Jose Kilpatrick
02-22-2009, 11:53 PM
I was visiting my parents this weekend. I was in town for a wedding and stayed at their place. I took the opportunity to cut up a cedar log that I've had drying for a couple of years to do some bird house projects and Me and my dad were discussing a portable sawmill.
He has about 60 acres with lots of old growth trees that I've mentioned I want to cruise to claim a couple to have milled. He is going to buy a chainsaw mill soon for a couple of projects he wants to complete and to get me some boardfeet as well.
So... We were discussing a 'real' portable bandsawmill vs. a chansaw mill and he casually said "Well, if this dang ol' chain saw mill aint what its cracked up to be, then we may just have to go ahead and get one them real sawmills"
I told him that it's quite a bit of money to spend on equipment, unless he wants to get into sawyer work. (but not really considering what he just spent on getting 50 yards of blacktop driveway installed this weekend)
He said, "Well, then I guess you'd have to come down and cut up enough wood to build ya self a cabin down here"
After discussing the idea a bit, he told me that I could pick out a spot on the perimeter of his acerage and build a cabin or retreat or second home or whatever I Wanted.
I gave it some considerable thought. Either buying my own land and building or taking his offer and all the benefits lean toward building a retreat cabin there in the woods where I grew up.
Of course the first reason would be that I wouldn't have to buy any land to begin the project. Secondly, all the equipment I would need could be stored at his shop and what between both of us, we probably have all the tools and resources needed. He's a welder, so he has a welding truck, also has two tractors and knows most of the people that live within a 30 mile radius, so bartering for things will always be an option.
I suppose that one would argue the point of building a cabin so close to one's parents, however, I spend every holiday, including a week during Christmas, at my parents house anyway. So having my own place at my parents place would be a win win.
Then there's the argument of building a house on property one does not rightfully own. But, he told me to pick a spot on a location that wouldn't make it hard to split up the land when he was ready to deed it to me and my siblings. no problem there.
So, after giving it about 3 hours of thought on the drive back home, I realized I've been bitten by the cabin building bug.
So far I've ran into a few variables.
There's the idea of on the grid or off the grid or both.
There the choice on actual size.
Style and floor plan.
and Budget.
The initial idea began as free land, free lumber, and free time in which it would be built. But as I began to think, this and that would be nice, and maybe these things would be required, I came to realize that I may have to balance both necessity and luxury as well as thrift and price.
I do have a lot of questions, and I've got a few of them answered so far, but I'm curious about a couple of things.
Foremost, if we end up cutting and milling lumber to build a cabin, can I build with green lumber, or must I sacrifice the time to allow it to air dry?
Are there any cabin builders on the forum that can direct me to some good websites dedicated to DIY Cabin building?
He has about 60 acres with lots of old growth trees that I've mentioned I want to cruise to claim a couple to have milled. He is going to buy a chainsaw mill soon for a couple of projects he wants to complete and to get me some boardfeet as well.
So... We were discussing a 'real' portable bandsawmill vs. a chansaw mill and he casually said "Well, if this dang ol' chain saw mill aint what its cracked up to be, then we may just have to go ahead and get one them real sawmills"
I told him that it's quite a bit of money to spend on equipment, unless he wants to get into sawyer work. (but not really considering what he just spent on getting 50 yards of blacktop driveway installed this weekend)
He said, "Well, then I guess you'd have to come down and cut up enough wood to build ya self a cabin down here"
After discussing the idea a bit, he told me that I could pick out a spot on the perimeter of his acerage and build a cabin or retreat or second home or whatever I Wanted.
I gave it some considerable thought. Either buying my own land and building or taking his offer and all the benefits lean toward building a retreat cabin there in the woods where I grew up.
Of course the first reason would be that I wouldn't have to buy any land to begin the project. Secondly, all the equipment I would need could be stored at his shop and what between both of us, we probably have all the tools and resources needed. He's a welder, so he has a welding truck, also has two tractors and knows most of the people that live within a 30 mile radius, so bartering for things will always be an option.
I suppose that one would argue the point of building a cabin so close to one's parents, however, I spend every holiday, including a week during Christmas, at my parents house anyway. So having my own place at my parents place would be a win win.
Then there's the argument of building a house on property one does not rightfully own. But, he told me to pick a spot on a location that wouldn't make it hard to split up the land when he was ready to deed it to me and my siblings. no problem there.
So, after giving it about 3 hours of thought on the drive back home, I realized I've been bitten by the cabin building bug.
So far I've ran into a few variables.
There's the idea of on the grid or off the grid or both.
There the choice on actual size.
Style and floor plan.
and Budget.
The initial idea began as free land, free lumber, and free time in which it would be built. But as I began to think, this and that would be nice, and maybe these things would be required, I came to realize that I may have to balance both necessity and luxury as well as thrift and price.
I do have a lot of questions, and I've got a few of them answered so far, but I'm curious about a couple of things.
Foremost, if we end up cutting and milling lumber to build a cabin, can I build with green lumber, or must I sacrifice the time to allow it to air dry?
Are there any cabin builders on the forum that can direct me to some good websites dedicated to DIY Cabin building?