof spans
range between 12 to 16 feet.
SIPs roof panels typically attach directly to the log purlins and
log ridges with long corrosion resistant panel screws. SIPs can
also be used to create large eave and gable end overhangs that
handle heavy snow loads. This can be done
without extra carpentry by cantilevering the
SIP beyond the wall of the building.
One SIP technology thats becoming
increasingly popular in the log home indus-
try is using tongue and groove clad panels.
This is been driven by many designs that
use relatively large rafter or purlin spacing
requiring the use of 2X or even 3X planking
to span between them. It can be cost effec-
tive to use structural insulated panel clad
with 1X planking. In this case, the cost of
the SIP is offset by the thinner planking and
the labor reduction of having one installa-
tion step instead of three or four.
If the desired ceiling finish is drywall, cur-
tainwall panels or drywall clad SIPs can be
used depending on the span of purlin or
rafters. Generally if the purlin or rafter span
is 48 inches or less on center, curtainwall
panels provide an extremely cost effective
solution.
On longer spans, drywall clad structural
panels must be used. In both cases its good
practice not to have drywall exposed in the
soffits. When panels are cantilevered to
make the overhangs, split skin curtainwall
panels can be used or, in the case of dry-
wall clad structural panels, the drywall
would not cover the soffits portion of the
panel.
SIPs are well suited for use as gable end
walls and self supporting dormers. As SIPs
are available in a wide variety of lengths,
the triangular upper gable end wall can be
made out of SIPs with very little waste. With
the strength inherent in SIPs little additional
structure is required to support the roof.
SIPs can also be used to make shed or
gable dormers of most any design without
Insulated Panels for Log Homes
By Jeff Dunham and Paul Malko
Number 61 LogBuildingNews 17
additional log, timber or other carpentry. For small or moderate
size dormers, it is very common to assemble the entire dormer
on the ground and places it in one piece on the roof with a
crane. This reduces labor and increases safety.
Many SIP manufacturers offer full pre-cutting services where
SIPs are delivered to the site cut and routed to the roof design.
This reduces the amount of labor on site and makes the install
schedule less weather dependent. Additionally, site safety is
improved since less work is being done on the roof.
In all construction industries, SIPs are becoming most well
known for their higher R-values. Compared to a stick frame, SIPs
have very little thermal bridging which result in a much tighter
envelope and higher whole-wall R-values. In any structure, ther-
mal bridging, air infiltration and convection within the bay will
diminish a walls R-value. However, once installed, SIPs retain
96% of their R-value while conventionally framed fiberglass (or
any batt insulation) retains only 65% of their R-value.
Using SIPs can make business sense and provide a high quality
enclosure for your customers. Every SIP company offers a little
bit different product, and installation method. Speak to a few
companies in order to find a manufacturer that meets your
needs.
Jeff Dunham and Paul Malko are Project Engineers at Foard
Panel. For more information 800-644-8885 or visit www.foard-
panel.com
Installing SIPs on
log roof system.
PHOTO: TUCKER
MOUNTAIN LOG HOMES
FOR S ALE FOR S ALE HELP WANTED
C L A S S I F I E D A D S
LOG BUILDING TOOLS STARRETT &
MACKIE scribers; heavy duty drawknives up to
30"; peeling spuds; chopping & nishing axes;
broadaxes; adzes; GRANSFORS axes; ENGLISH
slicks; ROBERT SORBY, HENRY TAYLOR, FOOT -
PRINT & PHEIL chisels and gouges; JAPANESE
slicks, chisels, saws, ink lines & ex squares; hand-
forged Flarens, shovel gouges, at & scarf slicks,
drawknives & draw-gouges; BARR Specialty Tools;
peavies; cant hooks; lifting tongs; log dogs &
cleats; log horses; water stones; Diamond
whetstones; NORTHWEST calipers, tenon cutters
& long auger bits; ship augers; chainsaw mills &
attachments; MAKITA & MAFELL planers, saws &
chain mortisers; MACKIE log building books &
videos. FREE 32-page catalogue.
