logcabinfromscratch

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Rafters are 8” at the top and 6” at the bottom(eaves).  They are assembled on the ground in pairs.  Two logs are laid side by side…overlapping 11” at the 8” end.  Clamped…or strapped so they are secure together then drilled so a 1/2” AT(all thread) can be tapped through and connected with washer and nut.  The set is now connected and ‘hinged’ at the center.  Pulleys are then used as normal to lift onto the wall.  Once at the wall the lift points are shifted allowing a second pulley set to be used to pull set over the ridgepole.  As the rafter set is pulled over the ridgepole it falls onto the far wall with great force once past the ‘tipping point’.  Always an exciting moment.  Once on the ridgepole a layout is made and rafter sets are moved into position.  We use 5/8” lags to secure the rafters on the wall and on the ridgepole.  Bonnie and I has some great help while putting rafters up this year…Jason and Katie…both graduates of the Onalaska Log Building School came over with their Monster Van and were lifesavers.  We ended up being short two rafters and had to go back into the woods to fall four more trees.  Jason and Katie made it easy with their Monster Van.  With all the trouble we had getting those trees to lay down we should have just chained up the trees to the hitch of that nasty van and just had Jason drive home.  It sure would have made it simpler!  Thanks Jason and Katie!