Finished Peeling

I debarked and peeled the last log on Wednesday.
All together it took about two months. Starting out I peeled about three days a week. Which was all I could handle. After a few weeks I was able to peel four days a week. At times I would push myself, either to work a longer day or add a day, which several times ended with a lesson that I needed to pace myself and that time for recuperation was very important.
During the designing of this house, I really struggled to come up with a floor plan that worked on the site and that was build-able with logs. Several times I considered giving up on logs and going back to conventional construction. At one point I was discussing the challenges with my architect, and he simply said "I don't know why you're doing this to yourself."
As I encountered difficult times peeling, that really echoed in my mind.
Around that same time I attended a log builders gathering. I had considered not going, and giving up on the idea of building with logs. Somehow I talked myself into going. While there, Earl, a log builder and timber framer, encouraged me to see it through. Earl had built his own log home, had a sense of how satisfying the experience could be, and tried to share that with me. But he was clear to say "This will be the most difficult thing you've ever done, but it could also be the most rewarding."
About mid December I had completed 18 logs, but I had pushed too hard. I ended up having to take a few days off. I made a trip to my physician and physical therapist to get some advice. I was having quite a bit of soreness in the tendons in my hands. When I would wake up my hands were clinched into fists, I could barely straighten them out. My pinky fingers would have trigger finger for the first hour or so.
I also made a call to Earl, the professional log builder, for some advice. He heard me describe my situation, chuckled and repeated himself by saying "This will be the most difficult thing you've ever done, but it could also be the most rewarding." Earl and I talked for 15 minutes or so. He had quite a few useful suggestions. I got off the phone knowing that the road ahead was going to be difficult, but knew it was something I could do.
I tried out a peeling spud for debarking. At first it was a little akward to use, but with a little technique it proved to be a great tool. The biggest benefit of using a spud is that it uses different muscles. My shoulders got more of a workout which took some getting used to, but gave my hands a bit of a break.

So it's time to actually start building something!

The peeling has begun

I've started peeling the logs.
I use two Barr drawknives, one is somewhat dull and used for debarking. The other is sharpened regularly to "shaving sharp" and is used for the final peeling.
I'm trying to get the logs pretty clean. I use a Makita curved base planer on the knots. I'm removing all of the bark & cambium, except for some around the knots or in areas where the tree was fluted. The logs will get a once over right before use.
I made some log saw horses. So far they've worked well. They're light and easy to move, as opposed to stumps that weigh a couple hundred pounds each.
During peeling I use a forklift to rotate the logs. I've tried a peavey but at 3500 lbs they don't budge. I use straps set as a choker towards the bottom of the log and lift with forklift. They rotate pretty smooth.
I'm using a telehandler, Gradall, to move the logs around. I'm able to boom them into the shop for peeling. Nice to be indoors, out of the wind and to have light as it's getting dark pretty early. Also cleanup is pretty easy on the slab floor.

Log delivery

Last load of logs arrived. Four truckloads altogether. 50 logs ranging in length from 37' to 46', weighing 3200 to 4500 lbs.
Logs were delivered on flatbeds with log bunks & self unloading log trucks.

I went up to the logging site with my salesman from Sierra Pacific to meet the fellows doing the harvesting and see for myself what the logs look like.
The logging is being done by a small family owned outfit. It was great to meet them and to see the effort they are making to provide some great quality logs with little to no damage from handling. Processing machines are not being used, which commonly damage the outside of logs. Loggers walk through the woods to select trees, then fell and limb the tree with a chainsaw. Logs are then skidded back to the landing. The loggers were quite fascinated that I was going to be building a home out of raw logs and insisted that I cut one down myself.
The logs being harvested are fire salvage logs, they still have green needles but will probably not make it through the year. The fire was the "Day fire", which burned in Modoc County in early August.  Some nice large Ponderosa pine logs.

Foundation is poured and the lot has been graded. Be back in the spring

Day of the pour

Underground utilities are installed, driveway is graveled and footings have been dug. Ready for formwork