How To Cut Logs For Cabin

The v notch should reflect the diameter of the logs you plan to rip.

How to cut logs for cabin. A dovetail is a carpentry technique to create a joint that interlocks with a corresponding joint. A series trapezoidal shapes are cut into logs to allow them to interlock together. These logs will serve to hold the log you wish to rip off the ground.

Keep the four logs with the largest diameter and length for your sills and top plates. A log cabin that is 24 x 20ft and 9ft high will require 67 logs if the logs are all 10 inches in diameter. After you decide on the cabin dimensions add 4 inches to each and use those numbers to cut the logs to length.

When you know how many logs or trees your build will require walk through your land to identify which trees you ll use. So the logs for this example would be cut 12 and 16 4. Lintel logs above windows and doors also receive a lengthwise kerf cut to accommodate flashing.

Step 2 remove all the bark from the trees. The logs for the top plates should be cut two feet longer minimum than the other logs to support your gable end support logs. On 6 x 8 inch log configurations a 2 3 4 square cut is made to allow this row of logs to set onto the foundation and floor plate in the proper position.

Select two short logs and cut a v shaped notch in the center of each. The jigs shown are for half dovetail notches and take about 2 3 hours to make. The top row on the side walls is called the plate row where the roof system is attached to the walls.

The dovetail notch uses the same dovetail technique for log cabins. Step 1 cut down the number of trees that will be needed for the construction of the log home. Skin your lumber log and place it in the v notches.