MAGARD VENTURES LTD, 8365 Domagala Road,
Prince George, BC, Canada V2K 5R1
Tel: 250-962-9057 Fax: 250-962-9157
Attn: Maurice Gardy
magardlogtools@telus.net
1975 Bantam S588 18 ton Rough
Terrain Crane Very good working condition.
Builders that know Bantam Cranes will tell you
about their ease and simplicity to operate,
maintain and repair compared with Grove,
Linkbelt, P&H etc. as well as availability and lower
cost to parts. Very strong, quick and fuel efcient.
Rated for lifting 1610 lbs. at 85 feet or 5600 lbs.
at 50 feet. 72 feet of hydraulic boom or 92 feet
with jib. Very sound value at $32,500.00
Canadian plus GST. Located west of Calgary
Alberta Canada. Phone toll free: 1-877-932-3992
or email to: info@moosemountain.com
1979 Bantam S688 20 ton Rough
Terrain Crane Very good working condition.
Builders that know Bantam Cranes will tell you
about their ease and simplicity to operate,
maintain and repair compared with Grove,
Linkbelt, P&H etc. as well as availability and lower
cost to parts. Very strong, quick and fuel efcient.
60 feet of hydraulic boom or 80 feet with jib.
Priced very low at $22,500.00 US. Located in
western Illinois USA. Phone toll free: 1-877-932-
3992 or email to: info@moosemountain.com
Great yard crane: 78 Koehring Conventional
Truck Crane, 35 ton, 110 ft boom. Asking 45,000
Contact: Brian Campbell 250-955-2485
Dry House Logs Available 30+ loads per
month of 10-12" top sort, 30' to 50'+ lengths.
Smaller diameter or larger top sizes than our
normal sort can be requested. Logs sorted for
taper(1"/10'), spiral, rott, bow, crook, etc. Spec
sheet can be provided if requested. Please feel
free to contact us with any any questions.
Mark Workman, Montana Dry Log,
93 5th Lane, Fort Shaw, MT 5944
Tel: (406) 467-3199 www.houselogsales.com
For Sale The ILBA has a 2004 Wardhaul at
deck trailer, approximately 24 feet in length with
either a 6000lb or 7000 lb axle. The cost of the
trailer in 2004 was between $6500.00 -
$7000.00. The replacement cost of this trailer is
about $8000.00. It is in excellent condition, with
about 1500 miles on it. The asking price for this
trailer is $5000.00 Canadian. Please contact Ann
at the ofce at 1-800-532-2900 if you would like
more information.
HELP WANTED
Log Crafters Wanted Mid-level (3-5 years
experience) to entry level (students from a
course) needed. While dual US & Canadian
citizenship or Class 1 truck drivers license
would be a benet, it is not necessary. Another
option, we will offer to subsidize training costs
of non-experienced dual citizens in our next
log building course. Applicants must have
Canadian citizenship or Landed Immigrant
status. With Moose Mountain you will be
involved in patented and warranted air and
weather tight fully scribed joinery, exciting
projects and the possibility of travel with a
company that is almost 30 years in business.
Earnings dependent on skill and experience
please call to discuss.
Call us toll free at 1-877-932-3992 or email
info@moosemountain.com.
Did you know Environment Canada has
determined Alberta enjoys Canadas overall
nicest climate and we are situated in the most
moderate area of Alberta all with the Rocky
Mountains at our doorstep. Alberta has one of
the lowest costs of living plus the very lowest
tax, where do you want to have your future?
To see the caliber of projects Moose Mountain
builds, visit our photo gallery at:
www.moosemountain.com
Lead Timber Framer Two Dog Timberworks
is looking for an experienced TFer with at least 3
years full-time, professional experience. Must be
able to demonstrate experience with Western
softwoods, layout on dimensional & organic
material, cutting prociency, machinery
maintenance, job leadership, and strong raising
know-how. We are a smaller innovative company
that strives to attract challenging projects all over
the country. See our work at
www.twodogtimberworks.com. Join us in the
beautiful NW corner of Washington State and be
a part of a great team that loves what we do! Pay
D.O.E., full benet package, rewarding work.
