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These Courses Are For...
Those with a piece of spare ground on which they have the intention to build something, be it a shed, shack, stable, fishing lodge, cabin or home. Anyone who has an interest in log buildings, forestry or trees. Those who have land and
trees even better. Previous students have included foresters, woodworkers, builders, estate owners and workers, students and people interested in adding value to timber, holiday chalets, sports clubs, outbuildings, the list is almost endless.
The students, men and women, must be over 18, have a strong motivation to learn and be prepared to live with course rules. No great strength is required, or previous background in carpentry or the building industry,although obviously useful. (Unfortunately the site conditions rule out acceptance of most disabled people). Only persons with a relevant chainsaw certificate may use saws on site. We can build cabins entirely without the use of chainsaws though they do speed things up and are easier to learn to use efficiently than axes at first.
For those with the determination to build a log cabin the training you will receive will pay dividends. The cost of materials is far less than for a conventional building, labour is the biggest input. On the course you will make mistakes, no doubt about it, saw the wrong side of the line perhaps cut a square notch too big but the course is where you learn by doing and mistakes are education. Actual hands on experience with techniques, tools, materials and design, together with the logistics and sequence of building will be invaluable when you come to work on your own project.
Course Content
Here are some of the main topics in which you will be participating. There is a great deal to get through, and the learning curve will be steep but persevere and you will learn the best log building skills and an enviable talent!
Timber: Talk on wood characteristics. Rules and tables for understanding timber volumes. How to buy timber for your cabin in the UK, haulage problems etc.
Site Visit: If possible we visit a completed project in the area where a feel of the scale and quality of the work to be undertaken can be grasped,and questions answered.
Peeling: How to take bark off using spuds, spades, drawknives, machines, etc.
Log handling and Lifting: Continual demonstration of systems, safety, handling devices. Discussion of affordable equipment and options available in this country.
Plans: planning and thinking about the layout. Site preparation including squaring up and bevelling of log pillars as foundations. Discussions of other foundations such as timber frames and concrete rafts.
Hand tools: The hand tools used in the various operations (axes, chisels, adzes etc.) will be introduced and used repeatedly. Sharpening the all important art must be shown and then practiced. Chainsaw: N.B. Brush up on use, maintenance and sharpening (though you should do this first). Cutting logs along their length for sills, straight lines, correct chalking, chainsaw planing, cutting grooves and notches and chainsaw paining.
Scribing: This is where you need to pay attention! How to use the double bubble scriber to mark and fit logs together
Grooving and notching: Using axe, adze, chainsaw and chisels to get a chinkless fit longitudinally and vertically along those scribe marks.
Doors and Windows: Preparation of openings to receive frames, allowing for settling. Discussion of options.
Finishes: Discussion of preservatives and coatings. Internal and external.
Roofs: We aim to complete the cabin as far as the roof structure in the basic course. This is usually a post and perlin structure. Other roof systems including log trusses and finishing including turf are discussed.
Here are some of the main topics in which you will be participating. There is a great deal to get through, and the learning curve will be steep but persevere and you will learn the best log building skills and an enviable talent!
Timber: Talk on wood characteristics. Rules and tables for understanding timber volumes. How to buy timber for your cabin in the UK, haulage problems etc.
Site Visit: If possible we visit a completed project in the area where a feel of the scale and quality of the work to be undertaken can be grasped,and questions answered.
Peeling: How to take bark off using spuds, spades, drawknives, machines, etc.
Log handling and Lifting: Continual demonstration of systems, safety, handling devices. Discussion of affordable equipment and options available in this country.
Plans: planning and thinking about the layout. Site preparation including squaring up and bevelling of log pillars as foundations. Discussions of other foundations such as timber frames and concrete rafts.
Hand tools: The hand tools used in the various operations (axes, chisels, adzes etc.) will be introduced and used repeatedly. Sharpening the all important art must be shown and then practiced. Chainsaw: N.B. Brush up on use, maintenance and sharpening (though you should do this first). Cutting logs along their length for sills, straight lines, correct chalking, chainsaw planing, cutting grooves and notches and chainsaw paining.
Scribing: This is where you need to pay attention! How to use the double bubble scriber to mark and fit logs together
Grooving and notching: Using axe, adze, chainsaw and chisels to get a chinkless fit longitudinally and vertically along those scribe marks.
Doors and Windows: Preparation of openings to receive frames, allowing for settling. Discussion of options.
Finishes: Discussion of preservatives and coatings. Internal and external.
Roofs: We aim to complete the cabin as far as the roof structure in the basic course. This is usually a post and perlin structure. Other roof systems including log trusses and finishing including turf are discussed.
Accommodation
Varies with course location, however: Students often stay on or near the course site for free in caravans bringing food bedding etc. Cooking facilities are usually provided. Some course sites have accommodation. B & B and E.M can be arranged with prior notice.
What you will need to bring
A basic set of tools, including; a notebook, camera, axe, chainsaw, chisels, gouge, curved one handed adze, drawknife,
safety helmet with eye and ear protectors, chainsaw trousers, boots etc. Lots of enthusiasm and wet weather gear.
The course will supply Peaveys, scribers, log dogs, lifting equipment etc. Friends coming on a course together can share tools but its better to have your own. Some of the specialist tools involved are available from Dan or his brother Tom the smith.
Who is the Instructor?
Well it's me. Dan Franklin. And why is it me? Because I like forestry, and trees, and timber. I became interested in adding value to timber in or near the woods whilst studying Agro-forestry at Bangor, but to learn the full scribe log building technique I went to Oregon (USA), to Dan Porters log yard, and also attended a course by Canadian Alan Mackie. I have since been building as a contractor managing a number of projects in the U.S, England, Scotland, Portugal and Germany. It is a pleasure to help others achieve their aims. The more log buildings the better! A pool of log builders nationwide would be very useful for the larger projects that occur.
Varies with course location, however: Students often stay on or near the course site for free in caravans bringing food bedding etc. Cooking facilities are usually provided. Some course sites have accommodation. B & B and E.M can be arranged with prior notice.
What you will need to bring
A basic set of tools, including; a notebook, camera, axe, chainsaw, chisels, gouge, curved one handed adze, drawknife,
safety helmet with eye and ear protectors, chainsaw trousers, boots etc. Lots of enthusiasm and wet weather gear.
The course will supply Peaveys, scribers, log dogs, lifting equipment etc. Friends coming on a course together can share tools but its better to have your own. Some of the specialist tools involved are available from Dan or his brother Tom the smith.
Who is the Instructor?
Well it's me. Dan Franklin. And why is it me? Because I like forestry, and trees, and timber. I became interested in adding value to timber in or near the woods whilst studying Agro-forestry at Bangor, but to learn the full scribe log building technique I went to Oregon (USA), to Dan Porters log yard, and also attended a course by Canadian Alan Mackie. I have since been building as a contractor managing a number of projects in the U.S, England, Scotland, Portugal and Germany. It is a pleasure to help others achieve their aims. The more log buildings the better! A pool of log builders nationwide would be very useful for the larger projects that occur.
Further courses may run later in the year - the times and locations of which will depend on demand.
Click here to email me if you want to find out more…
Click here to email me if you want to find out more…