The first dovetail on the ultimate dovetail project!

[Alan DuBoff]

This was not entirely done with hand tools, but the majority was done with chisels, planes, levels, framing squares, scribes, etc... the only non-hand tool I used was a chainsaw to cut the initial cuts, but everything was cleaned up by hand.

Here's a pic of the first dovetail on one of the sills:

(linky pic to blog entry)

http://www.traditionaltoolworks.com:8080/roller/aland/resource/first-sill-dovetail.jpg (http://www.traditionaltoolworks.com:8080/roller/aland/entry/my_log_home_is_finally)

[John Keeton]

Alan, I would let you borrow my BS paring chisels, but don't think they would get the job done!! I will check out the blog -

[Alan DuBoff]

Alan, I would let you borrow my BS paring chisels, but don't think they would get the job done!! I will check out the blog -
Hey, thanks for the offer John, but we have some Barr slicks and chisels. I didn't bring any of my own tools, except for a broad axe I shipped (should be here tomorrow or Friday.

I'll be updating my blog as I make progress.

[Jacob Mac]

What an amazing project. Good luck

[Alan DuBoff]

Making some progress! Starting to fit the next row of full size logs.

This is some timber, like nothing I've worked with, ever. It's fascinating how the joinery works together in the half dovetail. Water drains away from the joint on both sides. But it is always the top log that locks in the bottom. Much different than furniture dovetails. Much of the works is done with hand planes, chisels, mallets, and layout tools. The layout is fascinating to me.

(linky pic to blog entry, a cool snapping turtle was visiting me this morning!)

http://www.traditionaltoolworks.com:8080/roller/aland/resource/corner-example.jpg (http://www.traditionaltoolworks.com:8080/roller/aland/)

[Jim Becker]

I guess that's not going to be a blanket chest or anything like that... LOL

[Robert Rozaieski]

No Wenzloff, LN, Adria, LV (insert your favorite maker here) dovetail saw used for this one eh!?

I love log homes! The wife and I are currently looking for a nice piece of property on a lake now to secure for our log cabin in the future. That looks like a fantastic project Alan, though I'm not sure I'd have the patience/skill/desire to build an entire house myself. You deserve a lot of credit. That's one big undertaking. Good luck!

[Joel Runyan]

Ah. Envy! :(

[Steve Clardy]

ah. Envy! :(

+1....... :(:d

[Chris Padilla]

So are you knocking down your current house to put this one up, Alan?! ;) haha

Looks pretty sweet!

[Alan DuBoff]

So are you knocking down your current house to put this one up, Alan?! ;) haha

Looks pretty sweet!
Nah, nothing like that. I still plan to live in San Jose for the next 4 years at least, and most likely keep the home. I have a piece of lakefront property for the home. I have known this log craftsman for a number of years, and was planning to have him build the home for me.

These timbers are amazing, yet I do the majority of work with a simple scribe, low angle stanley block plane. I have 2 Stanley planes, and one is a newer one, but they are tuned and work well.

I put this first full tail on the sill today:

http://www.sawmillcreek.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=119751&stc=1&d=1243909702

I also spent a fair amount of time today with a drawknife...

http://www.sawmillcreek.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=119752&stc=1&d=1243909717

[Alan DuBoff]

I'm flying back home tomorrow. It was honor to learn how to craft log homes from such a accomplished craftsman. I have long admired the work of Tim Bullock (http://bullockloghomes.com/), and I can't express my gratitude for his willingness to teach me how to craft logs like this. We have become great friends, and I will always remember his willingness to share his knowledge with me.

Dovetails have long been considered the epitome of handcrafted work for woodworkers world wide, and there is no better way to display it than in a home itself.

Setting a 3000# log in place and seeing the joinery close up and fit is just as every bit exciting as it is as the first dovetail joints I've done with furniture.

I hope to complete this home and leave it for my kids.

(linky pic to more pics on my blog)

http://www.sawmillcreek.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=120108&stc=1&d=1244406705 (http://www.traditionaltoolworks.com:8080/roller/aland/)

[sean m. titmas]

alan,

right next to building furniture and cabinets my ideal profession would be to build timber framed houses using traditional joinery and methods. i had the opportunity to build one a few years ago.

i used slicks, planes as well as a worm drive and right angle drill. the building was 10x12 built with traditional joinery methods without the use of any metal fasteners. although the county permit office required 8 lag bolts at the wall to roof connections to comply with hurricane sheer ratings.

the project took me about 3 months to build with myself and a part time helper to lift the trusses. unfortunately there is not much call for traditional post and beam construction here in sw florida and i havent had a call for one since than.

there is a great amount of satisfaction that come from being able to cut and hew large logs and beams to fit together and provide shelter.

[Tony Zaffuto]

Nice Alan! Quite a commitment too!

Hope you keep us posted with pictures.

T.Z.

[Ray Frederick]

Great pics Alan.


Sean - Great post and beam project, the look of that is fantastic.

[Alan DuBoff]

i used slicks, planes as well as a worm drive and right angle drill. the building was 10x12 built with traditional joinery methods without the use of any metal fasteners. although the county permit office required 8 lag bolts at the wall to roof connections to comply with hurricane sheer ratings.
I don't have my final plans just yet, but will soon. I have a structural engineer that is waiting for them, he's agreed to let me use stainless cable with a spring plate. Many folks use allthread rod, but stainless is better, IMO. The other option is powder coated pipes, but that's a lot more work.

the project took me about 3 months to build with myself and a part time helper to lift the trusses. unfortunately there is not much call for traditional post and beam construction here in sw florida and i havent had a call for one since than.
I haven't completely figured out how I'll finish it, a couple friends offered to do some help, and I might try to get my son to help me, but he'll be going off to college in Sept. I may hire a local kid to help. I will lift the timbers with a forklift.

Your timberframe looks nice! I previously had a design that used round log timberframe and structural insulated panels as the skin, but decided to scale it down and do the dovetails. This style of joinery really creates a solid home.

It is so cool to dial in the joint with a small block plane and a framing chisel...watching them finally fit together after you've shaved and planed down to a flat surface is magic!

Tony, yeah...this is a HUGE commitment!

Thanks for the kind words all.

[Alan DuBoff]

Nice Alan! Quite a commitment too!

Hope you keep us posted with pictures.

T.Z.
Tony,

I must say I don't update this thread on SMC too often, as I don't post here much at all anymore.

I am making some progress, but all of it not galootish.

1) I found a yard to build the home at, but haven't finalized it just yet. I am to take possession of it on July 1st.

(linky pic to blog entry)

http://www.sawmillcreek.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=121464&stc=1&d=1245721075 (http://www.traditionaltoolworks.com:8080/roller/aland/entry/i_found_a_rental_yard)

I also figured out a major piece of the puzzle, what I will use to lift/move the logs. As you saw, these are HUGE timbers.

(linky pic to blog entry)

http://www.sawmillcreek.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=121469&stc=1&d=1245721348 (http://www.traditionaltoolworks.com:8080/roller/aland/entry/another_major_piece_solved_how)

I update my blog pretty regularly, so if you want to follow this project, that's the place to get the most recent info.