Contact Laurel or Pete Slisz at
(360)-366-5350 or e-mail us at
info@twodogtimberworks.com.
Need Two Log Builders for Permanent Full
Time Work. Required Now.Located in Quebec.
$18 to $28/hr + benets; depend on experience.
Join Us and Enjoy Quality Building and Complex
Roof Structure. Call Jean or Nancy Rodrigue at
819-832-2167 between 6 to 8 pm EST.
Motivated individual with construction
experience, graduating top of the class from the
University of Wisconsin-Stout with a Degree in
Construction looking for a position within the log
building industry that will allow me to grow into
a management position. Very determined, self-
motivated, and willing to relocate. Can be
contacted at the following:
Josh Peck, 29003 Long Lake, Danbury, Wisconsin
54830, Phone 715 (259-3220) or email
peckjosh@hotmail.com
Experienced full-scribe log builder
wanted for year round, full-time work. Big White
Pine logs. Good working conditions, minimal
travel, good pay and benets. Rural and beautiful
Northern Vermont near Connecticut River and
White Mountains of New Hampshire. 3 hours
from Boston, Montreal and coast of Maine.
Outdoors oriented person with good
woodworking and math skills. To apply send or
email resume and references. The Wooden House
Co., Ltd., 3714 North Rd., S. Ryegate, Vermont
05069 Phone: 802-429-2490 email:
john@woodenhousecompany.com
Apprentice Timber Framer Two Dog
Timberworks is looking for an Apprentice TFer.
Must have general woodworking experience
and a solid working knowledge of hand and
power tools. We are a smaller innovative
company that strives to attract challenging
projects all over the country. See our work at
www.twodogtimberworks.com. Join us in the
beautiful NW corner of Washington State and be
a part of a great team that loves what we do!
Pay D.O.E., full benet package, rewarding work.
Contact Laurel or Pete Slisz at
(360)-366-5350 or e-mail us at
info@twodogtimberworks.com.
The Log Connection is currently seeking
three - four highly motivated, enthusiastic
individuals to become part of our design team.
Two positions are available for drafters with a
minimum of two years architectural CADD
drafting. Two positions are available for
accomplished drafters/designers with ability to
complete highly detailed log home construction
drawings within a specied time period is a
denite asset. Duties will include the creation of
working drawings for custom log homes based
on preliminary designs, production design and
detailing, shop drawings as well as modications
to existing designs. Scope of work may range
from medium sized residential to large
commercial projects. Preferred experience would
include log home design/drafting. Provide
resume and samples of past CADD work,
attention to: Mr. Dave Sutton, The Log
Connection, 129 Nanaimo Ave. West, Penticton,
BC Canada V2A 1N2
18 LogBuildingNews November | December 2006 | January 2007
Classieds continue on page 20
Number 61 LogBuildingNews 19
PA DRAFTING & DESIGN
e-mail: PADnD@alltel.net
WAYNE BRUNNER
RIDGWAY, PA. 15853
Tel : 814-772-9184
Custom Log Home Designs
Will travel to your job site
22 years of experience
Notching
Contestant scribes and cuts a
shrink-to-fit saddle notch on
a 12 inch log. Each contest-
ant may provide all their
own tools, including their
own gas mixtures. Safety
and protective clothing
must be worn during the competition. This shall include, and
is not limited to: eye and ear protection and chainsaw chaps.
Failure to comply with safety regulations during competition
will result in disqualification.
Notching Rules:
Logs will be set up and ready to scribe prior to start of event.
Time starts when contestant(s) begins scribing. Notches cut in
concurrence will each have their own timer.
Contestant scribes log, rolls over and cuts notch and then resets
log. When contestant is happy with log placement, he or she
signals timer and the watch is stopped. Contestant can have a
helper for moving log off for cutting and back on to set log on
scribe.
