OT: Building in isolated location

[Jerry_H]

Never get tired of pictures and videos, Bill.

Jerry

[pete]

Do you get much or any snow in that area Bill?

[seal killer]

All--

Here's a kinda cool update!

My brother-in-law hauled his saw mill down to our place. I had saved all the logs from clearing the home site and excavation. I have plenty of oak, white oak, red oak and pine. (Lots of pine.) We milled some 1/2", 1" and 2" boards and some beams (one of which is too heavy for both of us to lift one end) and some cants. We also created a beautiful mantle piece out of red oak; 11'l x 17"w x 7"h.

On the mill to-do list is a 30 foot beam to span the living room and several 16 foot beams to form a cosmetic structure under our vaulted ceiling. I think I have one log that will make two of the 30 foot beams. If not, then I have plenty more logs to make another 30 footer.

https://youtu.be/hwQSjPhoWVs

--Bill

[SteveHGraham]

Interested in about thirty tons of live oak? I'll give you a great deal.

[neanderman]

Bill, that's awesome. To have saved all those logs and to have access to a portable bandsaw -- I'm a little jealous.

Looks like you have a good place to stack and sticker them, too. If they're under cover like that, you won't have to worry about them -- just let them air dry and you should be golden.

Do slap some old latex paint on the ends, though. That will help keep the checking to a minimal.

[seal killer]

neanderman--

I painted the ends of the logs after I stacked them (above) ground. I never understood exactly what the paint does. Insects? Cracking?

Thanks.

--Bill

[pete]

With raw logs or rough cut cut planks or beams that paint or even melted wax covering the end slows the drying through the end grain Bill. That minimizes the checking you get. Because of the way a tree grows it drys and shrinks fastest through the end grain. Next fastest and will show some shrinkage but in comparison to end grain is still pretty slow is the direction across the grain. And the length shrinks very little to either of the other 2. The way the wood is orientated while being processed into planks or beams also has an effect on cross grain shrinkage as well. Quarter sawn (google it) has usually less shrinkage than flat sawn.

[seal killer]

Pete--

Thanks!

--Bill

[neanderman]

What Pete said.

It just helps even out the drying. It won't totally stop end checking, but it will help control it.

[seal killer]

All--

Here is Part 1 of the garage and shop build video. I don't know how many parts there will be.

The next part should include the metal roof installation. (I hope!)

https://youtu.be/TRNAbXU3W6Q

--Bill

[neanderman]

Very nice,Bill. Looks like it will be a great space!

[seal killer]

All--

In this update you will see progress on the metal roof. (By the time of this writing, it should be finished.) Also shown is the beginning of the 3", closed cell spray foam insulation in the house along with some ERV duct work.

https://youtu.be/uLwOZB1Xu0E

--Bill