Josh and Kerin (dot com)

In early December, Aaron and I went to a class done by the Log Home Builders Association, in Washington state.

It was great, and we learned a ton. Our first project is going to be a log fort (like a tree fort, but we're using logs for much of the walls). We've already built a model of what we're going to do and have gotten a lot of feedback from other LHBA members.

We're still in the process of looking for land. We've found a few lots that are promising, but are still reviewing our options and keeping and eye out for something better. The ideal lot would be 4 or more acres, subdividable into two lots so Aaron and I could both build a house of our own, less than $50,000, and in Berkeley WV, Jefferson WV, Clarke VA, or Frederick VA (those are counties, not cities).

We're anxious to get started, but at the same time want to take it slow to find the best deals we can. At the class they actually suggested you take two years before you build looking for land, tools, and supplies. We hope to not wait that long, but we'll have to build slowly, regardless, in order to be able to afford this!

We've compiled a list of the tools and equipment we want to collect. Here it is, in no particular order. Also, the links are too examples of items, not necessarily the exact item we need.

I'm posting this because good, old-fashioned networking can help you find good deals. So, if you have something on this list and want to sell it, or know somebody who does, get in touch with me!

• Gasoline chainsaw, 48-100cc
• Electric chainsaw, as small as we can find (easier to use for long periods without fatigue setting in—fatigue + chainsaw = death)
• Reciprocating saw
• Fairly powerful corded drill (corded so that we don't have to worry about keeping battery packs charged throughout the day)
• Hand winch (come-along) 2-ton minimum
• Chainsaw winch
• Chain Hoist. What we'd really like are 25 or 30 foot, 3 ton hoists. But those are expensive and hard to find. A 1 ton 20 foot hoist should work, if we plan carefully and have a few other lifting systems.
• Block & tackle. We need 4 sets of 6" triple blocks.
• Sledge hammer
• Demolition hammer and ground rod bit for driving rebar into logs. I particularly like that 2 horsepower demolition hammer on Harbor Freight because it's electric and seems powerful enough to get the job done. Most powerful demolition hammers require a pretty good supply of air, which means you also need a powerful air compressor. This one just needs a power outlet (true, it does say it needs 11 amps--a good bit of juice!)
• Impact wrench
• Nail gun (a framing nailer, not a brad nailer--already got that)
  
• Air compressor for nail gun, brad nailer, impact wrench, etc. We need something that will do 4 CFM, or at least cloose to that. The higher the CFM the smaller holding tank we need.
• Line level (also called string levels--you hook them onto a string)
• Regular carpenter's level
• Laser level, preferably with tripod
• Rebar cutter
• Pick & shovel
• Post hole digger
• 50' tape measure
• Timberjack which also works as cant hook
• If we can't get any cant hooks, we'll use peavey, but I'd prefer cant hooks because they will damage the log less.
• Swede hooks--a two man log carrier
• Carpenter's square
• Chisels (1/4", 1/2", 3/4", 1")
• Spuds (lots)
• Log dogs (at least 2)
• Plumb bob
• 12-20 ton bottle jack
• Calipers
• Chalk line
• 30' extension ladder
• 10" C-clamps
• Mortar boards
• Concrete trowels
• Thread file
• 100 feet of chain, 3/8" in 10 foot lengths
• Rigging line, 1/2", 600' long
• 1000 feet of string

So, that's quite a lot of stuff! We'll just find what we can and build with what we have.

Some good sites I've found for locating this kind of stuff:

• Northern Tool
• Harbor Freight
• Bailey's
• Lehman's
• Log Home Store
• Peavey Manufacturing Company (makes more than just peaveys)
• Sportsman's Guide (I'm in their buyers club, and they're always sending out coupons for $10, so I can get club price + $10 off)

I'll update this as we collect things.