Reassembly

Reassembly went well. It took about two and a half days to unload the two trailers, place logs on the building and install the lag bolts.

The second floor has been framed and the ridge beams have been set. 

Transport

One of the challenges of building the log home has been getting supplies and services to support the process. Log home construction has some very specific needs. As an instructor told me, "You are the one that knows what you need and must insist on that. Many times a business will want to sell you what they commonly sell, which may not be what you need."

The logs are heavy enough that they can dent and ding when bumped into things, so minimizing the number of times they are moved is critical. During disassembly they were placed directly onto a trailer. And when unloaded they went from the trailer directly onto the building. This meant that I would need the trailers for an extended period of time, something that trucking companies were not interested in. I talked with several trucking outfits, two that specialized in log and pole transport, and came to the conclusion that I was going to need to put together my own equipment for the move.

When the logs were delivered in the fall I snapped a couple pictures of the bunks they had built for their flatbeds, so I had some idea of what would work. This is the sort of thing you can't rent, so I built two sets and plan to sell them.

I rented two flatbeds on a weekly basis, rented a truck from Ryder and hired a driver.

Disassembly time lapse

In memory of the late and great, Chico

I  got Chico in the spring of '03. He was on every job from that time forward. He had an obsession for fetching and a keen memory of everyone that had ever played with him. He would see someone that had played with him in the past, get excited and bring him something to throw. If a ball wasn't available he would happily settle for a rock or even a pebble.
Chico was not only a big part of my life but a big part of my work life. This is the first project without him. He developed cancer and passed away last fall. Just a few weeks before the logs were delivered. When I found out about his condition, I knew that I wanted to bury him at the home site. As I've been back at the site working this spring I can see him frolicking around with all of his personality and mannerisms.

Chico

April 15 2003- October 15 2014

Disassembly begins

During disassembly is when I will drill all of the logs for electrical and when the gaskets will be installed. Once gaskets are installed it's onto the flatbeds for transport.

The electrical chases have all been marked on the top round of logs, basically a mark above every junction box. I begin by drilling through the top log and slightly into the log below. When the top log is removed there will be holes started in the next course to guide me as to where to drill. I have glued a bullseye level onto my drill so my holes should be fairly plumb, and should line up well.

I'm also countersinking and pre drilling all of the structural screws. Once drilled I insert a dowel to measure the screw length, mark this length on the log and on a list to be ordered. Because of taper in the logs and variations in diameter, the screw lengths will vary. So far they're between 15" & 20".

I'm using a "P" gasket inside of the lateral grooves and notches. Goes in pretty easy, stapling with a wide crown lathing stapler. Both sides of the lateral and notch get gasketed as well as some short pieces around electrical chases. Using a small scrap cutoff of log you can see how the gasket will compress and come in contact with the adjacent log. Builders that take their time gasketing are getting blower door test results that surpass frame homes.

Right before disassembly

The building as you will see it from the street and driveway. I tried to use some of the nicest and biggest logs on this front corner that I'll walk past every time I come or go.

Got this with my lunch the other day.

Fitting..