There is a no tolerance gap allowance. Logs fit with any visible
gap or nick will be disqualified. A compression gap at top of
notch, not to exceed the width of receiving head, nor in excess
of
3
/4" (12mm) in height is allowed. A sledgehammer, or equiva-
lent log commander, is allowed in final placement of fitted log.
Reference centre lines on logs must also remain justified in final
placement.
Contestant with the fastest time wins. Decision of Log Builder
Games judge is final.
Log Slabbing
Using any combination of chainsaws only, contestant will mark and
slab a minimum 10-inch (25cm) face on a four-foot log. A deviation
from chalk lines will result in a time penalty. Contestant with fastest
total time wins.
Axe Throw
Each person gets three throws at bulls eye. Points awarded for best
accuracy. American Lumberjack Association rules will apply.
Full Scribe
A team of two people will full scribe and notch an 9-foot log (3m)
onto an existing log and pair of corners.
Full Scribe Rules:
Open flyway as per ILBA Log Building Standards
No deep V lateral grooves as per ILBA Log Building Standards
Overall Grand Champion
Contestant with overall accumulated points in all 4 events.
CONFERENCE 2 0 0 7
Start Training Now for the 2007 Log Builder Games
20 LogBuildingNews November | December 2006 | January 2007
HELP WANTED ANNOUNCEMENTS ANNOUNCEMENTS
C L A S S I F I E D A D S
Experienced Log Builder Wanted for
permanent full time position. Send resumes with
references to danielalbert@coyoteloghomes.ca or
fax 613-756-6186. See our work at
www.coyoteloghomes.ca
Log Builders and Timber Framers
Wanted We need 4 to 5 log home builders
and/or timber framers at our plant in Chilliwack,
BC. We will be busy for the whole next year.
Please contact us via email at cancedar@shaw.ca or
phone 604-836-8315 and ask for Gerhard.
Legendary Logcrafters Limited is a hand -
crafted log home producer in Collingwood
Ontario. Due to a consistent annual growth, our
company is adding multiple positions from
apprenticeships to experienced log home
builders. Legendary offers highly competitive
wages and a very structured work environment.
Please email resume to
Legendary@legendarylog.com or fax
705-444-6675 or call 705-444-0400
Handcrafted Log & Timber Frame
Builders Edgewood Log Structures, a successful
Handcraft and Timber Frame company in Coeur
d'Alene, is looking for both experienced and
apprentice log and timber crafters. Wages are
DOE. Full time positions available immediately.
Please send resum to Edgewood Log Structures,
P.O. Box 1030, Coeur d'Alene, ID 83816 or call
(208) 683-3332
ANNOUNCEMENTS
FREE Log Selection Calculator Go to
www.LogBuilding.org and then click on Free
Information. From that page choose the log
selection calculator and download it to your
computer. Requires Excel software to open and
use this le. It gives you T-1, T-2, B-1 and B-2 for
any set of logs.
Free Trees! The Assistant Chief of the city of
Detroit (State of Michigan) Steven K. Leggat is
looking for an individual or company who would
be interested in taking (for free) about 80,000
trees (and about another 150,000 trees in the
next few years) within the city of Detroit. The city
has maps of the location of the trees. Interested
parties can contact him and he will connect the
parties to the appropriate city ofce. The contact
information is: Steven K. Leggat, Assistant Chief,
City of Detroit, Building & Safety Engineering
Housing Inspection Division, Coleman A. Young
Municipal Center, 2 Woodward Avenue, Suite
412, Detroit, Michigan 48226.
