green lumber - joists & beams ?

[guzzimaster]

I have 4 100' Douglas Fir trees I need to fall before building. I need to know about using fairly green rough cut D.F. 2X12 or 2X10's for floor joists and 4X12 for beams. I'd like to use this wood within 1 month of milling, so they would be green. I've heard conflicting stories about using green rough cut. If you have successfully done this I'd sure like to hear your process.
Any advice greatfully appreciated.
Roy

[Kyle - Utah]

Hello Guzzimaster,

I know nothing of the details that you are writing about. I have never built with milled green wood. What I do know quite well is that it is best to cut the logs in Winter rather than to wait for them to fill with sap in the Spring. I would strongly recommend cutting them as early in the year as you possibly can. Of course this is all irrelevant if you live in Florida or California, but it is quite relevant in the temperate States.

Best Regards

[Tim Bullock]

Simply allow for the "green" effect when framing which is different than using dry.........Remember that material will shrink and fir will twist if not restrained..........Do it right the first time.

[MikeS]

Roy

Your pen name, "guzzimaster", does that have anything to do with motorcycles, a "goose"? Nice Italian bikes!

[Patrick Jenkins]

Mike,
Roy is a " Die Hard Bike Rider". He is a freind of mine I turned onto this site. He rides rain or shine. Yes he has a Goose. And another bike too. He puts more miles on those things than you can believe. He is building a "Sing Log" house north of me.
I should have made a Guzzi lamp instead of the Harley lamp I am stuck with now.
Roy when you come down I will show you the lamp.
So Mike what kind of bike do you have ?

[MikeS]

Patrick

BMW, a R1150RT oilhead is my new ride this year, but I was on a red K-whiner prior. I was planning to ride to the ILBA meeting next week, from Grand Marais to Ottawa, via either Chicago or the Michigan UP and Detroit. However, the snow is revising that plan. I'm stuck flying out of Thunder Bay. Bummer...

Take a look at http://www.teamstrange.com/glc_results.htm rider #22. I ran Butt Lite 3 last year too, my first time, plus quite a number other similar excursions. Your friend may be interested in some events similar. Quite the hoot, and lots of excellent like minded folks who simply like to get out and ride! Have Roy ping me private e-mail if interested in more links and resources.

The Hardley lamp is ok. It's good to look at, although I hope it doesn't leak too much oil on the table. (LOL) It's the Italian, German, and Japanese iron that are designed to be ridden.

[guzzimaster]

Originally posted by Tim Bullock
Simply allow for the "green" effect when framing which is different than using dry.........Remember that material will shrink and fir will twist if not restrained..........Do it right the first time.
Thanks Tim, and others,

My trees are beautiful 100' Doug Fir - straight as can be. Oh, this is all happening in Seattle Washington.
I "think" I can cut 4 of them by April 15th. Should be able to mill them at the end of April into 2X10's, 2X12's, and I'd like to do some big beams and also get 4 full logs for columns if possible.
I'm pretty afraid to build with the green lumber. I don't want to screw this up.
I plan to sticker/stack and air dry the boards for 10 weeks. I'm told that should be sufficient????
The beams I think should be stacked tight/covered with plastic, and try NOT to air dry them, but keep them tight/covered till I use them 10-12 weeks after milling. Does any of this sound like it should work????
Thanks,
Guzzimaster

[guzzimaster]

Originally posted by MikeS
Roy

Your pen name, "guzzimaster", does that have anything to do with motorcycles, a "goose"? Nice Italian bikes!

Hi Mike,
I've been a Moto Guzzi man since '74. Still have the '70 Ambo I picked up back then. I'ts a pretty cool old bike. However, I am now a "Combat Commuter" on a '97 Honda ST1100. Very capable bike. I think your othe post said you have a 1100RT? That would be the only other bike I could compare the ST with. Nice rides Eh! I'm Real Glad I'm a biker. It is easy to get a thrill when you need it, great mpg, great head fixer. Dangerous, yes, that I sorta think is the draw.
So, what about Green lumber building? Would you try what I'm trying or not???
Roy

[guzzimaster]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by guzzimaster
[B]Thanks Tim, and others,

SNIP

To clarify some:
2X10's and 12's in 12' to 15' lengths
4X6's 8'-12'
4X10 - 12'
4X12 - 1-20' 3-15' 1-12'
Full round logs 4 @ 9'

Any advice / warnings / Atta boys welcome ;)
See Ya,
Guzzimaster

[Patrick Jenkins]

Roy,
The snow is almost melted enough to drive into my buddies with the Sing Log house. He used some full round green logs for supports for the loft. I know they were green because I watched him cut them down. Then he tried to kill me by making me help him lift them to the up to the first floor.
Oh sure a come a long is handy, but sooner or later the log leaves tera firma. Hold it steady he tells me. Pretty soon a few hundred pounds of swinging tooth pick pushing me towards a certain squashing.
I pre warned him I come from a long line of cowards. At the first sign of danger I was out of there. I will show you the log.
I hope you get a answer soon. Several of these builders are headed to a conference on log building.
Flannel shirts, Canadian Beer, and log builders...
Imagine a group of them throttling up chain saws singing.
" Get your motor running, cutting on the scribed side.
Sawdust will be a Flyin, heard Bullocks gonna be a buyin."
Well I think you get the picture.
:D