Garage Progress - June 27, 2012

    Today I split a log down the middle to make the first two sill logs. (First picture) I then sawed a slab off the sides of two more logs to make the other two sill logs. I forgot how dusty it gets when you are ripping logs like this. Once I ripped them, I applied an oil based stain to the flat side for protection from moisture. I chalk lined down the middle of the cut face on all the logs so I could set up and drill holes for the J-bolts that were placed in the cement stub walls. When I drilled the holes I had to make sure they were as perfectly straight as possible. If they are crooked, you cannot get the threaded rod to thread into the connector nut on the J-bolts. Some of the logs ended up being 9 inches thick.

    The bottom picture shows the first round of logs installed on the walls. They are not bolted down yet as I do not have all of the connector nuts. I realized on Monday that I should have ordered them as soon as I came to Montana this spring. I'll go to Butte in the morning and pick them up. They are supposed to be in  tomorrow. The next round of logs will go much quicker. The difficulty will be in choosing which four logs will match up for the next round.

Starting Garage - June 26, 2012

    Today I started building the garage. I cut and installed all the 2 X 8 treated sill plates with sill seal between them and the cement stub walls. I was planning to set up and cut the first sill log in half but the wind is blowing so hard right now that I cannot measure the logs or set up the string line. I will hit it the first thing i the morning when it is usually calm. Once I get the sill logs cut, the wind will not bother the building process. (Unless I get blown off a ladder when the walls get high.)

    My cousin, Jim and I hauled the forklift out last evening so I can move the logs around.