Phone: 313-224-3155. Fax: 313-224-2745,
leggats@bsed.ci.detroit.mi.us,
www.ci.detroit.mi.us
New Timber Truss Book available from
The Guild The Timber Framers Guild has just
published one of its nest books and another
invaluable reference for timber framers, designers,
preservationists, architects and engineers. Historic
American Roof Trusses (2006) is a compilation of
six articles which originally appeared in the TFGs
quarterly journal, Timber Framing, plus new
material. Primary author Jan Lewandoski covers
the principles of building various trusses,
including scissor trusses, kingpost and queenpost
trusses, and compound and raised bottom chord
trusses, using historic examples. Ed Levin provides
structural analyses for each type, and Jack Sobon
provides detailed drawings. New material
includes an introduction to trusses by noted
timber engineer Dave Fischetti, a treatise on the
evolution of trusses by Jan Lewandoski, and a
comprehensive glossary and bibliography. The
original research for this book was partially
funded by a grant from the National Park Service
and the National Center for Preservation
Technology and Training.
Price: $30 US, plus postage and handling.
92 pages, 9"x12", color, Smythe sewn binding,
ISBN # 0-9706643-4-6
Available from the Timber Framers Guild at
www.tfguild.org, or TFG, PO Box 60, Becket, MA
(USA) 413-623-9926
Ole Gertz Log Building, horse logging and
select logging. Carpentry, log furniture and log
structures offered. Contract work available.
All types of notches, 30 years experience.
Phone 780-524-8099. Ole Gertz, Box 636,
High Prairie AB T0G 1E0
Brian Lloyd Construction Consulting
Industry Consulting
Building Inspection
Expert Witness
Conflict Resolution
Vernon, B.C.
Tel/Fax 250-549-3545
email bg_Lloyd@hotmail.com
The Great Lakes LogCrafters
Association
will meet and their conference dates are 21,22,
23 June 2007 in Marquette, Michigan. Thursday
is the day for pre-conference classes, and
Friday/Saturday are the main GLLCA meeting
days. There might be pre-pre-conference on
Wednesday, 20 June. For more information:
www.GLLCA.org or 651-464-6506.
Ed Shure and Architect Paul Froncek
have teamed up to provide you and your clients
with beautiful designs that begin with a structural
sensibility. Our 23-year professional relationship
enables us to provide site specic design, as well
as coordination with timber craftsmen,
contractors, engineers & building ofcials to
insure a seamless (and mostly painless) process.
We have the experience to create log & timber
designs that you will love to build.
Full 3D drawing capability, including:
walk through presentations
permit & construction drawings
shop drawings for hand or machine cutting
steel & hardware design
structural analysis
For more info contact:
Ed Shure at Timmerhus Inc.
303-449-1336 or ed@timmerhusinc.com
EVENTS & TRAI NI NG
2007
The Allan Mackie and Nicola Logworks
will be hosting a 4-week comprehensive log
building course March 5 March 30th 2007.
Cost is $2000.00 Canadian. For more information
please contact Dai at log@daizen.com
ILBA 2007 Conference and AGM
Abbottsford, British Columbia, Canada
April 26th to 29th, 2007
Space Available
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TODAY!
Number 61 LogBuildingNews 21
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Support the advertisers who support Log Building News. Its a win-win situation!
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BRITISH COLUMBIA
tel: 250.372.3373
fax: 250.828.6848
toll free in BC: 1-800-663-6432
mel@waysidepress.com
PROUD TO SERVE
THE INTERNATIONAL
LOG BUILDERS
ASSOCIATION
Celebrating our 30th anniversary in 2005
R.C.M. CAD Design & Drafting Ltd.
Exclusively designing log homes
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Bus: (604) 850-6723 Fax: (604) 850-6734
E-mail: rcmcaddesign@shawbiz.ca
Web Page: www.loghomedesign.ca
Check out our Web page to learn about us & our product
Ann Miks, Administrative Assistant
ann@logassociation.org
International Log Builders Association
P.O. Box 775
Lumby, British Columbia
Canada V0E 2G0
800-532-2900 toll-free
250-547-8776 phone
250-547-8775 fax
www.logassociation.org
FOR MORE I NFORMATI ON
How to get Log Building News
Log Building News is mailed to all ILBA
members. Articles, photos and letters are
welcomed. The deadline for LBN 62 is
February 20, 2007.
If you submit articles in Microsoft Word

on CD or by email, send them directly to

the ILBA ofce.
Back issues of Log Building News are
available from the Association ofce.
Call 800-532-2900 to order.
Copyright notice
Log Building News is copyrighted in
Canada and the United States. Express
written permission is required from the
ILBA and, in some cases, from the author,
before any article or photo can be
photocopied, distributed or republished.
Contact the ILBA ofce for details.
Disclaimer
The views and information expressed in
articles and ads appearing in Log Building
News are those of the authors of those
articles and ads. The International Log
Builders Association assumes no responsi-
bility for the accuracy of the information
contained herein and does not edit or
investigate any article or ad for that pur-
pose.
Log Building Standards
The ILBA Log Building Standards, the
building code for handcrafted, scribe-t &
chinked log homes are available online at
the ILBA Web site, www.logassociation.org
and can be downloaded to your computer
at no charge as an Adobe Acrobat PDF
le.
Advertising
Log Building News welcomes advertisers.
Please contact the ILBA ofce for deadlines.
Advertisers can send completed ads as:
Press optimized PDF format with fonts
embedded
QuarkXpress format (Mac preferred, but
PC is acceptable) with screen and printer
fonts, images, and graphics included.
PhotoShop (7.0 or below) or Illustrator
(10.0 and below) EPS les.
300 dpi greyscale TIFs or high resolution
JPGs
Microsoft Publisher les must be convert-
ed to PDF format with fonts embedded.
All greyscale images should be scanned at
266 or higher and be in JPG or TIF format.
Black and white line art should be sent in
TIF format scanned at 600 dpi or as
original art for scanning.
Submissions can be made on Zip disk,
CD-ROM, oppy disk or via email. Com -
pressed .sit, .zip or .sea les are acceptable.
Editorial copy can be sent as Microsoft
Word, PDF or QuarkXpress documents, or
saved in text only format (.txt) from any
word processing program.
Contact the ILBA for other digital le infor-
mation by email: info@logassociation.org
Log Building News is a great way to con-
tact the best log home builders. The ILBA
is the largest group of builders of hand-
crafted log homes in the world our
members made well over $250 million of
logwork last year. Please contact the ofce
at 800-532-2900 for an advertising speci-
cation sheet and ad rates.
Joining the ILBA
Membership in the International Log Builders
Association is open to any interested person.
Members get a copy of the ILBA Log Building
Standards, one year of Log Building News, member-
ship certicate, voting privileges, discounted confer-
ence registration, a listing in the Annual Directory, a
copy of the Association Constitution and Bylaws, use
of computerized help wanted and work wanted ads,
and all ILBA mailings and notices. Company mem-
berships have additional benets. The ILBA accepts
Visa or MasterCard. For more information on dues
and member benets, please call the ILBA ofce at
800-532-2900.
President
Ed Shure UNTIL 2009
ed@timmerhusinc.com
Vice-President
Pat Clark UNTIL 2007
pclark@aboutmontana.net
Clerk/Secretary
Position vacant
Treasurer
John Boys (Finance*, Ethics) UNTIL 2008
logworks@uniserve.com
Directors
Egils Artmanis UNTIL 2007
egipapa@msn.com
Ron Brodigan UNTIL 2009
courses@schooloogbuilding.com
Robert W. Chambers (Log Building News*)
UNTIL 2007
robert@logbuilding.org
Rick Hall (Ethics*) UNTIL 2009
rickhall@conveyists.com
Jean Rodrigue UNTIL 2008
rodrigue500@sympatico.ca
ILBA Board of Directors
(Committees in parentheses; * indicates chair)
I N OUR NEXT I S S UE
22 LogBuildingNews November | December 2006 | January 2007
Coming up in Log Building News 62
2007 Conference
More Construction Law
Spiral Grain
Review of Makita Groove Cutter
More Tech Talk
(contribute your ideas and photos today)
SUBMIT YOUR ARTICLES TODAY WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!
Number 61 LogBuildingNews 23
wiring holes clear. Mechanics tools, a few
lengths of extra chain and strapping with
hooks, 2x4 splints in case of a broken
notch, ample ladders, and long 2x10
boards for temporary upstairs scaffolding,
might also be included. Loading up the
pickup with tools and miscellaneous hard-
ware may save an unnecessary trip to
town. Putting very short log pieces of the
building in another pickup could prevent
losing one of them off the larger load
during the trip.
It is a good idea to have some extra
safety equipment on hand for your
helpers. With logs moving around
through the air and tools being used,
hardhats should be used, as well as ade-
quate footwear and appropriate clothing.
If there will be cutting or sanding, then
chaps as well as breathing, hearing and
vision protection should be worn.
Make a rain plan. Know whose insur-
ance, if any, will be covering the different
parts of the move. Keep spectators, chil-
dren and pets at a safe distance from the
action. Moving day can be hectic, so take
breaks. To make all hands comfortable
and productive, provide plenty of water,
coffee, soda, and food throughout the
day and leave the beer for the final cele-
bration when the work is done.
The unforeseen may yet lurk. One
example is the property owner who had
promised to remove trees, fences, utility
lines, or other structures that would hin-
der the crane or boom truck from doing
the reassembly. If the owner hasnt
accomplished this in a timely manner, the
moving crew might be the ones spending
valuable time performing itbefore the
main job can go forward. Another com-
mon situation is the driveway that is
impassable in bad weather, or unable to
handle the heavy, wide, and tall loads.
Have the building ready, use easy-to-
read colored labels, give the final site
another check, get the tools and equip-
ment together, and go over everything
beforehand with the employees or
helpers. Dont make moving day more of
an adventure than it needs to be.
A Plan for Transporting
from page 14
As I leave after three years of serving you
as Secretary of the ILBA, I am encouraged
by the quality of the current board of
directors that is continuing. Ed Shure,
who has been serving as president was
re-elected. Rick Hall who was appointed
by the board to serve out an unexpired
term has been elected. Ron Brodigan is
newly elected, and I think we can look
forward to significant contributions from
him.
I know I have bored many of you in
repeating my sense of wonder at where
the ILBA has gone, lo these past three
decades, since a handful of us founded the
original CLBA with about six members,
toasting our founding with Canadian Club
whiskey in Mary Mackies Old Country
Roses tea-set.
As an early President, I was flattered to
be asked to serve again a few years ago
and I have been much energized and
encouraged by these years of hanging
about at conferences with young and vig-
orous log builders. The work at executive
level has often been exhausting, but ulti-
mately worth the effort. My swan song is
to continue to chair the 2007 conference
in my neighbourhood where I look for-
ward to reconnecting with all of you.
When Dave Gardner and Dalibor
Houdek approached me at the Cherryville
rendezvous to stand for election, I couldn't
refuse. Dave had been my student at the
Mackie School, and Dalibor was my
roomie at Cherryville. Cathy Hansen had
lured me to Cherryville to do a broad-
axing demo. It has been a great three
years. Busy at times. A very stressful year
when dealing with the internal bits of rev-
olution and discontent. But I can heave a
sigh of relief as the current board, recruit-
ing capable troubleshooters, brought the
ILBA out of the black hole.
Elections and Reflections
By Vic Janzen
A Boys Big Book of Jigs
A Log Builders Reference to Jigs, Tools and Techniques
An informative book on jigs and work methods
specic to our trade. Sections include:
Scribing and Layout Stairs and Railings
Cutting and Drilling Stairs and Railings
Holding Mills and Machines
Lifting Work Methods
Accessing Heights Resources
Cool Tools New Stuff
Available to ILBA members only
Convenient binder format allows additional
information to be inserted into appropriate
sections, such as the TechTalk information
clipped from Log Building News. This will allow
for unlimited expansion, creating a personalized work handbook.
Send in your TechTalk ideas for future LBNs as other members have done for you.
Price $95.00 CAN plus shipping
To order, contact the ILBA ofce at 1-800-532-2900 or
250-547-8776 or email info@logassociation.org
JIG BOOK
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On sale NOW!